-으니Korean connective · TOPIK 3
-euni
One connective with 3 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used when the preceding statement is the cause, reason, or premise for the following statement.
뒤에 오는 말에 대하여 앞에 오는 말이 원인이나 근거, 전제가 됨을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
오래 서 있으니 허리와 다리가 아프다.
Since I stood for so long, my back and legs hurt.
우리 집은 식구가 많으니 항상 집 안이 북적거린다.
Since our family has many members, the house is always bustling.
오늘 수업은 끝났으니 돌아가셔도 좋습니다.
Since today's class is over, you may go home.
대화In conversation
잡채를 만들었어요?
Did you make japchae?
네. 솜씨는 없어도 열심히 만들었으니 한번 먹어 봐요.
Yeah, I made it with no skill, but since I worked hard, give it a try.
A connective ending used to add another fact related to the preceding statement.
앞에서 이야기한 내용과 관련된 다른 사실을 이어서 설명할 때 쓰는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
존경을 받던 선비가 그해에 세상을 등졌으니 세상이 이를 슬퍼했다.
A respected scholar passed away that year, and the world mourned.
일본 제국이 우리나라의 국권을 빼앗았으니 이는 1910년의 일이다.
Japan took away our country's sovereignty, and this happened in 1910.
오랜 작업 끝에 작품이 완성되었으니 이것이 작가의 대표작이 되었다.
After a long effort, the work was completed, and it became the author's masterpiece.
A connective ending used to list words, thoughts, opinions, etc., that are usually the opposite of one another.
주로 서로 반대되는 말이나 생각, 의견 등을 나열함을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 '-으니 -으니'로 쓴다.
예문Examples
영수는 숙제는 시작도 안 하고 많으니 적으니 말만 한다.
Yeongsu hasn't even started his homework, but he keeps talking about how there's too much or too little.
이모는 맞선 본 남자가 키가 작으니 눈이 작으니 하며 외모만 얘기한다.
My aunt only talks about the blind date guy's appearance, saying his eyes are too small or he's too short.
오늘 본 집에 대해서 마당이 좁으니 거실이 넓으니 하며 의견이 분분하다.
Opinions are divided about the house we saw today, with some saying the yard is too small and others saying the living room is too big.
대화In conversation
저 조금만 더 주시면 안 돼요?
Can't you give me just a little more?
주는 대로 받지, 많으니 적으니 말이 많아!
Take what you're given, and stop complaining about too much or too little!
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -으니 mean in Korean?
-으니 is a connective introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A connective ending used when the preceding statement is the cause, reason, or premise for the following statement. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -으니?
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-. The other shape is -니 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -으니 and -니?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -으니?
3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.