그래서
So, Therefore
Use 그래서 to mean 'so' or 'therefore', connecting a reason to a result.
How It Works
그래서 is one of the most common ways to express a cause-and-effect relationship in Korean. It functions like 'so' or 'therefore' in English.
Structure:
[Sentence 1: Cause/Reason]. 그래서 [Sentence 2: Result/Effect].
For example:
피곤했어요. 그래서 일찍 잤어요.
I was tired. So, I went to bed early.
It's important to note that 그래서 connects two complete sentences. This makes it slightly different from other connectors like -아/어서 and -니까, which connect clauses within a single sentence.
- 그래서: Connects two separate sentences. Neutral tone. Cannot be used before commands or suggestions.
- -아/어서: Connects two closely related clauses in one sentence. Cannot be used before commands or suggestions.
- -니까: Connects two clauses. Often used for subjective reasons and can be used before commands or suggestions (e.g., 'Since it's cold, please close the window').
Examples (4)
- 어제 비가 많이 왔어요. 그래서 오늘 길이 미끄러워요.
It rained a lot yesterday. So, the roads are slippery today.
Word by Word: Yesterday rain a lot came. So today road is slippery.
- 저는 매운 음식을 잘 못 먹어요. 그래서 김치찌개는 안 먹을 거예요.
I can't eat spicy food well. Therefore, I'm not going to eat kimchi stew.
Word by Word: I spicy food well cannot eat. So kimchi stew will not eat.
- 오늘 시험이 있어요. 그래서 도서관에 가서 공부해야 해요.
I have an exam today. That's why I have to go to the library and study.
Word by Word: Today exam exists. So to the library go and have to study.
- 늦게 일어났어요. 그래서 학교에 늦었어요.
I woke up late. So, I was late for school.
Word by Word: Late woke up. So to school was late.
Common Mistakes
Using 그래서 before a command or suggestion.
Not Quite날씨가 좋아요. 그래서 공원에 갑시다.Better날씨가 좋으니까 공원에 갑시다.그래서 cannot be followed by a proposal (like -ㅂ시다) or a command (like -세요). To give a reason for a suggestion or command, you must use -니까.
Using 그래서 when -아/어서 would be more natural.
Different Meaning머리가 아파요. 그래서 약을 먹었어요.Better머리가 아파서 약을 먹었어요.While the incorrect example is grammatically understandable, it sounds a bit disconnected. When the cause and effect are very closely and directly linked, like feeling sick and taking medicine, connecting them in a single sentence with -아/어서 is much more natural.
Related Patterns
- -아/어서Because of, Therefore
Both express cause and effect. However, -아/어서 connects two clauses within a single sentence, while 그래서 connects two separate sentences.
- -(으)니까So, Because
Both mean 'so' or 'because'. The main difference is that -니까 can be used before commands and suggestions, while 그래서 cannot.
- -기 때문에Because
A more formal or emphatic way to state a reason, similar to 'because of'. It can be used at the end of a clause (-기 때문에) or as a standalone phrase (그렇기 때문에).
- 그런데But, However, By the Way
A conjunctive adverb like 그래서, but it shows contrast ('but', 'however') instead of cause and effect.
- 그러면Then, In That Case
Another conjunctive adverb. It shows a condition ('if so', 'then'), whereas 그래서 shows a reason ('so', 'therefore').