-기 때문에 in Korean: “because”

-기 때문에 (-gi ttaemune) means "because" and gives the reason for what comes next. It is a clear, slightly formal way to explain why, and you will see it a lot in writing, news and presentations.

How to form it

How to use it

Put the reason before -기 때문에 and the result after it: "A-기 때문에 B" means "B because A". To give the reason at the end of a sentence, say -기 때문이에요 ("it's because...").

It sounds clear and a little formal, so it fits writing, speeches and careful explanations. In everyday chat, Koreans more often use -아서/어서 or -(으)니까, but -기 때문에 is still fine in speech when you want to stress the reason.

Unlike -아서/어서, you can put past tense on it: 늦었기 때문에 (because I was late).

Do not follow it with a request or suggestion like -(으)세요 or -(으)ㅂ시다. For "It's raining, so take an umbrella", use -(으)니까 instead.

Examples

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Don’t mix it up with

-아서/어서: Also means "because", but it is more casual and conversational, and it cannot take past tense (늦었어서 is wrong, 늦어서 is right).

-(으)니까: Also gives a reason, but it can be followed by requests and suggestions (비가 오니까 우산 가져가세요), which -기 때문에 cannot.

때문에: Right after a noun, 때문에 means "because of" that thing: 비 때문에 (because of the rain). With 이기 때문에 it means "because it is" that noun.

Common mistakes

Using it before a request: 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져가세요 sounds unnatural. Say 비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요.

Mixing up 학생 때문에 (because of the student) with 학생이기 때문에 (because I am a student).

Want the basics first? Read Because & and then (-아서/어서).