How to use 은/는지라 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄴ/는지라

-(으)ㄴ/는지라 (-(eu)ㄴ, (eu)ㄴ, neun-ji-ra, neunjira)

-(으)ㄴ/는지라 is a grammar pattern used to explain reasons or situations, often introducing a following statement based on past or present context.

Explanation of Korean grammar 은는지라

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄴ/는지라(-(eu)ㄴ, (eu)ㄴ, neun-ji-ra, neunjira)

Indicates reason or situation, similar to 'because' or 'due to'

When to use

Formal explanation, Apologizing, Softly stating reasons

The nuance

Attach -(으)ㄴ지라 to past verb/adjective stems and -는지라 to present verb stems to explain reasons or situations. It is mainly used in formal or written contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 어제 비가 많이 온지라 길이 많이 막혔어요.

    eo-je bi-ga man-i on-ji-ra gil-i man-i mak-hyeoss-eo-yo., eo je bi ga man i on ji ra gil i man i mak hyeoss eo yo.

    Past verb '오다' (to come) in past form '온' plus '-지라' explains reason.

  • 바빠서 못 갔어요.

    ba-ppa-seo mos gass-eo-yo., ba ppa seo mos gass eo yo.

    '-서' is fine, but to use '-는지라' it should be '바쁜지라'.

  • 회의가 길어진지라 점심을 못 먹었어요.

    hoe-ui-ga gil-eo-jin-ji-ra jeom-sim-eul mos meok-eoss-eo-yo., hoe ui ga gil eo jin ji ra jeom sim eul mos meok eoss eo yo.

    Past verb '길어지다' in past form '길어진' plus '-지라' explains reason.

  • 지금 바쁜지라 나중에 전화할게요.

    ji-geum ba-ppeun-ji-ra na-jung-e jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo., ji geum ba ppeun ji ra na jung e jeon hwa hal ge yo.

    Present verb '바쁘다' in present form '바쁜' plus '-지라' explains reason.

  • 그 사람이 안 왔는지라 회의를 시작했어요.

    geu sa-ram-i an wass-neun-ji-ra hoe-ui-reul si-jak-haess-eo-yo., geu sa ram i an wass neun ji ra hoe ui reul si jak haess eo yo.

    Past negative verb '오다' in form '안 왔는지라' explains reason.

  • 피곤한지라 일찍 잤어요.

    pi-gon-han-ji-ra il-jjik jass-eo-yo., pi gon han ji ra il jjik jass eo yo.

    Adjective '피곤하다' in past form '피곤한' plus '-지라' explains reason.

  • 그는 학생인 지라 공부를 많이 해요.

    geu-neun hak-saeng-in ji-ra gong-bu-reul man-i hae-yo., geu neun hak saeng in ji ra gong bu reul man i hae yo.

    Spacing error: '-지라' must be attached directly to the stem.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄴ/는지라?

    다음 중 -(으)ㄴ/는지라를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung-(eu)ㄴ, daeumjung(eu)ㄴ, neun-ji-ra-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, neunjirareulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  2. Which -(으)ㄴ/는지라 form fits present situation?

    다음 중 현재 상황에 맞는 -(으)ㄴ/는지라 형태는?(da-eumjunghyeon-jaesang-hwang-emaj-neun-(eu)ㄴ, daeumjunghyeonjaesanghwangemajneun(eu)ㄴ, neun-ji-rahyeong-tae-neun?, neunjirahyeongtaeneun?)
  3. Find the error in this sentence: '그는 아파는지라 학교에 못 갔어요.'

    다음 문장에서 틀린 부분은? '그는 아파는지라 학교에 못 갔어요.'(da-eummun-jang-e-seoteul-rinbu-bun-eun?'geu-neuna-pa-neun-ji-rahak-gyo-emosgass-eo-yo.', daeummunjangeseoteulrinbubuneun?'geuneunapaneunjirahakgyoemosgasseoyo.')

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