-로 인하다
Due to, Because of
-로 인하다 means "due to [Noun]" or "because of [Noun]". It's a formal way to state a cause for a resulting situation.
How It Works
-로 인하다 is a formal grammar pattern used to express a clear cause-and-effect relationship. It is primarily found in written language, such as news articles, official reports, and academic papers, as well as in formal presentations or announcements.
Formation:
It attaches directly to a noun.
- Nouns ending in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ + -로 인하다
(e.g., 사고 → 사고로 인하다, 실수 → 실수로 인하다) - Nouns ending in a consonant (except ㄹ) + -으로 인하다
(e.g., 태풍 → 태풍으로 인하다, 사건 → 사건으로 인하다)
Common Usage Forms:
While -로 인하다 is the base form, you will most often encounter it in these conjugated forms:
1. -로/으로 인해(서): This adverbial form connects the cause to the result clause. It means "due to..." or "as a result of...".
(e.g., 폭설로 인해 길이 막혔다. - The road was blocked due to the heavy snow.)
2. -로/으로 인한: This adjectival form modifies a noun that follows. It means "caused by..." or "resulting from...".
(e.g., 부주의로 인한 사고 - an accident caused by carelessness)
Nuances:
While it can be used for neutral situations, -로 인하다 is frequently used to explain the cause of negative events or problems. It is much more formal than common reason-giving patterns like -아/어서 or -기 때문에.
Examples (5)
- 폭설로 인해 많은 비행편이 결항되었습니다.
Due to the heavy snow, many flights were canceled.
Word by Word: Heavy snow due to many flights were canceled.
- 이번 사고는 운전자의 부주의로 인한 것이었습니다.
This accident was one caused by the driver's carelessness.
Word by Word: This accident driver's carelessness due to thing was.
Here, -로 인한 modifies the noun 것, meaning 'the thing/fact caused by...'
- 환경오염으로 인해 심각한 문제들이 발생하고 있습니다.
Serious problems are arising due to environmental pollution.
Word by Word: Environmental pollution due to serious problems are arising.
- 스트레스로 인한 건강 문제가 젊은 층에서 증가하고 있습니다.
Health problems caused by stress are increasing among the younger generation.
Word by Word: Stress due to health problems in the young generation are increasing.
- 갑작스러운 시스템 오류로 인해 서비스가 일시 중단되었습니다.
The service has been temporarily suspended due to a sudden system error.
Word by Word: Sudden system error due to service temporarily was suspended.
Common Mistakes
Using -로 인하다 in casual, everyday conversation.
Different Meaning친구야, 교통체증으로 인해서 늦었어.Better친구야, 차가 막혀서 늦었어.-로 인하다 is too formal for talking with friends. In casual situations, use simpler expressions like -아/어서 or -기 때문에. '차가 막혀서' is a much more natural way to say 'because of traffic'.
Attaching -로 인하다 directly to a verb stem instead of a noun.
Not Quite비가 많이 오다로 인해 경기가 취소되었어요.Better폭우로 인해 경기가 취소되었어요.-로 인하다 must follow a noun. To use a verb as the reason, you must first change it into a noun form using a nominalizer like -는 것 or -기 (e.g., 비가 많이 오는 것으로 인해). However, it's often more natural to use a single noun that summarizes the action, like '폭우' (heavy rain).
Learn This First
To express formal causation 'due to', you need the basic particle 로.
Related Patterns
- -기 때문에Because
Both express a reason or cause. However, -로 인하다 is more formal and typically used in writing with nouns, while -기 때문에 is a general-purpose reason marker used in both speech and writing with verbs, adjectives, and nouns (N + 이기 때문에).
- -아/어서Because of, Therefore
A common way to express a cause-and-effect relationship, especially in conversation. It's much less formal than -로 인하다 and has some grammatical restrictions (e.g., cannot be used with imperative sentences), which -로 인하다 does not have.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 탓에Because of, Due to
Similar to -로 인하다 as it indicates a reason, but -ㄴ/는 탓에 specifically implies that the reason led to a negative or undesirable outcome. -로 인하다 can be used for both negative and neutral results, though it's often associated with negative ones in news contexts.
- -에 의해By, Through, According to
Both are formal and used in written contexts. While -로 인하다 focuses on the 'cause' or 'reason' (due to), -에 의해 often indicates the 'means' or 'agent' by which something is done (by). They can sometimes overlap, but -에 의해 is more closely related to the passive voice.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.