새김

Grammar

-(으)니까

because / since

Meaning

-(으)니까 gives a reason: because, since. It is common in everyday speech, and it is the natural choice when you then suggest, decide, or tell someone to do something.

Form

  • Vowel stem

    -니까

    가다 → 가니까

  • Consonant stem

    -으니까

    먹다 → 먹으니까

  • ㄹ stem

    -니까

    살다 → 사니까

Examples

  • 비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요.

    It's raining, so please take an umbrella.

  • 시간이 없으니까 택시 타요.

    There's no time, so I'm taking a taxi.

  • 배가 고프니까 밥 먹자.

    I'm hungry, so let's eat.

Watch out

Command or suggestion after the reason

Both -아/어서 and -(으)니까 can mean because, and in plain statements either often works: 비가 와서 집에 있어요 · 비가 오니까 집에 있어요. When what follows is a command, a suggestion, or a decision you are proposing, choose -(으)니까: 비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요.