-기 때문에: “Because…” in Korean Grammar
If 뿐만 아니라 adds a point and -는 반면에 contrasts one, -기 때문에 explains one. It’s one of the very first “advanced” connectors learners reach for, and it shows up constantly in TOPIK writing whenever you need to justify an opinion – which, in Question 53 and 54, is most of the essay.
What Does -기 때문에 Mean?
-기 때문에 means “because:” it states the reason behind whatever comes next in the sentence. It’s versatile enough to use in both spoken and written Korean, and pairs naturally with words like 그 결과 (“as a result”) or 따라서 (“therefore”) later in a paragraph to build a clear cause-and-effect argument.
How to Use -기 때문에 (Grammar Structure)
There are two patterns, depending on whether the reason is a noun or a verb/adjective:
Verb or adjective stem + -기 때문에
시험이 어렵기 때문에 학생들이 힘들어한다. Because the exam is difficult, students are struggling.
Noun + 때문에 (direct – no 기 needed)
교통 체증 때문에 늦었다. I was late because of traffic congestion.
Noun + 이기 때문에 (when the reason itself is a state of being)
그는 외국인이기 때문에 한국어를 천천히 배우고 있다. Because he is a foreigner, he is learning Korean slowly.
Example Sentences
- 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져왔다. Because it’s raining, I brought an umbrella.
- 시험이 어렵기 때문에 학생들이 힘들어한다. Because the exam is difficult, students are struggling.
- 교통 체증 때문에 늦었다. I was late because of traffic congestion.
- 그는 외국인이기 때문에 한국어를 천천히 배우고 있다. Because he is a foreigner, he is learning Korean slowly.
Practice: Try It Yourself
Write three sentences using -기 때문에:
- Explain why you’re studying Korean (verb/adjective + -기 때문에).
- Explain why you were late or busy recently (noun + 때문에, no 기).
- TOPIK-essay style: give a reason supporting an opinion on a topic like environmental protection or technology in education.
Once you’re done, check whether your reason is a noun or a verb/adjective clause – that’s what decides whether you need 기 때문에, plain 때문에, or 이기 때문에. Mixing these up is one of the most common errors at the intermediate level, so it’s worth a second look before you move on.
For more reasoning and argument structures in context, see our TOPIK Writing Samples for full model essays.