Middle School - Grade 8
Lesson 7: "It's because..."
-(으)니까요
The Conversational "Because"
This grammar is simply the `-(으)니까` form you just learned, but used at the **end of a sentence**.
It's a very common and natural way to answer a "Why?" question, or to provide a reason for a statement you just made.
The Conjugation Rules
The rules are exactly the same as `-(으)니까`, just with `요` at the end!
Stem ends in Vowel or ㄹ
... + 니까요
바쁘다 바쁘니까요
"It's because (I'm) busy."
살다 사니까요 (ㄹ drops)
"It's because (I) live."
Stem ends in Consonant (except ㄹ)
... + 으니까요
많다 많으니까요
"It's because there is a lot."
춥다 추우니까요
"It's because it's cold."
Examples in Action
ANSWERING "WHY?"
A: 왜 안 먹어요? (Why aren't you eating?)
B: 배가 부르니까요. (It's because I'm full.)
(Note: 부르다 is a 르 irregular)
JUSTIFYING A STATEMENT
A: 오늘 일찍 잘 거예요. (I'm going to sleep early today.)
B: 왜요? (Why?)
A: 내일 시험이 있으니까요. (It's because I have an exam tomorrow.)
QUICK COMPARISON
**-(으)니까...** (Connects two clauses)
비가 오니까, 집에 있으세요. (It's raining, **so** please stay home.)
**-(으)니까요.** (Ends the sentence)
A: 왜 집에 있어요? (Why are you at home?)
B: 비가 오니까요. (**It's because** it's raining.)
Coming Up Next...
You've learned how to state your *reason* for doing something. Next, let's learn how to state your *purpose* or *intention*: "in order to..."