A/V-고 해서 [Korean Grammar]

In today's blog, we’ll look at how to construct sentences with "A/V-고 해서" Korean grammar pattern, with some example sentences.

Usage of A/V-고 해서 :

This grammar pattern is used generally to express the main reason among several other reasons for the cause of any action. 

The first clause is the primary reason for the cause of the second clause. 

This pattern is equivalent to 'A is one of the reasons why B'.

Example : 

1) 비가 많이 내리고 해서 안 갔어.

I didn't go because it rained a lot.

There could be other reasons, the primary reason for the person to not go was because of the rain. 

Examples of A/V+ 고 해서:

1. 늦게 먹고 해서 - because I eat late / because I ate late
2. 없고 해서 - because I don’t have it / because something was missing
3. 불편하고 해서 - because it’s inconvenient
4. 비싸고 해서 - Because it's expensive. 
5. 비가 내리고 했어 - Because it is pouring. 
6. 있고 해서 - because it’s there / because I have it
7. 예쁘고 해서 - Because it's pretty.

Specific usage of N도 A/V 고 해서 :

The above example can also be written using N도 A/V-고 해서.

As you may know, 도 in English means “also” or “even.”

Let’s understand the usage with the following examples:

• 비도 많이 내리고 해서 안 갔어.
   It was even raining, so I didn’t go.
  In this example, it can be interpreted as an excuse or a reason. Among several reasons, the rain was one of the reasons the person didn’t go.
• 날씨도 춥고 해서 집에 일찍 돌아갔어요.
  Even the weather was cold, so I went home early.
  Here, among several reasons, the cold weather was one of the reasons the person went home early.

Some examples sentences :

1) 비도 오고 해서 온종일 집에 있었어요.

It was raining, so I stayed at home all day.

2) 두 사람은 취미도 같고 해서 자주 만나요.

The two have the same hobbies, so they meet often.

3) 하숙을 옮기고 해서 친구들을 초대했지요.

I moved to the boarding house so I invited my friends.

4) 시간이 없고 해서 못 가요.

I can't go because I don't have time.

5) 몸에 안 좋고 해서 담배를 끊었어요.

I quit smoking because it wasn't good for my body.

6) 한국 남자친구가 있고 해서 한국어를 배워요.

I have a Korean boyfriend, so I am learning Korean.

~고 해서 is used with adjectives and verbs. But what about nouns ?

The pattern used with noun is: N + 이고 해서

1. 친구이고 해서- Because he is my friend.
2. 배우이고 해서 - Because she is an actress. 
3. 학생이고 해서 - Because we are students. 
4. 가수이고 해서 - Because he is a singer.
5. 선생님이고 해서 - Because she is a teacher. 

There are other ways to describe these kinds of situations.

You can say:

• N도 A/V-고, N도 A/V-고 해서
  기분도 안 좋고, 비도 내리고 해서 안 갔어.
  In the most literal sense: I didn't even feel good, and it was even raining, so I didn’t go.

Or you can use:

• A/V-기도 하고, A/V-기도 하고 해서
  비가 내리기도 하고, 바람 불기도 하고 해서 안 갔어.
  In the most literal sense: It was even raining, and the wind was even blowing, so I didn’t go.

To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:

1. TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.

Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions. Comment down below.