-(으)ㄹ 테니까
Since/because (Future)
-ㄹ 테니까 combines the future/supposition marker -ㄹ 터 with the reason marker -(으)니까. It's used to provide a reason for a suggestion or command based on what the speaker intends to do or assumes will happen.
How It Works
This pattern is a combination of three parts:
1. -ㄹ/을 터: A dependent noun phrase indicating an intention, plan, or expectation.
2. 이다: The copula 'to be'.
3. -(으)니까: A connective meaning 'because' or 'so'.
Together, -ㄹ/을 테니까 creates a meaning of 'since I intend to...' or 'since it will probably be...'. It's primarily used in two ways:
1. Expressing the Speaker's Intention (1st Person Subject)
This is used when the speaker states what they will do, and uses that action as the reason for a suggestion, command, or request to the listener.
- 제가 운전할 테니까 걱정하지 마세요. (I will drive, so don't worry.)
- 이건 제가 할 테니까 다른 일을 하세요. (I'll do this, so please do something else.)
2. Expressing the Speaker's Strong Supposition (2nd/3rd Person Subject)
This is used when the speaker makes a strong guess about a future situation or another person's state, and uses that guess as the reason for a suggestion or command.
- 내일은 날씨가 추울 테니까 옷을 따뜻하게 입으세요. (It will probably be cold tomorrow, so dress warmly.)
- 지금은 길이 막힐 테니까 지하철을 탑시다. (The roads will probably be congested now, so let's take the subway.)
Conjugation:
- Verb/Adjective stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ + -ㄹ 테니까
- 가다 → 갈 테니까
- 만들다 → 만들 테니까 - Verb/Adjective stems ending in a consonant + -을 테니까
- 먹다 → 먹을 테니까
- 좋다 → 좋을 테니까 - Nouns + 일 테니까
- 주말이다 → 주말일 테니까
Examples (4)
- 제가 청소할 테니까 민준 씨는 요리해 주세요.
I'll do the cleaning, so Minjun, could you please do the cooking?
Word by Word: I will clean, so Minjun, please cook for me.
The speaker states their intention (cleaning) as the reason for their request (cooking).
- 내일은 비가 올 테니까 우산을 꼭 챙기세요.
It will probably rain tomorrow, so make sure to take an umbrella.
Word by Word: Tomorrow it will probably rain, so an umbrella for sure take.
The speaker's strong supposition about the weather is the reason for the advice to take an umbrella.
- 피곤할 테니까 먼저 들어가서 쉬세요.
You must be tired, so go in first and get some rest.
Word by Word: You will probably be tired, so first go in and rest.
The speaker assumes the listener is tired and uses this as a reason to suggest they rest.
- 지금은 회의 중일 테니까 나중에 다시 전화합시다.
They're probably in a meeting now, so let's call again later.
Word by Word: Now will probably be in the middle of a meeting, so later let's call again.
This example uses a noun (회의 중) with -일 테니까 to express a supposition.
Common Mistakes
Using -았/었을 테니까 for a simple, factual past reason.
Not Quite어제 시험이 어려웠을 테니까 잠을 못 잤어요.Better어제 시험이 어려웠으니까 잠을 못 잤어요.-았/었을 테니까 expresses a strong supposition about a past event ('it must have been...'). It cannot be used to state a simple, factual reason for a past outcome. To state a direct, factual reason that you know is true, use the past tense form of -(으)니까, which is -았/었으니까.
Following -ㄹ 테니까 with a simple declarative statement instead of a suggestion, command, or offer.
Not Quite제가 요리할 테니까 저녁이 맛있었어요.Better제가 요리할 테니까 맛있게 드세요.The clause following -ㄹ 테니까 is almost always a command (-(으)세요), suggestion (-(으)ㅂ시다), request (-아/어 주세요), or a statement of the speaker's will (-ㄹ게요). A simple past-tense statement like 'dinner was delicious' is an illogical consequence.
Learn This First
To express future assumptions with reasoning, you need modifier forms and causal patterns.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ게Will Do
Both patterns express the speaker's intention. -ㄹ게 is a statement of intention ('I will do...'), often as a promise or response. -ㄹ 테니까 uses that intention as a reason for a suggestion or command to someone else ('Because I will do..., you should...').
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 텐데I Expect, It's Likely to
Both express a supposition about a future situation. However, -ㄹ 텐데 is typically followed by a contrasting situation or background information ('It will probably be cold, but...'), while -ㄹ 테니까 is followed by a logical consequence, usually a suggestion or command ('It will probably be cold, so...').
- -(으)ㄹ 거(예요/야)Will, Probably
Both relate to the future. -ㄹ 거예요 is a standard way to state a future plan or prediction. -ㄹ 테니까 takes that future plan/prediction and uses it as the reason for something else.