TTMIK Level 7 Lesson 9 - PDF

In this lesson, we are taking a look at the verb ending -느라고, which is used to link two verbs or actions as reason and result. There are other expressions in Korean that you can use to talk about the reason for a result, but -느라고 is used specifically when the result is somewhat negative and you want to mention an excuse or reason. Structure: Action + -느라고 + action/state The verb that comes before -느라고 should be an action. (ex. 먹다, 잡다, 읽다, 일하다, etc.) The verb that comes after -느라고, however, can be either an action or a state. Example: 일하다 + -느라고 + 못 가다 (work) + -느라고 + (can't go) 일하느라고 못 갔어요. [i-ra-neu-ra-go mot ga-sseo-yo.] = I couldn't go because I was working. = I was working so I couldn't go. Here, 일하다 is your excuse/reason for not being able to go somewhere. -느라고 is usually associated with negative or undesirable results, but you can sometimes use it in a more neutral sense, to mention a goal or an objective. Example: 시험 준비 하느라고 바빠요. [si-heom jun-bi ha-neu-ra-go ba-ppa-yo.] = I'm busy preparing for an exam. 먹을 것을 찾느라고 잠깐 냉장고를 열었어요. [meo-geul geo-seul chat-neu-ra-go jam-kkan naeng-jang-go-reul yeo-reo-sseo-yo.] = I opened the refrigerator for a little bit to look for something to eat. The tense of the entire sentence is expressed through the second verb, so you can only use -느라고 with the verb stem of the first verb. Ex) 준비 했느라고 (x) 준비 하느라고 (o) 가겠느라고 (x) 가느라고 (o) Sample Sentences 1. 운동하느라고 전화 온 줄 몰랐어요. [un-dong-ha-neu-ra-go jeon-hwa on jul mol-la-sseo-yo.] = I was working out so I didn't know that you were calling. = I was working out so I didn't know I received a phone call. 2. 청소하느라고 계속 집에 있었어요. [cheong-so-ha-neu-ra-go gye-sok ji-be i-sseo-sseo-yo.] = I was cleaning so I stayed at home all along. = I stayed at home all day because I was cleaning. 3. 뭐 하느라고 이렇게 늦었어요? [mwo ha-neu-ra-go i-reo-ke neu-jeo-sseo-yo.] = What were you doing to be so late? = Why are you so late? 4. 그때 아마 일 하느라 바쁠 거예요. 그래도 연락해 보세요. [geu-ttae a-ma il ha-neu-ra ba-ppeul geo-ye-yo. geu-rae-do yeol-la-ke bo-se-yo.] = At that time, I will probably be busy working. But still try calling me. 5. 학비를 내느라고 돈을 다 썼어요. [hak-bi-reul nae-neu-ra-go do-neul da sseo-sseo-yo.] = I spent all the money paying for my tuition fees. Instead of the full -느라고, you can also use -느라. (ex. 운동하느라, 청소하느라, 뭐 하느라, 일 하느라, 학비 내느라, etc.) Two more things to remember: 1. The subject of the two verbs should be the same when you use -느라고. Ex) 친구가 일하느라, 저는 여기 있었어요. (x) 친구가 일해서, 저는 여기 있었어요. (o) 2. You can't make an imperative or a "let's" sentence using -느라고. Ex) 지금 쇼핑 하느라, 같이 가자. (x) 지금 쇼핑 할 거니까, 같이 가자. (o)