Grammar · Joining sentences

-아서 / -어서, because and so

Pattern

[stem] + 아서 / 어서

-아서/-어서 gives a reason: 비가 와서 집에 있었어요 'it rained, so I stayed in'. It follows the -아요/-어요 vowel rule, and 하다 becomes 해서. The same ending also links two actions where the first leads into the second: 가서 사요 'I go (there) and buy it'.

The mistake to avoid

It never takes the past tense itself. Say 늦어서 죄송해요, not 늦었어서, even about something already over. It also cannot be followed by a request or a suggestion; use -(으)니까 for those.

Examples

Romanisation help

늦어서 죄송해요.

neujeoseo joesonghaeyo.

Sorry I am late.

비가 와서 집에 있었어요.

biga waseo jibe isseosseoyo.

It rained, so I stayed at home.

배가 고파서 라면을 먹었어요.

baega gopaseo ramyeoneul meogeosseoyo.

I was hungry, so I had some instant noodles.

너무 피곤해서 일찍 잤어요.

neomu pigonhaeseo iljjik jasseoyo.

I was so tired that I went to bed early.