-기 때문에Korean expression · TOPIK 2

-gi ttaemun

TOPIK 2 2급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident.

형태Forms

-기 때문에-기 때문이다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident.

앞의 내용이 뒤에 오는 일의 원인이나 까닭임을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.

'이다', 동사와 형용사 또는 '-으시-', '-었-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

승규가 갑자기 컴퓨터를 바꾼 것은 속도가 너무 느려졌기 때문이었다.

The reason Seunggyu suddenly changed his computer was because it had become too slow.

지수는 항상 성적이 좋았기 때문에 성적이 떨어진 것에 크게 충격을 받았다.

Because Jisu always had good grades, she was greatly shocked when her grades dropped.

모든 사람들의 생각이 똑같을 수는 없기 때문에 갈등이 일어난다.

Conflicts arise because not everyone can think the same way.

대화In conversation

엄마에게 거짓말을 한 건 엄마가 화를 낼까 봐 무서웠기 때문이지?

You lied to Mom because you were afraid she would get angry, right?

네, 잘못했어요. 이제는 거짓말을 하지 않을게요.

Yes, I was wrong. I won't lie anymore.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 되다 -ge doeda An expression used to indicate that something will become the state or situation mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -기로 하다 -giro hada An expression used to decide or promise the performance of the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -는 것 -neun geot -은 것 · -ㄴ 것 · -을 것 An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in a sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be). TOPIK 2 -는 것 같다 -neun geot gatda -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess. TOPIK 2 -는 동안에 -neun dong-an -는 동안 An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts. TOPIK 2 -어 보다 -eo boda -아 보다 · -여 보다 An expression used to indicate that one does the act mentioned in the preceding statement, as a test. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -기 때문에 mean in Korean?

-기 때문에 is a expression introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident.

When do you use -기 때문에?

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-. The other shape is -기 때문이다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -기 때문에 and -기 때문이다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -기 때문에?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.