-(으)니까

So, Because

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-니까 is a connective ending that means 'because' or 'so'. It links a reason in the first clause to a result, command, or suggestion in the second clause.

Hvernig það virkar

-니까 is a crucial grammar pattern for expressing reasons, especially when leading to commands or suggestions. It's more versatile than -아/어서 in these situations.

Conjugation Rules:
1. Verb/Adjective stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ: Add -니까.

가다 (to go) → 가니까 (because I go)
예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁘니까 (because it's pretty)
만들다 (to make) → 만드니까 (because I make) (Note: ㄹ is dropped)

2. Verb/Adjective stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): Add -으니까.

먹다 (to eat) → 먹으니까 (because I eat)
좋다 (to be good) → 좋으니까 (because it's good)

3. Nouns: Add -(이)니까.

학생 (student) → 학생이니까 (because I'm a student)
주말 (weekend) → 주말이니까 (because it's the weekend)

Key Usages:
1. Reason for a Command or Suggestion
This is the most important function of -니까 and its main difference from -아/어서. The second clause is often a command (-으세요), a suggestion (-ㄹ까요?), or a proposal (-ㅂ시다).
• 날씨가 추우니까 옷을 따뜻하게 입으세요. (Because the weather is cold, please dress warmly.)
• 이 영화가 재미있으니까 같이 봐요. (Because this movie is fun, let's watch it together.)

2. Reason based on Speaker's Discovery
-니까 can be used when the speaker realizes something and then states the result. It often translates to 'When I did X, I found that Y, so...'.
• 집에 와 보니까 아무도 없었어요. (When I came home, I found that nobody was there.)

3. Use with Tense
Unlike -아/어서, -니까 can be attached to the past tense marker -았/었-.
• 어제 시험이 끝났으니까 오늘은 놀러 가자. (Because the exam finished yesterday, let's go hang out today.)

Dæmi (5)

날씨가 더우니까 에어컨을 켤까요?
Since it's hot, shall we turn on the air conditioner?
Orð fyrir orð: Weather hot-because air conditioner shall turn on?
The reason (it's hot) is followed by a suggestion (shall we turn on the AC?).
지금은 바쁘니까 나중에 전화해 주세요.
I'm busy right now, so please call me later.
Orð fyrir orð: Now busy-because later call please give.
The reason (I'm busy) is followed by a command/request (please call later).
어제 숙제를 다 했으니까 오늘은 마음이 편해요.
Because I finished all my homework yesterday, I feel at ease today.
Orð fyrir orð: Yesterday homework all did-because today mind is comfortable.
Þetta dæmi sýnir -니까 notað með þátíðarmerkinu -했-. Ólíkt -아/어서 getur -니까 tekið þátíðarmerki, og þá hljómar það oft eins og þú sért að útskýra ástæðu þína.
저는 외국인이니까 한국말을 잘 못해요.
Because I am a foreigner, I don't speak Korean well.
Orð fyrir orð: I foreigner-because Korean language well cannot do.
Here, -이니까 is attached to a noun (외국인) to state a reason.
창문을 여니까 시원한 바람이 들어왔어요.
When I opened the window, a cool breeze came in.
Orð fyrir orð: Window open-so cool breeze came in.
This shows the 'discovery' nuance. The action of opening the window led to the discovery/result of a cool breeze.

Algeng mistök

Using -아/어서 with commands or suggestions.
날씨가 좋아서 공원에 갑시다.
날씨가 좋으니까 공원에 갑시다.
The grammar pattern -아/어서 cannot be followed by propositive sentences (let's do...) or imperative sentences (please do...). You must use -니까 in these cases.
Using the past tense marker -았/었- before -아/어서.
어제 피곤했어서 일찍 잤어요.
어제 피곤해서 일찍 잤어요.
Þú getur ekki tengt þátíðarendingu beint við -아/어서. Tíðin kemur fram í lokasögninni.