-으니까
-eunikka
because; since; so
Connects two clauses where the first is the reason, cause, or premise for the second, typically followed by the speaker's own judgment, suggestion, or command; it feels more subjective and assertive than -아/어서.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, 이다, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -니까
Meanings
- 1
A connective ending used to emphasize that the preceding statement is the cause, reason, or premise for the following statement.
뒤에 오는 말에 대하여 앞에 오는 말이 원인이나 근거, 전제가 됨을 강조하여 나타내는 연결 어미.
※ ‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
실컷 놀았으니까 이제 숙제를 해야지.
We've played enough, so now let's do our homework.
해가 바뀌었으니까 새해 다짐들을 적어 보자.
The year has changed, so let's write down our New Year's resolutions.
떡을 별로 좋아하지는 않는데 오랜만에 먹으니까 맛있었다.
I don't really like rice cakes, but since it had been a while, they were delicious.
어떡해. 늦겠다. 시간이 없으니까 택시를 타자.
Oh no, we're going to be late. We don't have time, so let's take a taxi.
너는 학생이니까 공부를 열심히 해야 한다.
You're a student, so you have to study hard.
날씨가 많이 추우니까 옷을 따뜻하게 입고 가렴.
It's very cold, so dress warmly before you go.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-으니까’ mean?
2. Which form means “because; since; so”?