Core Grammar Rule: -아/어서 (Reason)
In Korean, you connect two clauses with -아/어서 to show a cause-and-effect relationship, similar to "so" or "because" in English. The first clause is the reason, and the second is the result.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: This pattern indicates that the action or state in the first clause is the reason or cause for the action or state in the second clause.
When to use: Use it to explain why something happened or why you are in a certain state. It's very common in everyday conversation for giving reasons, especially for personal feelings or situations. For example, "배가 아파서 학교에 못 갔어요" (My stomach hurt, so I couldn't go to school).
Conjugation Rules
Rule: The conjugation depends on the last vowel of the verb or adjective stem.
Stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ: Add -아서. (e.g., 가다 → 가서 / 보다 → 봐서)
Stems ending in other vowels (ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, etc.): Add -어서. (e.g., 먹다 → 먹어서 / 피곤하다 → 피곤해서)
하다 verbs: Always become 해서. (e.g., 공부하다 → 공부해서)
Vowel ㅏ/ㅗ: +아서 / Other Vowels: +어서 / 하다: 해서
How to Respond to Sickness
When a friend or colleague tells you they are unwell, knowing how to respond naturally is key to showing you care. Your response can offer sympathy, advice, or encouragement.
Showing Concern
Context: The first step is to show you've heard them and are concerned. Simple questions or expressions of sympathy are best. Avoid giving unsolicited medical advice immediately.
Example: 정말요? 괜찮아요? (Really? Are you okay?) / 어떡해요. 많이 아파요? (Oh no. Does it hurt a lot?)
Suggesting Rest or Action
Context: After showing concern, it's natural to suggest a course of action, like resting or seeing a doctor. This shows you want them to get better. Tailor the politeness to your relationship.
Concern: 괜찮아요? (Are you okay?) / Advice: 푹 쉬세요. (Please rest well.)
Ending Sentences with -아/어서
In casual conversation, it's very common to end a sentence with -아/어서 when giving a reason. The resulting action is omitted because it's already understood from the context, especially when answering a 'why' question.