Pattern: -(으)니까요
-(으)니까요 (-(eu)ni-kka-yo, (eu)nikkayo)
-(으)니까요 emphasizes reasons, often used when answering questions or doubts.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Sentence ending that emphasizes a reason or explanation
When to use
explaining reasons, answering questions, emphasizing reasons
The nuance
Attach -(으)니까요 to verb or adjective stems to emphasize reasons. Use '-으니까요' if the stem ends with a consonant, '-니까요' if it ends with a vowel. It usually appears at sentence end as an answer or explanation to a question.
왜 늦었어요? 길이 막혔으니까요.
wae neuj-eoss-eo-yo? gil-i mak-hyeoss-eu-ni-kka-yo., wae neuj eoss eo yo? gil i mak hyeoss eu ni kka yo.
-(으)니까요 is correctly used to clearly explain a reason.
배고파요? 밥을 안 먹었으니까요.
bae-go-pa-yo? bap-eul an meok-eoss-eu-ni-kka-yo., bae go pa yo? bap eul an meok eoss eu ni kka yo.
Used naturally as a reason in response to a question.
왜 안 왔어요? 바빠서니까요.
wae an wass-eo-yo? ba-ppa-seo-ni-kka-yo., wae an wass eo yo? ba ppa seo ni kka yo.
'바빠서니까요' is awkward; '-서' is redundant before '-니까요'.
오늘 날씨가 좋아서 밖에 나갔으니까요.
o-neul nal-ssi-ga joh-a-seo bakk-e na-gass-eu-ni-kka-yo., o neul nal ssi ga joh a seo bakk e na gass eu ni kka yo.
-(으)니까요 must be at sentence end as an explanation, but this lacks a clear answer context.
왜 그렇게 말했어요? 기분이 나빴으니까요.
wae geu-reoh-ge mal-haess-eo-yo? gi-bun-i na-ppass-eu-ni-kka-yo., wae geu reoh ge mal haess eo yo? gi bun i na ppass eu ni kka yo.
Appropriate as a reason explaining a question.
일찍 자니까요, 그래서 피곤하지 않아요.
il-jjik ja-ni-kka-yo, geu-rae-seo pi-gon-ha-ji an-a-yo., il jjik ja ni kka yo, geu rae seo pi gon ha ji an a yo.
-(으)니까요 must be sentence-final; using it mid-sentence is unnatural.
Choose the correct answer to 'Why were you late?'.
Which is the natural answer meaning 'Because I didn't eat' to 'Are you hungry?'
Pick the correct reason answer meaning 'Because I was busy'
