Usage
i) Sequential events
바나나를 까서 먹었어요.
I peeled the banana and ate it.
ii) Reason/cause
두 시간 동안 걸어서 발이 아파요.
My feet hurt because I walked for two hours.
iii) Purpose
돈을 모아서 자동차를 살 거예요.
I will save money to buy a car.
iv) Continuative state
관객들이 서서 박수를 쳤어요.
The audience stood up and applauded.
v) Means/method
그는 걸어서 학교에 다닌다.
He goes to school on foot.
vi) Situational background
그는 어려서 매우 똑똑했다.
He was very smart when he was young.
Basic conjugation
| Stem ending in ㅗ or ㅏ | Stem ending in ㅓ,ㅜ,ㅡ, or ㅣ | 하다 words |
|---|---|---|
| 살다 + 아서 | 슬프다 + 어서 | 하다 + 어서 |
| = 살아서 | = 슬퍼서 | = 해서 |
Complete conjugation
Expand for complete table
| Stem ending | Dictionary form | 아/어서 form |
|---|---|---|
| ㅏ or ㅗ | 보다 | 봐서 |
| 좋다 | 좋아서 | |
| ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅡ, or ㅣ | 먹다 | 먹어서 |
| 주다 | 줘서 | |
| 슬프다 | 슬퍼서 | |
| 마시다 | 마셔서 | |
| 듣다 | 들어서 | |
| 하다 | 공부하다 | 공부해서 |
| 되다 | 발전되다 | 발전돼서 |
| 밤이 되다 | 밤이 돼서 | |
| ㄷ irregular | 듣다 | 들어서 |
| ㅂ irregular | 돕다 | 도와서 |
| 춥다 | 추워서 | |
| ㄹ irregular | 살다 | 살아서 |
| 풀다 | 풀어서 | |
| ㅎ irregular | 노랗다 | 노래서 |
| ㅅ irregular | 잇다 | 이어서 |
| 르 irregular | 부르다 | 불러서 |
| 빠르다 | 빨라서 | |
| 으 irregular | 쓰다 | 써서 |
| Special irregular | 이다 | 이어서 |
| 푸다 | 퍼서 |
Contents
Introduction
i) Sequential events
ii) Reason/cause
iii) Purpose
iv) Continuative state
v) Means/Method
vi) Situational background
Overlapping usages
어(서)
어서(요)
이라서
뉘라서
었어서
겠어서
어서 VS 고
어서 VS 니까
어서 VS 가지고
Expanded forms
Additional details
Associated grammar
See also
Bibliography
User examples
Introduction
The most basic use of 어서 is to show that one thing happens after another. Like a timeline, Event A happens first, then Event B happens. For example:
아침을 먹어서 학교에 갔다.
I ate breakfast and then went to school.
Think of it like this: When two things happen in order (one after another), we often naturally understand that:
The first thing might be why the second thing happened.
The first thing might be how the second thing was done.
The first thing might set up the situation for the second thing.
This is how 어서 came to have these different but related usages. The basic idea of 어서 is: “this happened, then that happened”.
From the basic sequential meaning, 어서 developed other uses:
• Showing reason/cause
• Showing purpose
• Showing something is ongoing (continuative state)
• Showing how something is done (means/method)
• Showing background setting
i) Sequential events
When 어서 is used to show sequence, it connects two actions that happen one after another in a logical order. In this usage, the actions in the preceding clause happen before and sequence into the following clause.
바나나를 까서 먹었어요.
I peeled the banana and ate it.
Here, the two actions (peeling and eating) naturally happen in order – you must peel the banana before you can eat it. Notice that tense marking only occurs on the final verb (I.E. not 었어서).
다리를 건너서 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Cross the bridge and go to the right.
Here, we see step-by-step directions where the actions must happen in this specific order – first cross the bridge, then turn right. 어서 connects these two actions into a logical sequence.
Key features of sequential events 어서:
• The first action must be completed before the second can begin.
• The actions are closely connected in time.
• There’s a logical relationship between the actions – they’re not random events.
You can think of sequential 어서 as creating a mini timeline of connected actions:
Action 1 ➔ Action 2
More examples:
꽃을 사서 어머니께 드렸어.
I bought flowers and gave them to my mother.
이메일을 작성해서 보냈어요.
I wrote an email and sent it.
대학을 졸업해서 취직했어요.
I graduated from university and got a job.
모두들 공원에 가서 운동합시다.
Let’s all go to the park and exercise.
내일 도서관에 가서 공부할 거야.
Tomorrow I will go to the library and study.
컴퓨터를 고쳐서 다시 사용했어요.
I fixed the computer and used it again.
철수가 케이크를 사서 친구에게 줬다.
철수 bought a cake and gave it to his friend.
어제 선생님을 만나서 조언을 들었어요.
Yesterday I met the teacher and got some advice.
Examples from 표준국어대사전 and NIKL 사전:
어머니는 솥을 씻어서 쌀을 안쳤다.
The mother washed the pot and then cooked the rice.
인부들이 짐을 덜어서 다른 차에 실었다.
The workers unloaded the cargo and loaded it onto another truck.
지수는 친구에게 화분을 하나 얻어서 키우기 시작했다.
Jisoo got a flowerpot from a friend and started growing it.
나는 편지에 작은 사진을 함께 넣어서 친구에게 보냈다.
I included a small photo in the letter and sent it to my friend.
할머니는 글을 배워서 손자에게 직접 편지를 쓰고 싶었다.
Grandmother wanted to learn to write so she could send a letter directly to her grandson.
차가 너무 막히자 승규는 택시에서 내려서 그냥 뛰기 시작했다.
When traffic was too heavy, Seunggyu got out of the taxi and just started running.
A: 겉옷을 어디에 둘까요?
A: Where should I put my coat?
B: 벗어서 옷걸이에 걸어라.
A: Take it off and hang it on the hanger.
Examples from linguistics papers:
존이 창문을 열고 숙제를 했다.
John opened the window and (then) did his homework.
세 명이 연달아서 내게 달려들었어.
Three people rushed at me one after another.
도자기를 잘 닦아서 탁자 위에 두어라.
Clean the pottery well and put it on the table.
그들은 모두 기립하여서 나를 맞이했다.
They all stood up and greeted me.
두 녀석이 번갈아 자맥질을 하고 있었다.
The two guys were taking turns diving.
그녀는 우리를 초대하여서 맛있는 음식을 대접하였다.
She invited us and served delicious food.
교문을 나와서 나는 아무래도 그냥 집에 돌아갈 수 없었다.
After leaving the school gate, I couldn’t just go back home.
아버님은 아무 말씀도 없이 새끼줄로 메주덩이를 꽁꽁 동여서 들보 위에 매달았다.
Father tied up the meju (fermented soybean) blocks tightly with straw rope and hung them on the beam without saying a word.
The expanded form 에 이어서 is based on this usage.
ii) Reason/cause
In this usage, 어서 connects two related events or states, where the first clause naturally leads to or causes the second.
When events happen in sequence, we often see the first event as causing the second. This is how 어서 came to express reasons and causes in the form: “this happened, so that happened.” Therefore, in this usage, 어서 signals that what it attaches to is the reason/cause for what follows.
두 시간 동안 걸어서 발이 아파요.
My feet hurt because I walked for two hours.
Here, 어서 signals a direct cause-and-effect relationship: the long walk is the reason for the pain. More specifically, the first action (walking) creates a state that results in the second condition (pain). Notice that there is a clear, natural consequence that anyone would understand.
집값이 비싸서 이사를 못해요.
Housing prices are expensive, so I can’t move.
Here, 어서 connects a current situation (expensive housing) to its direct consequence (inability to move). Again, this shows a cause-and-effect relationship that follows common knowledge. Though less obviously sequential, it follows the same logic – one situation leads to another.
Key features of reason/cause 어서:
• The cause-effect relationship is commonly accepted (not personal opinion).
• The result is more frequently negative or undesirable.
• Often used in expressions of thanks and apology (meaning “Thank you/Sorry for X”.
More examples:
늦어서 죄송합니다.
I’m sorry for being late.
딸을 낳아서 좋아요.
I’m glad we had a daughter.
한국어 배워서 좋아요.
I’m glad I learned Korean.
시간이 없어서 참석 못해요.
I don’t have time, so I can’t attend.
피곤해서 숙제를 못 했어요.
I was tired – I couldn’t do my homework.
버스가 막혀서 면접을 놓쳤어요.
The bus was stuck in traffic, so I missed the interview.
그 남자는 긴장해서 손이 떨렸어요.
He was nervous so his hands were shaking.
눈이 많이 쌓여서 길이 막혔습니다.
The snow piled up heavily so the road was blocked.
친구가 다리가 다쳐서 쉬고 있습니다.
My friend is resting because their leg is hurt.
영화가 너무 무서워서 중간에 나왔어요.
The movie was so scary I left halfway through.
저는 아파서 수업에 참석하지 못하겠습니다.
I’m sick so I won’t be able to attend class.
Examples from 표준국어대사전 and NIKL 사전:
강이 깊어서 아이가 건너기는 어렵다.
The river is deep, so it’s difficult for the child to cross.
지수는 시간이 없어서 식사도 못 했다.
Jisoo didn’t have time, so she couldn’t even eat.
나는 약속을 못 지켜서 친구에게 많이 미안했다.
I couldn’t keep my promise, so I felt really sorry for my friend.
날씨가 추워서 나는 어제 하루 종일 집에 있었다.
Since the weather was cold, I stayed home all day yesterday.
하도 전화를 걸어서 이제는 내 목소리를 알아듣는다.
He called so many times that he now recognizes my voice.
그는 워낙 성실한 사람이어서 뭘 해도 성공할 것이다.
He is such a diligent person that he will succeed in whatever he does.
A: 갑자기 왜 배가 아파?
A: Why does your stomach suddenly hurt?
B: 저녁을 너무 많이 먹어서 체한 것 같아.
B: I think I overate at dinner and got indigestion.
Examples from linguistics papers:
돌을 던져서 창문을 깨뜨렸다.
He threw a stone and broke a window (with it).
배고파서 라면을 끓이고 있었다.
He was making ramen because he was hungry.
집에 가고 있어서 전화를 안 받나보다.
I guess he’s not picking up because he’s still on his way home.
차에서 내리다가 넘어져서 병원에 갔다.
He fell as he was getting out of the car and so he went to the hospital.
그날 그가 일찍 집에 가서 화를 면했다.
He escaped the disaster because he went home early that day.
연마기로 한참을 갈아서 날이 예리하게 서 있었다.
After grinding it for a while with a sharpener, the blade became razor-sharp.
집으로 돌아갈 때가 되면 그동안 정이 들어서 서운해 한다.
When it’s time to return home, they feel sad because they’ve grown attached.
사랑방 손님을 몰래 사랑해서 끌탕을 하고 사랑의 편지를 쓰는 어머니.
A mother secretly falls in love with the guest in the living room, struggles with her feelings, and writes a love letter.
한글로 쓴 시청자 엽서의 주소를 잘못 읽어서 실수와 망신을 당한 영화배우 G모씨의 경우는…
In the case of actor G, who misread the address on a viewer’s postcard written in Korean, it led to a mistake and embarrassment…
밥을 두 끼나 굶어서 힘이 없어요.
I have no energy because I missed two meals.
철수 들어왔어? 방에 불이 켜져 있는 것 같아서.
Is Cheolsu home? Because the light seems to be on in the room.
그놈이 발부리에 차이는 것 같아서 눈물이 비 오듯 쏟아졌습니다.
Tears poured like rain because it felt like he kicked my feet.
전범재판을 받고 있는 상황이어서 직접 의석을 차지하지는 못하겠지만…
Because he is undergoing war crimes trials, he won’t be able to take the seat directly…
The expanded forms 어서인지 , 어서 그런지 , and 어서 죽겠다 are based on this usage.
iii) Purpose
In this usage, 어서 helps express purpose, where the first action is performed to accomplish the second action. This extends from the sequential meaning where one sees actions done in sequence. The first action represents a decision and the second action is done to fulfill that intention.
돈을 모아서 자동차를 살 거예요.
I will save money to buy a car.
Here, ‘saving money’ is done to buy a car. 어서 itself does not signal the action as a purpose, but rather, helps the listener/reader to interpret it this way.
선생님께 선물을 사서 드렸다.
Bought and gave a gift to the teacher.
Here, 어서 connects the preparatory action (buying) to its intended purpose (giving). Thus, the first action is understood as being done with a specific goal.
Key points:
• There is a clear goal-oriented relationship between the two actions.
• The purpose usage typically appears with volitional actions.
• Through inference, 어서 helps the listener/reader interpret the first action as a purpose for the second.
More examples:
일찍 일어나서 아침 운동을 했다.
Got up early to exercise in the morning.
친구를 만나서 고민을 상담했어요.
I met a friend to discuss my concerns.
그는 공부를 열심히 해서 좋은 대학에 들어갔어요.
He studied hard to enter a good university.
진실을 알아내서 정의를 바로 세우겠다고 다짐했다.
I pledged to find out the truth to establish justice.
그녀를 만나서 오해를 풀고 싶었지만 연락이 닿지 않았다.
I wanted to meet her to clear up the misunderstanding, but I couldn’t reach her.
Examples from linguistics papers:
일 찾아서 왔다갔다 철새란 말씨
Going back and forth for work, like a migratory bird—
얘는요, 친구를 찾아서 시골서 왔다는데요, 집을 못 찾겠대요.
This kid says he came from the countryside looking for a friend, but he can’t find the house.
창문에는 바람을 막기 위해서 덧댄 비닐종이가 바람에 하늘거렸다.
A sheet of plastic, added to block the wind, fluttered against the window.
내 직업적 만족을 위해서 기사로 드러내는 건 비겁하고 추한 일이 아닐까?
Wouldn’t it be cowardly and shameful to publish it as an article just for my own professional satisfaction?
알기 위해서 한다.
I’m doing it to know.
우리 같이 불쌍한 마을 동생들을 위해서 글을 가르쳐 주자.
Let’s teach writing for our poor village juniors.
공장으로 가져가서 사람들의 생활에 필요한 연탄을 만들겠지.
They’ll take it to the factory to make briquettes needed for people’s lives.
iv) Continuative state
In this usage, an ongoing state (first clause) remains while the main action (second clause) occurs. This derives from the sequential usage when the first state continues during subsequent action. That is, the first action creates a state which serves as context for the main action.
관객들이 서서 박수를 쳤어요.
The audience stood up and applauded.
Here, ‘standing up’ creates a state that continues during applause. 어서 itself does not signal the state as ongoing, but rather, the ongoing standing is understood to be a requirement for the standing ovation. That is, the ongoing state becomes understood as the background condition for the second action.
세 시간 동안 카페에 앉아서 공부했어요.
Sat in the cafe and studied for three hours.
Here, ‘sitting’ establishes a continuous state that persists throughout the three hours of studying. 어서 merely links the ongoing cafe presence (seating) to the main activity of studying.
Key features of continuative state 어서:
• The first verb typically describes a physical position/state that can be maintained.
• Thus, this usage often appears with posture verbs like 서다, 앉다, 누워서.
• 어서 has little function here. The prolonged action becomes understood via word association.
More examples:
수진이가 앉아서 음악을 들었어요.
Sujin sat down and listened to music.
지훈이가 누워서 핸드폰을 봤어요.
Jihun lay down and looked at his phone.
창문을 열어서 바람을 쐬고 있었다.
I opened the window and was enjoying the breeze.
이 책상에 앉아서 서류를 작성하세요.
Please sit at this desk and fill out the documents.
할아버지께서는 의자에 앉으셔서 신문을 읽고 계신다.
Grandfather is sitting in the chair reading the newspaper.
아이들이 나무 그늘 아래 서서 아이스크림을 먹는구나!
The children are standing under the tree shade eating ice cream!
Examples from linguistics papers:
책을 누워서 읽었다.
I read the book lying down.
우리는 남산 위로 올라와 잔디밭에 누워서 책보를 벴다.
We climbed up Namsan, lay down on the lawn, and used our school bags as pillows.
가을과 겨울은 내내 창가에 앉아서 산을 바라보며 지냈다.
I spent the entire fall and winter sitting by the window, gazing at the mountains.
집게를 가지런히 앞으로 내밀어서 길잡이 대신으로 하고 걸어 다닌다.
It neatly extends its pincers forward, using them as a guide, and walks around.
짧은 모가지를 비틀어서 윤보를 빤히 보고, 그러고 다시 콧방귀를 뀌더니 내려간다.
It twists its short neck, stares intently at Yunbo, snorts again, and then goes down.
영수가 의자에 앉아서 신문을 읽는다.
Youngsu sits in the chair reading the newspaper.
그녀는 슬픔에 잠기어서 멍하니 앉아 있었다.
She sat blankly, immersed in sadness.
바지는 짧게 잡아서 예상했던 것보다 훨씬 짧았다.
The pants were hemmed short and ended up much shorter than expected.
여기저기 엎드려서 논을 메고 있는 들판 속의 마을 일꾼들
Village workers lying prone here and there weeding the rice paddies.
언제나 아버지 어머니가 옆에 계셔서 따스한 손길로 쓰다듬어 주시는 것만 같았다.
It felt like mother and father were always by my side, stroking me with warm hands.
The expanded form 어서는 안 된다 is based on this usage.
v) Means/method
In this usage, 어서 shows how an action is accomplished. This derives from the continuation usage where the ongoing first action makes it possible to accomplish the second action.
그는 걸어서 학교에 다닌다.
He goes to school on foot.
Here, ‘walking’ is how ‘going to school’ is done. That is, the ongoing means/method of commuting to school. That is, 어서 links the method (walking) to the main activity (going to school).
머핀은 잘라서 먹으면 편해요.
Muffins are easier to eat if you cut them.
Here, ‘cutting’ is the method that makes ‘eating’ (the main action) easier. Notice how 어서 signifies the first action as a way to better accomplish the main action.
Key features of method/means 어서:
• The first action describes how the second action is carried out.
• 어서 implies that the first action facilitates the second action in some way.
• Both actions are typically done by the same subject.
More examples:
구부려서 들어가십시오.
Enter by bending down.
카톡으로 연락해서 만나요.
Let’s meet up by contacting through KakaoTalk.
핸드폰으로 찍어서 보내주세요.
Please send it by taking a photo with your phone.
사전을 보면서 읽어서 이해했어요.
Understood by reading the dictionary.
Examples from 표준국어대사전 and NIKL 사전:
짐을 양손에 나눠서 들었다.
He split the load between both hands and carried it.
우리는 다음 장소까지 걸어서 이동하기로 했다.
We decided to walk to the next location.
우리 가족은 모닥불에 고구마를 구워서 먹었다.
Our family roasted sweet potatoes over a campfire to eat them.
지수는 종이를 접어서 꽃과 동물 등을 곧잘 만들어 냈다.
Jisoo folded paper to skillfully make flowers and animals.
A: 네가 직접 그린 그림이야? 정말 멋있다.
B: 시간을 정말 많이 들여서 완성한 거야.
A: Did you draw this yourself? It’s really cool.
B: I spent a lot of time finishing it.
Examples from linguistics papers:
컴퓨터를 써서 숙제를 했다.
He did his homework using a computer.
짐작한 성호는 밝은 목소리를 가장해서 형기에게 말했다.
Seong-ho, having guessed the situation, pretended to speak cheerfully to Hyeong-gi.
느릅나무 껍질과 섞어서 먹으면 便秘가 없어진다고 하였다.
It is said that if you mix it with elm bark and eat it, constipation will go away.
사복을 입은 사람을 오랏줄로 묶어서 끌고 가는 그림이 그려져 있다.
There is a picture of a person in plain clothes being tied with a rope and dragged away.
서울대 법대를 다니던 9촌 아저씨 창홍은 걸어서 고향으로 돌아 왔다.
Changhong, my ninth cousin who attended Seoul National University’s law school, returned to his hometown on foot.
그래, 절약해서 쓰란 말야.
Yes, use it sparingly.
예를 들어서 대포에서 탄환을 쏘면…
For example, when firing a cannon…
만나자는 말을 돌려서 하는 사람은 많았어요.
Many people spoke indirectly about wanting to meet.
솔직히 말해서, 세호는 밤새도록 아버지와 이야기를 나누고 싶었습니다.
To be honest, Seho wanted to talk with his father all night.
The expanded form 어서라도 is based on this usage.
vi) Situational background
In this usage, a background setting (first clause) is presented as the context for the main action/state (second clause). This comes from the continuative state use, where the first state is the backdrop for the second action/events. More specifically, a background setting establishes a context that gets interpreted as a frame for subsequent events.
그는 어려서 매우 똑똑했다.
He was very smart when he was young.
Here, ‘being young’ provides the temporal background for being smart. 어서 itself does not signal the state as a background, but rather, invites the listener to interpret this as a framing for the characteristic (being very smart).
새벽 2시가 지나서 한강 인도교는 두 동강이 났다.
After 2 AM, the Hangang pedestrian bridge broke in two.
Here, ‘the passing of 2 AM’ establishes the temporal background for the bridge breaking. 어서 connects this time reference to the main event, providing the temporal context in which it occurred.
Key points:
• 어서 has little function here. The background framing becomes understood via context.
• 어서 helps listeners/readers immediately understand the context.
• The background information helps locate or frame the main event/state in time or circumstance,
More examples:
겨울이어서 날이 짧았다.
The days were short as it was winter.
밤이 늦어서 거리가 조용했다.
The streets were quiet as it was late at night.
오후 6시가 넘어서 퇴근했어요.
He left work after 6:00 in the evening.
어려서 캐나다에서 유학했대요.
I heard she studied in Canada when she was little.
건강해서는 운동을 잘했는데 이제 약해졌다.
He was good at sports when he was healthy, but now he’s weak.
Examples from linguistics papers:
옆자리의 젊은 아낙네들의 싱싱한 모습과 견주어서 외롭고 쓸쓸해 보였다.
Compared to the fresh appearance of the young women sitting nearby, he looked lonely and desolate.
제 나라 글에 대한 자랑과 사랑이 바탕이 되어서 비로소 가능할 수 있는 일이다.
It is something that could only be possible because of a deep pride in and love for one’s own country’s writing.
조부가 젊어서 청나라에 다녀온 것은 태환도 집안 어른들에게 여러 번 들어 아는 얘기다.
I know the story of my grandfather travelling to Qing China when he was young, as I’ve heard it many times from the elders in Taehwan’s family.
밤 열 시가 지나서 회의가 끝났어.
The meeting ended after 10 PM.
젊어서 한푼이라도 모아야 늙어서 고생 안 하지.
You should save even a penny while young to avoid hardship when old.
인생살이에 있어서 지구력과 인내심이 없으면 안 된다.
In life, you need endurance and patience.
일본의 문화는 우리나라에 와서 다른 방향으로 변질되었다.
Japanese culture changed in a different direction after coming to our country.
The archaic form 뉘라서 is essentially this usage.
Overlapping usages
Sometimes the aforementioned usages of 어서 overlap and are ambiguous. The reason is these usages connect back to how sequential events relate. Let’s look again at how these usages are derived.
When events are sequentially connected, people naturally make inferences about their relationship. For example, when two events happen in sequence, we might infer that the first caused the second (reason/cause usage). These inferences happen naturally, and over time they eventually become conventionalized into separate usages.
However, there remains a fuzzy boundary between usages, and sometimes these meanings overlap.
Consider:
공부를 열심히 해서 시험에 합격했어요.
{Sequential} I studied hard and then passed the exam.
{Reason/cause} Because I studied hard, I passed the exam.
Here, the sentence can be interpreted as either sequential or causal. This is because two events are connected by 어서 and the listener/reader needs to make inferences about the intended meaning.
Also consider:
나이 들어서 세상이 무엇인가를 조금 깨달아.
As I grow older, I begin to understand a bit more about the world.
Again, the second clause (beginning to understand) is both a sequential event and a consequence. This makes the sentence understood as either sequential or causal. Hence we must realize that 어서 usages overlap.
Another common overlap is between the sequential and continual states:
존이 집에 가서 공부 하고 있다.
John went home and is studying (there)..
만물을 쪼개고 나누어서 그 본질적인 구성 요소들을 찾아내려는 것이다.
It is an attempt to break things apart and divide them to find their essential components.
Or consider a sequential/purpose example:
어떤 무리는 짐승들의 무리를 쫓아서 한대 지방까지 나아갔을 것입니다.
Some groups likely followed herds of animals all the way to the polar region.
Did people follow the animals and end up in the polar region? Or did they follow the animals with the intent of reaching the polar region? The sentence meaning is inferred by the listener/reader.
어(서)
There is plenty of research on the meaning of 어서 and how it compares to other connective forms like 니까 and 기지고. However, little research exists on the difference between 어(서) and 어서, specifically why 서 can be added/omitted in clauses ending in 어.
어(서) is typically seen as a more bookish abbreviation of 어서. However, there are two cases where 어서 cannot be shortened:
• After the copula (이다)
• When used at the end of sentences 어서(요).
In addition, this shortening rarely, if ever, occurs with certain movement verbs:
• 가다
• 오다
• 서다
With the honorific 시, the form 시어 cannot be shortened to 셔:
ㅁㅁ해 주셔서 감사합니다. (O) {Regular}
ㅁㅁ해 주시어 감사합니다. (O) {Shortened}
ㅁㅁ해 주셔 감사합니다. (X) {Shortened}
Thank you for Xing.
With the verb 하다, the form 하여 is used rather than 해:
일을 완료하여 보고서를 제출하다.
Complete the work and submit the report.
어서(요)
The sentence ending 어서(요) is the reason/cause usage of 어서 placed at the end of a sentence. Here, the speaker expresses reasons concisely. This ending is often more appropriate than making full sentences with 어서 when the result (what would be the second clause) is understood from context.
A: 케이크가 맛있어 보이네. 왜 안 먹지?
A: That cake looks delicious. Why aren’t you eating it?
B: 다이어트 중이어서.
B: Because I’m on a diet.
Here, the result (not eating the cake) has been already raised by speaker A. It is more appropriate for speaker B to only give the reason.
This ending is also frequently used to mention reasons as afterthoughts:
문을 좀 닫아주세요. 밖에서 소리가 너무 시끄러워서요.
Please close the door. Because it’s too noisy outside.
Here, the speaker makes a request, and then (as an afterthought) decides to be more polite by stating the reason for the request.
More examples:
A: 왜 지금 계속 웃고 있지?
A: Why are you smiling so much?
B: 방금 좋은 소식을 들었어서.
B: Because I just heard good news.
A: 왜 너 자꾸 핸드폰만 보고 있어?
A: Why do you keep looking at your phone?
B: 중요한 연락을 기다리고 있어서요.
B: Because I’m waiting for an important message.
택시를 타야겠어요. 버스를 놓쳐서요.
I’ll have to take a taxi. Because I missed the bus.
미안해요, 전화를 못 받았어요. 수업 중이어서요.
Sorry, I couldn’t answer your call. I was in class.
이 노래를 들을 때마다 슬퍼요. 이별했을 때 많이 들었어서요.
I feel sad whenever I hear this song. Because I listened to it a lot when we broke up.
면접 시간을 변경해 주실 수 있을까요? 이전 약속이 길어질 것 같아서요.
Could you change my interview time? Because my previous appointment might run long.
이번 회의는 온라인으로 진행하는 것이 좋겠습니다. 해외 참가자들이 많아서요.
It would be better to conduct this meeting online. Because there are many overseas participants.
부장님, 보고서를 내일까지 제출하겠습니다. 몇 가지 데이터를 더 확인해야 해서요.
Director, I will submit the report by tomorrow. Because I need to verify some additional data.
이라서
이라서 is simply the reason/cause usage of 어서 attached to the copula 이다 (in its infinitive variant form: 이라). 이라서 expresses reason/causality just the same as 어서. Although 이어서 is also grammatically acceptable, spoken Korean frequently prefers the colloquial 이라서.
For example:
내일이 공휴일이라서 은행이 문을 닫아요.
The bank is closed because tomorrow is a public holiday.
노트북이 최신 모델이라서 속도가 빨라요.
Since the laptop is the latest model, it’s fast.
In these examples, the first noun marked with 이라서 (공휴일, 최신 모델) is a reason/cause for the resulting situation. Thus, 이라서 expresses a straightforward cause-and-effect relationship.
Key Features of 이라서:
• Just like reason/cause 어서, 이라서 presents a reason, cause, or justification.
• Has a conversational, colloquial tone.
• Often translates as “because,” “since,” or “as”.
More examples:
저는 학생이라서 돈이 별로 없어요.
I don’t have much money because I’m a student.
요즘 시험 기간이라서 스트레스가 많아.
I’m stressed lately because it’s exam period.
오늘 친구가 놀러 올 거라서 청소하는 거야.
I’m cleaning because a friend is coming over today.
비가 오는 날이라서 집에서 영화나 볼까 해요.
Since it’s a rainy day, I’m thinking of just watching a movie at home.
나는 추위를 잘 타는 편이라서 겨울이 힘들어.
Winter is hard for me because I’m sensitive to the cold.
철수는 제 동료라서 자주 같이 점심을 먹습니다.
Since Cheolsu is my coworker, we often eat lunch together.
세일하는 제품이라서 사람들이 많이 사 가더라고요.
Because it’s a product on sale, many people were buying it.
Examples from 표준국어대사전 and NIKL 사전:
새것이라서 더욱 좋아요.
I like it more because it’s new.
그 얘기가 뜬소문이라서 다행이야.
It’s a relief that it was just a rumor.
나는 항상 짐이 많은 편이라서 가벼운 가방을 선호한다.
I usually have a lot of stuff, so I prefer a lightweight bag.
이 식당은 맛도 좋지만 가격이 합리적이라서 인기가 많다.
This restaurant is popular not only because the food is good but also because the prices are reasonable.
나는 내향적인 성격이라서 혼자 있는 게 더 편할 때가 많다.
Since I have an introverted personality, I often feel more comfortable being alone.
가: 갑자기 케이크는 왜 만들어?
가: Why are you suddenly making a cake?
나: 내일이 친구 생일이라서 선물로 주려고 만드는 거야.
나: Because it’s my friend’s birthday tomorrow, and I’m making it as a gift.
뉘라서
뉘라서 is an archaic rhetorical phrase with the nuance of “who would dare…” or “who could possibly…”. It’s formed by combining the interrogative pronoun 뉘 (an older form of 누가) and the colloquial form 이라서 (variant of copula + 어서). This instance is the situational background usage of 어서.
For example:
뉘라서 나를 이기리오.
Who would dare to beat me?
Here, 뉘라서 rhetorically emphasizes the daring nature of the challenge.
Key Features of 뉘라서:
• Expresses rhetorical questioning.
• Archaic form with literary tone.
• Often translated as “who would dare…” or “who could possibly…”.
More examples:
뉘라서 알까.
Who would know?
뉘라서 능히 짐작하리오.
Who could possibly predict it?
뉘라서 감히 만질 수가 있을까.
Who would dare to touch it?
뉘라서 바다의 깊이를 헤아릴 수 있으랴.
Who could ever measure the depth of the sea?
뉘라서 저 별빛을 손에 쥘 수 있다 하리오.
Who could possibly claim to grasp the starlight in their hands?
Examples from 표준국어대사전:
내일 일을 뉘라서 알리오.
Who could possibly know what will happen tomorrow?
어떤 사람이라서 이 고통을 감당하겠는가.
Who could possibly endure this pain?
날 찾을 이가 없건마는 그 뉘라서 날 찾나.
There is no one to look for me, so who would dare seek me?
었어서
Until recently, 었어서 (past tense marker 었 + 어서) was considered incorrect. However, since around 2010, linguists have observed a sharp rise in the use of 었어서 in real-life communication, especially in spoken language and online contexts. This form is now increasingly accepted by native speakers, showing that language evolves through actual usage. Although many textbooks say 었어서 is ungrammatical, 었어서 is a prime example of real-time observable grammatical change.
It appears that speakers primarily use 었어서 to explicitly mark a past event as being completed, making the temporal sequence clear.
For example:
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요.
I was hungry, so I ate.
배가 고팠어서 밥을 먹었어요.
I had been hungry, so I ate.
In the first sentence, 아서 does not specify whether the hunger happened at the same time as eating or slightly before it. As such, listeners are forced to infer the timeline from context. However, in the second sentence, 었어서 explicitly marks the hunger as something that was completed before eating, reducing any ambiguity.
Note that 었어서 only appears in the reason/cause usage of 어서. It is strictly used to clarify that a past action or state was the reason for something else.
학교에 가서 공부했어요. (O)
학교에 갔어서 공부했어요. (X)
I went to school and studied (there).
Beyond just marking past causality, 었어서 can also add subjective nuances to a statement. Speakers sometimes use 었어서 to emphasize personal experience or emotional connection to the past event. Additionally, it can signal a past state that is no longer true, as in:
흑인 음악을 좋아했어서 이것저것 많이 찾아봤어요.
Because I used to like Black music, I looked up a lot of things about it.
Here, 했어서 subtly implies that the speaker was more interested in the past than they are now. If the speaker still liked Black music, the standard 해서 would be more natural.
Also consider:
교직 이수를 했어서 기간제 교사로 일할 수 있는 기회를 얻었어요.
Because I had completed the teacher training course, I got the opportunity to work as a temporary teacher.
Here, 었어서 establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between a past action (completing the teacher training course) and a later consequence (getting the opportunity to work). Here, 었어서 removes ambiguity making the timeline explicit.
Similarly:
회사에서 거길 추천을 많이 했어서 베트남으로 여행을 갔어요.
Because my company had highly recommended that place, I travelled to Vietnam.
Again, 었어서 makes it clear that the recommendation happened first, leading to the decision to travel. Without 었, the sentence could be interpreted as if the recommendation and the decision were happening simultaneously.
Importantly, 었어서 is far more acceptable in spoken language, social media, blogs, and internet forums. Studies of online language trends have shown that its usage has increased significantly in these domains since the early 2010s. Many younger speakers use it naturally in everyday speech, especially in casual interactions where clarity of past causality is important.
Even though 었어서 is still relatively new, it’s beginning to be treated as a useful expression rather than a mistake. The National Institute of Korean Language has acknowledged its presence in modern speech and suggested that it should be observed as a developing trend. However, not all speakers accept 었어서 with conservative speakers viewing it as “incorrect” or a deviant form.
In one study, university students were asked whether 었어서 sentences were acceptable. Below is a table of the results (from 이영준 2018).
Expand to see table
| Ranking | Sentence | Positive Response (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 전 할머니랑 같이 살았어서 어느 정도 상상할 수 있는 맛이었는데요. Because I lived with my grandmother, I could somewhat imagine the taste. |
69.57 |
| 2 | 남친이 전에 과천에 살았어서 과천 맛집 많이 가봤는데. Because my boyfriend used to live in Gwacheon, we visited many famous restaurants there. |
64.00 |
| 3 | 수영을 배웠어서 그런지 물개같이 놀더라. Because I had learned to swim, I played in the water like a seal. |
58.33 |
| 4 | 어린 시절에 흑석동에서 살았어서 참 애정 있는 동네인데요. Because I lived in Heukseok-dong as a child, I feel a deep affection for this neighborhood. |
50.00 |
| 5 | 아빠가 너무 좋아했어서 다음번에도 또 갈 듯해요. Because my dad loved it so much, we will probably go again next time. |
50.00 |
| 6 | 사실 전 중국어를 조금 배웠어서 어느 정도는 할 줄 아는데요. Because I had learned a little Chinese, I can speak it to some extent. |
48.00 |
| 7 | 너무 재미있게 놀았어서 이번 주 주말에 한강나들이 또 갈까 생각중이에요. Because we had so much fun, I’m thinking of going to the Han River again this weekend. |
48.00 |
| 8 | 외우는 걸 제일 싫어했어서 제일 기피했던 과목이 사회랑 역사였는데. Because I hated memorizing, the subjects I avoided the most were social studies and history. |
47.83 |
| 9 | 그 동안 별로 안 좋은 의사들만 만났어서 의사에 대한 인식이 너무 안 좋았었죠. Because I had only met bad doctors before, my perception of doctors was really negative. |
44.00 |
| 10 | 저번에 방문했을 때는 1층에서 마셨어서 2층으로 올라가 보았어요. When I visited last time, I drank on the first floor, so I tried going up to the second floor. |
43.48 |
| 11 | 어렸을 때 당근을 엄청 싫어했어서 사과 당근 주스도 엄청 싫어했는데. Because I hated carrots as a child, I also really hated apple-carrot juice. |
43.48 |
| 12 | 그 때 당시에는 영업이 끝났어서 못 갔던 식당이다. Because it was already closed at that time, I couldn’t go to that restaurant. |
42.31 |
| 13 | 그 전 날 술을 많이 마셨어서 속이 진짜 안 좋았어요. Because I drank a lot the night before, my stomach felt terrible. |
42.31 |
| 14 | 저는 어릴 때부터 바닥에서 잤어서 아직 이런 침대가 익숙치는 않더라구요. Because I used to sleep on the floor since I was little, I’m still not used to this kind of bed. |
41.67 |
| 15 | 그래도 워낙 재미있게 놀았어서 이웃님들께도 소개해 드리려 해요. Because I had so much fun, I want to recommend it to my neighbors. |
41.67 |
| 16 | 저는 어릴 때 체육수업을 싫어했어서 스스로 운동을 못한다는 인식이 굉장히 강해요. Because I hated PE classes as a child, I strongly believe that I’m bad at sports. |
40.00 |
| 17 | 아까는 너무 작게 만들었어서 이제 좀 크게 만들었어요. Because I made it too small earlier, I made it a bit bigger this time. |
34.78 |
| 18 | 엄마가 만들었어서 전 이 맛을 절대 못 내요. Because my mom made it, I can never recreate this taste. |
33.34 |
| 19 | 저번에 친구가 한 번 밥을 샀어서 이번엔 제가 살 차례인데. Because my friend paid for the meal last time, it’s my turn to pay this time. |
30.78 |
| 20 | 특히나 아이들이 너무나 잘 놀았어서 돈 아깝지는 않았답니다. Because the kids had so much fun, I didn’t feel like the money was wasted. |
30.44 |
겠어서
The modal suffix 겠 (and its conjecture usage) can combine with the reason/cause usage of 어서 to express a subjective assumption about a cause-effect relationship.
겠다 Example:
안이 덥겠어요.
It must be hot inside.
Until recently, 겠어서 was considered incorrect by prescriptive grammar rules. However, increasingly from the 2010s, linguists have observed a rise in the real-world usage of 겠어서, particularly in informal spoken language and online interactions. While many textbooks still mark 겠어서 as ungrammatical, real-world observations show a grammatical change is underway.
Similar to 었어서, 겠어서 appears as a reason/cause usage of 어서. Here, it’s used to express the speaker’s subjective stance on the causal relationship.
For example:
닭가슴살 더 이상 못 먹겠어서 새우 주문했어요.
I couldn’t bring myself to eat any more chicken breast, so I ordered shrimp.
Here, 먹겠어서 doesn’t just state a simple inability to eat chicken breast; it implies the speaker’s subjective limit or unwillingness to continue eating it. 겠 conveys a personal stance or decision rather than an objective fact.
Also consider:
부모님의 문제로 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어서 글 남깁니다.
Because I just don’t know what to do about my parents’ issue, I’m posting this.
Here, 모르겠어서 emphasizes the speaker’s subjective uncertainty or feeling of being overwhelmed. It conveys the speaker’s emotional appeal for understanding or assistance. On the other hand, 몰라서 would simply present ignorance as the reason without the same nuance.
Finally, 겠어서 has interactional purposes beyond marking causality. Just like 겠, 겠어서 can act as a subtle hedge or a politeness strategy, softening statements by framing reasons as personal conjecture or internal reasoning rather than blunt facts.
어서 VS 고
Connective endings 어서 and 고 both link clauses and have a certain degree of overlap. However, there are times when they function quite differently.
어서 – Showing close connection
First, 어서 is used when the actions are closely related. This could be a sequential or causal connection.
돈이 없어서 영화를 못 봤어요.
I couldn’t see the movie because I had no money.
If 고 were used here, instead of a causal connection there would be two separate facts:
돈이 없고 영화를 못 봤어요.
I don’t have money and I couldn’t see the movie.
As such, these separate facts may only be interpreted as coincidental. Compare:
비가 와서 우산을 샀어요.
It was raining, so I bought an umbrella.
비가 오고 우산을 샀어요.
It was raining and I bought an umbrella.
Second, 어서 is used to show a method of accomplishing something.
수영을 해서 강을 건넜어요.
I crossed the river by swimming.
If 고 were used here, there would be a suggestion of two separate activities, implying the river was crossed by other means:
수영을 하고 강을 건넜어요.
I swam (for exercise) and crossed the river (to go to work).
Sometimes, replacing 어서 with 고 in means/method expressions makes the sentence ungrammatical. Compare:
걸어서 학교까지 10분 걸려요. (O)
It takes 10 minutes to school by walking.
걷고 학교까지 10분 걸려요. (X)
After walking, it takes 10 minutes to school.
Third, 어서 is preferred when the first action must be completed before the second can occur.
Compare:
집에 도착해서 전화를 했어요.
I arrived home and then (immediately) phoned.
집에 도착하고 전화를 했어요.
I arrived home and then (later) phoned.
Here, there is a slight change in nuance between 어서 and 고. Since 어서 is used when actions are tightly connected, there is a nuance of calling immediately upon arrival. On the other hand, since 고 suggests two separate activities, there is a nuance of time separation between the actions.
고 – Showing separate actions
First, 고 is preferred for neutral statements when actions simply happen in sequence.
아침을 먹고 학교에 갔어요.
I ate breakfast and went to school.
If 어서 were used here, instead of a neutral statement, the two actions would be tied together:
아침을 먹어서 학교에 갔어요.
After finishing breakfast, I went to school.
As such, 고 presents actions without suggesting a direct connection. Compare:
친구를 만나고 영화를 봤어요.
I met my friend and then watched a movie (possibly alone).
친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요.
I met my friend and (together we) watched a movie.
Second, 고 is used when actions are independent of each other.
한국어를 배우고 일본어도 배워요.
I learn Korean and also learn Japanese.
If 어서 were used here, there would be a suggestion that somehow learning Korean enables, causes, or is a prerequisite for learning Japanese:
한국어를 배워서 일본어도 배워요.
I learn Korean, so I also learn Japanese.
Thus, replacing 고 with 어서 can create a cause-and-effect relationship. Compare:
청소를 하고 요리를 했어요.
I cleaned and cooked.
청소를 해서 요리를 했어요.
I cooked because I cleaned.
Third, 고 is required with certain “wearing” verbs. These verbs naturally imply a continued state, making 어서 usage ungrammatical.
Compare:
튀튀를 입고 춤을 췄어요. (O)
튀튀를 입어서 춤을 췄어요. (X)
I put on a tutu and dance.
안경을 쓰고 책을 읽어요. (O)
안경을 써서 책을 읽어요. (X)
I put on glasses and read a book.
In summary, 어서 often shows cause-effect or purpose-method relationships, while 고 simply connects sequential actions without implying a close connection between them.
어서 VS 니까
A common problem faced by Korean learners is discerning between 어서 and 니까 in causation expressions. This is because both 어서 and 니까 translate to ‘because’ in English. However, Korean learners must learn their nuances because choosing the wrong ending can be highly impolite.
어서 VS 니까 is a large topic that needs its own GRD entry. A summary of that entry is as follows:
• Use 어서 when you’re simply stating a direct cause:
내가 열심히 공부해서 시험에 합격했어.
I studied hard, so I passed the test.
Here, 어서 simply states a cause-and-effect relationship: that studying led directly to passing the exam.
• Use 니까 when you’re making a judgment or concluding something:
내가 열심히 공부하니까 시험에 합격했지.
Because I studied hard, I (of course) passed the test.
Here, 니까 emphasizes a personal judgment: that passing the exam was an outcome of studying hard.
어서 VS 가지고
Both 어서 and 어 가지고 are connectives with sequential and reason/causal usages. However, they differ in speech formality and speaker attitude.
어 가지고 derives from the verb 가지다 (to take), and was originally used for objects being carried from one action into another. This generalized into a sequential meaning, where actions/events are carried through from one to another. From this basis, 어 가지고 is used to express the speaker’s personal associations toward the information being presented. With its origin tied closely to practical scenarios, 어 가지고 retains a strong colloquial nuance, while 어서 has a more formal and neutral tone.
Take for example a sequential context:
일찍 일어나서 운동했어.
I woke up early and exercised.
VS
일찍 일어나 가지고 운동했어.
I woke up early and ended up exercising.
Here, 어서 neutrally states the sequence of waking early and then exercising, without additional nuance. On the other hand, 어 가지고 suggests that the second action (exercising) is a natural consequence resulting from the first action (waking early), thus emphasizing the speaker’s attitude.
Similarly, in a causal context:
일이 많아서 야근했어.
There was so much work that I worked overtime.
VS
일이 많아 가지고 야근했어.
Because there was so much work, I ended up working overtime.
While both sentences express a causal relationship, 어서 objectively presents the relationship as a simple fact, whereas 어 가지고 adds a sense of complaint about having to work overtime. (Think about holding a burden to your chest). This is how 어 가지고 invites the listener to see their point of view.
Key differences:
어서
• Used widely in both formal and informal speech/writing.
• Indicates neutral, straightforward sequential or causal relationships.
• Lacks additional subjective or emotive implications.
어 가지고
• Predominantly used in colloquial, informal speech.
• Expresses sequential or causal relations with added nuance.
• Conveys speaker’s attitudes or subjective evaluations, inviting empathy or shared understanding.
Expanded forms
어서 is sometimes expanded with the following forms:
어서야
This form expresses that something only happens when specific conditions are met. It combines the sequential or reason/cause usages of 어서 with the emphatic particle 야 (which indicates limitation).
야 Example:
지금이야 가능해요.
Only now is it possible.
When 야 combines with 어서, it creates the meaning “only when X occurs”.
늦어서야 도착했어요.
I didn’t arrive until it was late.
Here, 어서야 emphasizes that the arrival happened only after it became late. Without 야, the sentence would simply state a sequential relationship without an emphasis on timing.
This form has various usages, and for that reason has its own GRD entry.
어서라도
어서라도 expresses willingness to take an extreme or undesirable action to achieve a goal. This form combines the means/method usage of 어서 with the copula variant 라 and particle 도 meaning ‘even’.
P도 Example:
1불도 없다.
I don’t even have $1.
This form has the meaning of ‘extreme means’ where the first difficult action is needed to accomplish the second.
밤을 새워서라도 이 프로젝트를 끝내야 합니다.
I must finish this project, even if it means staying up all night.
Here, ‘staying up all night’ is an undesirable method, yet is willingly done to ‘finish the project.’ 어서라도 emphasizes the speaker’s determination despite hardship.
사람들을 실망시켜서라도 진실을 밝힐 필요가 있어요.
We must reveal the truth, even if it disappoints people.
Here, ‘disappointing people’ is an unpleasant but necessary method for some higher goal. 서라도 highlights that the second action (revealing secrets) is essential, even at a cost.
Key Features of 어서라도:
• The first action is something extreme, undesirable, or difficult.
• 어서라도 conveys strong determination to accomplish the second action despite hardships.
• The phrase often translates as “even if it means…” or “even at the cost of…”
More examples:
돈을 빌려서라도 그 콘서트에 꼭 갈 거야.
I’ll definitely go to that concert, even if I have to borrow money.
회사를 그만둬서라도 내 꿈을 이루고 싶습니다.
I want to achieve my dream, even if it means quitting my job.
밤을 새워서라도 이 프로젝트를 끝내야 합니다.
I must finish this project, even if it means staying up all night.
집을 팔아서라도 어머니 수술비를 마련해야 돼요.
Even if I have to sell the house, I must prepare money for my mother’s surgery.
잠을 줄여서라도 이번 시험엔 꼭 합격하고 말겠어.
Even if it means sleeping less, I’ll definitely pass this exam.
사람들을 실망시켜서라도 진실을 밝힐 필요가 있어요.
We must reveal the truth, even if it disappoints people.
자존심을 버려서라도 그 사람에게 사과해야 한다고 생각해요.
I think you should apologize to that person, even if it means putting aside your pride.
어서인지
어서인지 expresses speculation or uncertainty regarding the cause of a certain situation. This form combines the reason/cause meaning of 어서 with {ㄴ|는|ㄹ}지, which implies uncertainty.
M지 Example:
가게가 문을 열었는지 몰라요.
I’m not sure if the store is open.
This form expresses that the preceding statement possibly explains the following outcome.
영희는 외동이어서인지 혼자 있는 걸 잘 못하더라.
Perhaps because 영희 is an only child, she’s not good at being alone.
Here, the speaker suggests whether ‘being an only child’ is the reason for lacking independence, but has a degree of uncertainty.
요즘 운동을 꾸준히 해서인지 몸이 한결 가벼워요.
Perhaps because I’ve been exercising regularly, my body feels much lighter.
In this example, regular exercise is speculated as the reason for feeling better physically.
Key features of 어서인지:
• Expresses uncertain or speculative reason/cause.
• Usually translates as “Maybe it’s because…” or “Perhaps because…”
• 인지 implies a possible connection without confirming causation.
More examples:
비가 와서인지 공기가 상쾌하네.
The air feels fresh, possibly because it rained.
식단을 바꿔서인지 피부가 좋아진 것 같아.
Perhaps because I changed my diet, my skin seems to have improved.
목소리가 차분해서인지 되게 인자해 보이네.
Maybe because their voice is calm, they seem very gentle.
점심을 너무 급하게 먹어서인지 속이 더부룩해.
Perhaps eating lunch too quickly made my stomach feel bloated.
성격이 원래 밝아서인지 항상 주변에 사람이 많다.
Maybe it’s because their personality is naturally bright, but they always have people around them.
날이 더워서인지, 평소엔 잘 자는데 자꾸 잠이 깨네.
Maybe it’s because the weather is hot, I usually sleep well, but I keep waking up.
마르코 씨는 한국 음악을 자주 들어서 그런지 발음이 자연스러워요.
Perhaps because Marco listens to Korean music often, his pronunciation is natural.
Examples from NIKL 사전:
눈이 내려서인지 바닥이 얼어 있었다.
Perhaps because it snowed, the ground was frozen.
승규는 막내이어서인지 가끔 철없이 굴었다.
Since Seunggyu is the youngest, he sometimes acted immaturely.
밥을 잘 안 챙겨 먹어서인지 머리가 어지러웠다.
Perhaps because I didn’t eat properly, my head was spinning.
A: 저 아이가 지수네 딸이래.
A: That child is supposedly Jisoo’s daughter.
B: 지수네가 키가 커서인지 딸도 키가 크네.
A: Maybe because Jisoo is tall, her daughter is tall too.
어서 죽겠다
This colloquial form is used to express intense physical and emotional states. While its literal meaning suggests death, Koreans dramatically use this form to convey that something is unbearable or extreme.
겠다 Example:
안이 덥겠어요.
It must be hot inside.
어서 죽겠다 combines the reason/cause usage of 어서 with 죽다 and the conjecture usage of 겠 (literally meaning “will die”). Note that this phrase is often simply 어 죽겠다 (without 서).
배가 고파서 죽겠어!
I’m starving!
Here, the speaker isn’t actually dying of hunger—rather, they’re expressing that their hunger has reached an intense, almost unbearable level.
머리가 아파 죽겠어.
My head is killing me.
Here, 죽겠다 indicates that the pain has become overwhelming. Notice how the English translation also uses an intensifying metaphor (“killing me”).
While 죽겠다 might seem dramatic to English speakers, it’s a perfectly ordinary part of Korean speech, frequently used by young speakers in casual settings. The construction creates a sense of shared experience—when someone says they’re “dying” of hunger or boredom, they’re expressing something that others can readily understand and relate to.
Key features of 어서 죽겠다:
• Used to emphasize that something is unbearable or overwhelming.
• Despite the dramatic literal meaning, it’s a natural way to express discomfort or struggle.
• It is rarely used for positive emotions like happiness.
More examples:
더워 죽겠어.
I’m dying from the heat.
심심해 죽겠어요.
I’m bored to death.
머리 아파서 죽겠어.
I have a terrible headache.
너무 추워서 죽겠어요!
It’s too freaking cold!
일이 많아서 죽겠어요.
I’m overwhelmed with work.
기분이 나빠서 죽겠어요.
I’m in a foul mood.
친구가 보고 싶어서 죽겠어요.
I miss my friend terribly.
스팸이 계속 와서 죽겠어!
I’m so annoyed by the constant spam!
어서 그런지
어서 그런지 expresses a conjecture about the possible reason for a result. It’s derived from the reason/cause usage of the 어서, combined with 그렇다 (to be so/like that) and {ㄴ|는|ㄹ}지, which implies uncertainty.
M지 Example:
가게가 문을 열었는지 몰라요.
I’m not sure if the store is open.
어서 그런지 implies speculation about whether the stated cause really explains the outcome. It can often be translated into “perhaps because,” or “maybe it’s because.”
어제 늦게 자서 그런지 오늘 집중이 잘 안 돼.
Perhaps because I slept late yesterday, I can’t concentrate well today.
Here, the speaker guesses the reason (sleeping late yesterday) for the visible outcome (difficulty concentrating).
한국에서 오래 살아서 그런지 이제 익숙해졌어요.
Probably because I’ve lived in Korea for a long time, I’ve gotten used to it.
Here, the speaker presupposes that living in Korea for an extended period has made them accustomed to life there.
Key Features of 어서 그런지:
• 그런지 indicates the speaker’s reasoning regarding the outcome.
• Implies the speaker has a degree of hesitation.
• Used mainly in conversational contexts as polite speculation.
More examples:
바빠서 그런지 영희는 항상 피곤해 보여요.
Maybe because she is busy, 영희 always looks tired.
날씨가 흐려서 그런지 기분이 좀 우울하네.
Maybe because the weather is cloudy, I feel a little down.
운동을 꾸준히 해서 그런지 몸이 건강해졌어요.
Probably because I’ve been exercising consistently, my body has gotten healthier.
운동을 안 해서 그런지 체력이 많이 떨어졌군요.
Maybe because I haven’t been exercising, my stamina has decreased a lot.
시험 기간이라서 그런지 도서관에 사람이 많습니다.
Maybe because it’s exam season, there are a lot of people in the library.
요즘 스트레스를 많이 받아서 그런지 입맛이 없어요.
Maybe because I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, I have no appetite.
A: 주말인데 거리가 조용하네요.
A: It’s the weekend, but the streets are quiet.
B: 비가 와서 그랬는지 사람들이 별로 없어요.
B: Maybe because it rained, there aren’t many people around.
어서는 안 된다
어서는 안 된다 expresses prohibition or restriction, indicating that an action or state is not permitted, allowed, or acceptable. This form combines the continuative usage of 어서 with 안 되다, meaning ‘should not’, or ‘not permitted.’ Particle 는 is used to emphasize a strong negation.
운전할 때는 핸드폰을 사용해서는 안 됩니다.
You must not use your phone while driving.
Here, ‘using your phone’ represents an action explicitly prohibited during the (continuative) state of ‘driving.’ 어서는 안 된다 emphasizes the strictness of the rule.
잠들기 전에 너무 늦게까지 핸드폰을 봐서는 안 돼요.
You shouldn’t use your phone too late before bed.
In this case, ‘using your phone too late’ is discouraged due to the negative consequences. 어서는 안 된다 highlights that avoiding this action is recommended.
Key Features of 어서는 안 된다:
• Expresses prohibition or negative outcome.
• Highlights actions or states that must be avoided.
• Common translations include “must not,” “should not,” or “not allowed/permitted to…”
More examples:
근거 없는 소문을 퍼뜨려서는 안 됩니다.
You must not spread baseless rumors.
음식을 먹을 때 입을 벌리고 씹어서는 안 돼요.
You should not chew with your mouth open while eating.
기차 안에서는 너무 큰 소리로 이야기해서는 안 됩니다.
You must not talk too loudly on the train.
그래도 상대방이 부담 느낄 만큼 비싼 선물을 해서는 안 돼.
Still, you shouldn’t give a gift so expensive that it makes them feel pressured.
비밀번호는 쉽게 추측할 수 있는 숫자로 설정해서는 안 됩니다.
You should not set your password to something that’s easy to guess.
이 반죽은 너무 질어서는 안 돼, 그러니까 물을 조금씩 넣어 봐.
This dough shouldn’t be too wet, so add the water little by little.
나는 단지 이번 여행이 기대만큼 재미있을지 확신이 안 서는 것뿐이야.
I’m just not sure if this trip will be as fun as I expected.
교육 기관에서는 특정 종교를 강요해서는 안 된다고 주장하는 사람들이 많다.
Many people argue that religious beliefs should not be forced in educational institutions.
Examples from NIKL 사전:
공연 중에 떠들어서는 안 된대.
They say you shouldn’t make noise during the performance.
길에 쓰레기를 버려서는 안 됩니다.
You must not throw trash on the street.
실수가 있어서는 안 되니 다시 한번 확인하세요.
There shouldn’t be any mistakes, so please check it once more.
아기를 재울 때는 자장가 소리가 너무 커서는 안 돼요.
When putting the baby to sleep, the lullaby shouldn’t be too loud.
A: 엄마, 너무 배고파요. 밥 많이 주세요.
Mom, I’m so hungry. Please give me a lot of food.
B: 그래도 배고프다고 너무 빨리 먹어서는 안 돼. 천천히 먹으렴.
Even if you’re hungry, you shouldn’t eat too fast. Eat slowly.
에 이어서
Noun+에 이어서 expresses how one event occurs after another. It’s based on the sequential meaning of 어서 combined with the verb 잇다, meaning ‘to connect’ or ‘continue’. This indicates either a time-based sequence or a ranking/order relationship.
봄에 이어서 여름이 금방 온다.
After spring, summer comes quickly.
Here, the first state ‘spring’ is followed by the second state ‘summer’. 이어서 provides the meaning of “following in sequence”.
More examples:
커피에 이어서 홍차를 가장 자주 마셔요.
After coffee, I drink black tea most.
피아노에 이어서 바이올린도 배우고 있어.
After learning piano, I’m also learning violin.
수업이 끝나자마자 회의에 이어서 저녁 약속이 있어요.
Right after class, I have a meeting, followed by a dinner appointment.
런던에 이어서 파리가 유럽에서 두 번째로 인기 있는 관광지예요.
Following London, Paris is the second most popular tourist destination in Europe.
우리 팀에서 철수, 영희에 이어서 내가 세 번째로 점수를 많이 냈다!
In our team, I scored the third most points after 철수 and 영희!
Adverb 이어서
Note that 이어서 is also an adverb with the meaning “to continue with something previously said or done”.
Examples from 표준국어대사전 and NIKL 사전
이어서 강의하다.
Continue lecturing.
이어서 나오다.
Come out continuously.
이어서 식사하다.
Continue eating.
이어서 열리다.
Be held in succession.
바로 이어서.
Right after that.
곧 이어서 회장님의 연설이 있겠습니다.
Soon after, the chairman’s speech will take place.
팀 회의가 끝나고 이어서 전체 회의가 열렸다.
After the team meeting ended, the general meeting was held.
오늘 수업에서는 어제에 이어서 한국어의 어순에 대해서 공부하기로 하겠습니다.
In today’s class, we will continue studying Korean word order from yesterday.
A: 이어서 하는 프로그램 뭔 줄 알아?
A: 응. 드라마 할 시간이네.
A: Do you know what program is on next?
B: Yeah, it’s time for the drama.
옆집 벨 소리가 울리고 이어서 집 안에서 누군가 신발 끌고 나오는 소리가 들렸다.
The doorbell rang next door, followed by the sound of someone dragging their shoes inside the house.
불이 꺼지고 이어서 영화가 시작되었다.
The lights went out, and then the movie started.
Additional details
General
• Every grammarian will say that the sequential usage must have the same subject between clauses. This is almost always correct. However, we can find examples where this isn’t true, as in:
아우가 나무를 잘라서 형이 장에 갔다 팔았다.
The younger brother cut the wood and then the older brother went and sold it at the market.
Origin
• 어서 was present in Late Middle Korean and developed from the “infinitive” suffix 어 and the existential verb 이시어 expressing the resultant duration of an action. The phonological reduction is as follows:
어 이시어 ➔ 어 이셔 ➔ 어셔 ➔ 어서
When 어 이시어 connected two clauses, it highlighted that the state of a verb remained through the following clause. For example, “앉아 이시어” would mean ‘the state of sitting’ remained through the proceeding clause. That is, 어 이시어 emphasized that the second clause should be understood in the context of or in the remaining state produced by the first clause.
The table below depicts the evolutions of 어서 usages over time. Source: Kim 2011
| Function | 15th Century | 18th Century | Present Day Korean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential | 57% | 75% | 51% |
| Temporal | 22% | 10% | 4% |
| Causal | 9% | 13% | 45% |
| Obsolete functions | 12% | 2% | 0% |
Associated grammar
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See also
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Bibliography
— Ahn, H. (2020). A pragmatic account of the grammatical construction e kaciko in comparison with the connective ese in sequential contexts. 언어사실과 관점, 49, 207-228.
— Cho, H., Kim, U., Son, J., Ryu, S., Lee, S., Jung, H., & Jeong, H. (2017). Master Korean 3-1 Intermediate. Paju-si: Darakwon.
— Choo, M., & Kwak, H. (2008). Using Korean: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. New York: Cambridge University Press.
— Hong, J. (2009, December). Event Structure Integration: Korean -ese Constructions. In Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (pp. 123-134).
— Ihm, H.B., Hong, K.P., & Chang, S.I. (2001). Korean Grammar for International Learners. Seoul: Yonsei University Press.
— King, R., Yeon, J., Kim, C., & Baker, D. (2015). Advanced Korean. Boston: Tuttle Publishing.
— King, R., Yeon, J., & Lee, I. (2015) Continuing Korean. Boston: Tuttle Publishing.
— Kingdom, L. (2015). Essential Korean Grammar: Your Essential Guide to Speaking and Writing Korean Fluently!. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing.
— Kim, H. (1990). Continuity of Action and Topic in Discourse. Japanese/Korean Linguistics, 1, 79–96.
— Kim, M. (2011). Grammaticalization in Korean: The Evolution of the Existential Verb. London: Saffron Books.
— Kim, N. (2000). Modern Korean: An Intermediate Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.
— Min, J., & Ahn, J. (2011). Korean Grammar in Use: Intermediate. Paju-si: Darakwon
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -어서].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. 어어서].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -어서인지].
— Yeon, J., & Brown, L. (2008). Korean: A Comprehensive Grammar. New York: Routledge.
— You, C., & Cho, E. (2002). Intermediate College Korean. Berkeley: University of California Press.
— 강계림. (2016). 상황상에 따른 연결어미 ‘-어서’의 의미 분화. 한말연구, 40, 5-31.
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. 라서].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -어서].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. 이어-서].
— 이금희. (2023). 한국어 연결어미의 시제 선어말어미 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 제약 완화 현상에 대하여 ‘-어서’, ‘-(으)ㄹ수록’, ‘-(으)려고’, ‘-자’를 중심으로. 담화와인지, 30(4), 247-267.
— 이영준. (2018). 연결어미 ‘-아/어서’와 시간 표현 사용 양상 분석 – ‘-았/었어서’ 표현을 중심으로 –. 우리말글, 77, 1-21.
— 이재성. (2024). 동시 표현 연결어미 비교 연구 – 연결어미 ‘-고’, ‘-며’, ‘-면서’를 대상으로 –. 문법교육, 52, 123-148.
— 유민애, & 박형진. (2024). ‘-었어서’의 분포와 의미에 대한 고찰. 한말연구, 65(51), 1-22.
— 유유현. (2022). ‘-어서’ 구성의 구조적 다양성과 의미. 우리말글, 94, 59-92.
— 정수진. (2012). 연결어미 ‘-어서’의 의미 확장에 대한 인지언어학적 접근. 국어교육연구, 50, 405-428.