Usage of '그래서'
'그래서' is a very common conjunction in Korean that means 'and so' or 'therefore.' It is used to connect two sentences where the second sentence is a result or consequence of the first. It often appears in everyday conversation to explain reasons or outcomes.
Common Contexts
You will hear '그래서' frequently when someone explains why something happened or what they plan to do next based on a previous fact or event. It is neutral in politeness and can be used in both formal and informal speech.
Typical Collocations
- '그래서' + [result clause]: to show cause and effect.
- '그래서 그런지': to express a reason that might explain something.
- '그래서 어떻게 해?': a common phrase meaning 'So what will you do?'
Important Notes
Do not confuse '그래서' with '그러나' (however) or '그런데' (by the way/but), which introduce contrast rather than cause and effect. '그래서' always indicates a logical consequence.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes omit '그래서' and just list two sentences without a connector, which can make the relationship between ideas unclear. Using '그래서' clarifies that the second sentence is a direct result of the first.