Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-는 바람에
because (something unexpected happened) — negative result
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Clause 1 is an unexpected or unintended event; clause 2 is its (usually negative) result in the past. Verbs only, and always -는 regardless of tense.
Forming it
| 자다 | → 자는 바람에 |
| 막히다 | → 막히는 바람에 |
| 고장 나다 | → 고장 나는 바람에 |
Clause 2 is past; no commands or suggestions: ✗ 비가 오는 바람에 집에 있읍시다. Not with adjectives: ✗ 바쁜 바람에.
Examples
길이 막히는 바람에 회의에 늦었어요.
Traffic was jammed, so I was late for the meeting.
휴대폰이 고장 나는 바람에 연락을 못 했어요.
My phone broke, so I couldn't contact you.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄴ 덕분에 is for good results. -(으)ㄴ/는 탓에 blames a cause and works with adjectives too. -는 통에 points to chaos or commotion.