Understanding '이유' (Reason)
The Korean noun '이유' means 'reason' or 'cause'. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to ask or explain why something happened or why someone did something.
Common Usage
'이유' is often paired with verbs like '말하다' (to say), '모르다' (to not know), and '없다' (to not have) to express asking for or explaining reasons.
Politeness and Context
'이유' is neutral in politeness and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When asking for reasons politely, it is common to add '-를 말해 주세요' (please tell me).
Common Collocations
- 이유를 말하다: to tell the reason
- 이유를 모르다: to not know the reason
- 이유 없이: without reason
Learner Tip
A common mistake is confusing '이유' with '원인' (cause), which is more formal and often used in scientific or technical contexts. Use '이유' for everyday reasons and explanations.