-길래
Since, Because
-길래 is used when the speaker's observation of a situation or fact becomes the direct reason for their subsequent action or question. It's like saying 'I saw/heard that... so I...'
How It Works
-길래 is a connective ending used to explain the reason or cause for the action in the main clause. The key nuance is that the reason is something the speaker personally observed, heard, or felt, which then prompted them to act.
Conjugation:
It attaches directly to the stem of verbs and adjectives.
- Verb/Adjective Stem + -길래
- 보다 (to see) → 보길래 (since I saw)
- 춥다 (to be cold) → 춥길래 (since it was cold) - Past Tense: Stem + -았/었- + -길래
- 봤다 (saw) → 봤길래 (since I had seen)
- 좋았다 (was good) → 좋았길래 (since it had been good) - Noun + 이다: Noun + 이길래
- 학생이다 (to be a student) → 학생이길래 (since they were a student)
Key Usage Points:
1. Speaker's Observation: The reason in the -길래 clause is based on the speaker's direct perception.
2. Subject: The subject of the first clause (the reason) and the second clause (the action) are usually different. However, if the first clause describes an internal state or feeling of the speaker, the subjects can be the same (e.g., 배가 고프길래 밥을 먹었어요 - Because I was hungry, I ate).
3. Restriction: The main clause following -길래 cannot be an imperative (command) or a propositive (suggestion). For commands and suggestions, you should use -(으)니까.
Comparison with other 'because' patterns:
- vs. -아/어서: Indicates a general, logical cause-and-effect. -길래 is more subjective and tied to a specific observation prompting an action.
- vs. -(으)니까: Can be used with commands/suggestions. -길래 cannot. -길래 emphasizes the speaker's personal observation as the trigger.
- vs. -기 때문에: More formal and objective. -길래 is conversational and subjective.
Examples (5)
- 창밖에 눈이 오길래 그냥 집에 있었어요.
It was snowing outside, so I just stayed home.
Word by Word: Outside the window snow was coming, so just at home I was.
The speaker observed that it was snowing (눈이 오길래) and this became the reason for their action (staying home).
- 친구가 영화가 아주 재미있다고 하길래 저도 봤어요.
My friend said the movie was very fun, so I watched it too.
Word by Word: Friend movie is very fun said, so I also watched.
The reason for watching the movie was hearing the friend's opinion (재미있다고 하길래).
- 아기가 자꾸 울길래 우유를 줬어요.
The baby kept crying, so I gave him some milk.
Word by Word: Baby kept crying, so milk I gave.
Observing the baby's crying (자꾸 울길래) prompted the speaker to give milk.
- 백화점에서 세일을 하길래 옷을 몇 벌 샀어요.
They were having a sale at the department store, so I bought a few clothes.
Word by Word: At the department store a sale was happening, so clothes a few items I bought.
The speaker saw that there was a sale (세일을 하길래) and that was the reason for buying clothes.
- 저 사람이 한국 사람이길래 한국말로 말을 걸었어요.
I figured that person was Korean, so I spoke to them in Korean.
Word by Word: That person Korean person was, so in Korean words I initiated.
This example uses the pattern with a noun (한국 사람 + 이길래). The observation that the person was Korean led to the action of speaking in Korean.
Common Mistakes
Using -길래 with commands or suggestions.
Not Quite날씨가 춥길래 따뜻하게 입으세요.Better날씨가 추우니까 따뜻하게 입으세요.-길래 cannot be followed by a command (imperative) or suggestion (propositive). Use -(으)니까 instead when giving a reason for a command or suggestion.
Using -길래 for general truths or objective reasons.
Not Quite물이 100도이길래 끓어요.Better물이 100도이기 때문에 끓어요.-길래 is used for personal, subjective reasons based on observation, not for stating objective, scientific facts. Use -기 때문에 for such cases.
Learn This First
To express reasons 'since/because', you need verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -아/어서Because of, Therefore
Both express a reason. -아/어서 is for general cause-and-effect, while -길래 is specifically for a reason based on the speaker's personal observation that leads to their own action.
- -(으)니까So, Because
Both express a reason. However, -(으)니까 can be used with commands and suggestions, while -길래 cannot. -(으)니까 often presents a reason the listener might also be aware of, whereas -길래 emphasizes the speaker's own observation as the trigger for their action.
- -기 때문에Because
A more formal and objective way to state a reason. -길래 is conversational and subjective, based on personal experience.
- -더니I Noticed, And Then
Related as it also involves observation. -더니 connects an observed past event with a resulting change or new fact (e.g., 'He studied hard, and then he passed'). -길래 connects an observed event with the speaker's own subsequent action (e.g., 'I saw him studying hard, so I bought him a snack').