Meaning and Usage
The Korean noun '때문' is used to indicate a cause or reason for something. It is often combined with the particle '에' to form '때문에', which means 'because of' or 'due to'. This word is very common in everyday conversation and writing when explaining reasons.
Common Collocations
- '때문에' (because of): Used to explain the cause of a situation.
- '때문이다' (it is because): Used to state the reason explicitly.
- '때문에 ~지 못하다' (cannot do something because of): Expresses inability due to a reason.
Usage Notes
'때문' is a noun, so it can be modified by other nouns or pronouns. When combined with '에', it forms the adverbial phrase '때문에'. It is important not to confuse '때문에' with '때문이다' which is a copula phrase.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes omit the particle '에' and say '때문' alone to mean 'because of', which is incorrect. Always use '때문에' when expressing cause.
Register
'때문에' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in written and formal spoken Korean than casual speech.