Reason: -(eu)nikka vs -aseo/eoseo
The two most common connectives for giving a reason in Korean are '-(eu)nikka' and '-aseo/eoseo'. Both translate as 'because' or 'so', but they are used in different situations.
-aseo/eoseo: objective cause
Use '-aseo/eoseo' when the first clause is a natural cause of the second. It cannot be used with commands or suggestions.
λΉκ° μμ κΈΈμ΄ λ§νμ.
biga waseo giri makhyeoyo.
It's raining, so the roads are jammed.
κ°κΈ°μ κ±Έλ €μ λͺ©μ΄ μνμ.
gamgie geollyeoseo mogi apayo.
I caught a cold, so my throat hurts.
λ¦μ΄μ μ λ§ μ£μ‘ν©λλ€.
neujeoseo jeongmal joesonghamnida.
I'm really sorry for being late.
-(eu)nikka: subjective reason or discovery
'-(eu)nikka' expresses the speaker's own judgment or grounds, and it CAN be used with commands and suggestions.
λΉκ° μ€λκΉ μ°μ°μ κ°μ Έκ°μΈμ.
biga onikka usaneul gajyeogaseyo.
Since it's raining, please take an umbrella.
λ¬Έμ μ¬λκΉ μΉκ΅¬κ° μ μμμ΄μ.
muneul yeonikka chinguga seo isseosseoyo.
When I opened the door, my friend was standing there.
λ°°κ³ νλκΉ λ¨Όμ λ°₯λΆν° λ¨Ήμ.
baegopeunikka meonjeo bapbuteo meokja.
Since I'm hungry, let's eat first.
Discovery: '-(eu)nikka' meaning 'and then I found'
'-(eu)nikka' also marks a new fact discovered after performing the action in the first clause. In this use it cannot be replaced by '-aseo/eoseo'.
| Point | -aseo/eoseo | -(eu)nikka |
|---|---|---|
| Command / suggestion | No | Yes |
| Greetings | λ§λμ λ°κ°μμ (O) | λ§λλκΉ (X) |
| With past tense -ass/eoss- | No | Yes |
| Discovery | No | Yes |
Common mistake
Using '-(eu)nikka' for an apology or thanks sounds rude. Say 'neujeoseo joesonghaeyo', not 'neujeosseunikka joesonghaeyo'.
π‘ Tip: Tip: fixed greetings and apologies such as 'mannaseo bangapseumnida' and 'neujeoseo joesonghamnida' always use '-aseo/eoseo', never '-(eu)nikka'.