(으)니까

Description

Adjective/Verb + (으)니까  : This pattern is equivalent to the phrase because of something. The clause that it is added onto is the cause, and the clause that follows it is the result. This phrase is especially used when the result is an imperative or a proposative (let's ...).

Notes

• In the other main usage of this ending, it serves as a temporal marker which also carries a sense of discovery of affirmation of what follows in the next clause.
• Korean tend to omit the 까 at the end, this makes it similar to the question ending Adjective/Verb + 니 however, 니 will never add an 으 between the verb and itself (먹니? vs. 먹으니)

Conjugation Rule

Conjugation Rule

	Pattern	Case	Example
Rule 1:	A/V + 니까	If there is no 받침 or if the adjective/verb stem has ㄹ as a 받침	오다 → 오니까
Rule 2:	A/V + 으니까	If there is a 받침 at the end of the adjective/verb stem	먹다 → 먹으니까

Sentence Examples

Korean	English	Notes
오늘 비가 많이 오니까 만나지 맙시다.	Let's not meet today because of the heavy rain.	Polite informal form
담배를 피우니까 기분이 좋아졌어요.	I feel better because of smoking.	Polite informal form
버스는 복잡하니까 택시를 타자.	Let's take a cab because bus is crowded.	Low form
오늘은 날씨가 추우니까 따뜻한 옷을 입으세요.	It's cold today, so put on warm clothes.	Polite informal form
아프니까 오늘은 쉬는게 어때?	Why don't you stay at home today?Because you don't feel well.	Low form
시간이 없으니까 빨리 먹자.	Let's eat quickly becase we don't have enough time.	Low form
바쁘니까 나중에 얘기하자.	I'm busy now, so let's talk later.	Low form
내가 잘못 했으니까 내가 사과할게.	It's my mistake, so I'll apologize.	Low form
존은 한국에서 오래 살았으니까 한국말을 잘 해요.	John has lived in Korea for a long time, so he speaks Korean well.	Polite informal form

봄이 되니까 꽃이 활짝 피었어요.	It's spring, so many flowers are in full bloom.	Polite informal form
회의를 마치니까 12시였어요.	When I finished the meeting, it was 12 o'clock.	Polite informal form
철수에게 전화하니까 통화중이었어.	When I called Chul Su, his line was busy.	Low form
철수를 만나 보니까 아주 좋은 사람이더라.	I met Chul Su and found him to be a really nice person.	Low form
이 약을 먹으니까 감기가 나았어요.	When I took this medicine, my cold got better.	Polite informal form

Pronunciation

• Special pronunciation rule?

See Also

• Related topic or grammar