-기 때문에 is a formal way to express cause/reason - "because." More explicit and formal than -아/어서.
Formal explanations - Written language, presentations
Clear causation - Emphasizes the cause-effect link
Any sentence type - Works before commands, suggestions, questions
Verb/Adj stem + 기 때문에. For nouns: N + (이)기 때문에 or N 때문에.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
-기 때문에 vs -아/어서
- 기 때문에 = formal, explicit cause
- 아/어서 = casual, natural flow
- ✅ 기 때문에 works with commands; 아/어서 does not
Past tense in the clause
- ✅ 먹었기 때문에 (because I ate)
- Can mark tense before 때문에
Noun form exists - N + 때문에
- 비 때문에 (because of rain)
Because I am a student, I can get a discount.
Because I was late, I took a taxi.
Please bring an umbrella because it is raining.
There are so many people at the department store because it is the weekend.
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