Unit 12: Telephonereasoncause

동사 + -아/어서 (이유)

동사+-아/어서 (이유)

Explanation

Give a reason. "Because…" Links cause to result. Cannot use past tense on the first clause.

Examples

약속이 있어서 못 갔어요

yak-sok-i i-sseo-seo mot gat-sseo-yo

I couldn't go because I had plans

바빠서 전화를 못 받았어요

ba-ppa-seo jeon-hwa-reul mot ba-dat-sseo-yo

I couldn't answer the phone because I was busy

아파서 학교에 안 갔어요

a-pa-seo hak-gyo-e an gat-sseo-yo

I didn't go to school because I was sick

-아/어서: complete usage guide

-아/어서 links reason or natural sequence: 배가 고파서 먹었어요.

Also sequences actions: 가게에 가서 샀어요.

Many textbooks restrict -아서 before commands; use -(으)니까 for “so please…”.

Irregulars (으 drop, 르, ㄷ) affect the connecting form. Drill high-frequency verbs.

Level: beginner. Read the pattern, say each example out loud, then write two new sentences of your own before moving on.

After you can produce the form, open related Chamelingo pages (vocabulary, conjugator, particles) so the pattern connects to words you actually study.

Usage notes

Register: learn the polite 요 form first unless this page is specifically about formal 습니다 style.
Production tip: use the pattern in a short dialogue (question + answer) the same day you study it.

More examples

비가 와서 집에 있었어요.

It rained, so I stayed home.

친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요.

I met a friend and (then) watched a movie.

Common mistakes

Do not translate English word-for-word into “-아/어서”: match Korean order and speech level.
Do not treat near-miss patterns as free synonyms of “-아/어서” without checking meaning and register.