🧠 Why Do Koreans Say ~거든요 So Often? Unlock the Secret to Sounding Natural
🧠 Why Do Koreans Say ~거든요 So Often?
Unlock the secret to giving soft reasons and sounding natural—ideal for travelers and intermediate learners.
Hook: Want to sound considerate yet clear in Korean? ~거든요 helps you share the “why” without pushing too hard.
Planning a trip or working with Korean colleagues? This guide shows what ~거든요 means, how to form it, when to use it, and how culture shapes its tone.
1) What does ~거든요 mean?
~거든요 adds gentle background or a reason—similar to “you see,” “because,” or “actually.” It politely answers the unspoken “why,” which keeps conversations smooth and cooperative.
2) How to form it (with patterns)
| Base | + ~거든요 | RR (romanization) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 (to go) | 가거든요 | ga-geo-deun-yo | (because) I’m going / I go |
| 예쁘다 (to be pretty) | 예쁘거든요 | ye-ppeu-geo-deun-yo | (because) it’s pretty |
| 먹었다 (ate) | 먹었거든요 | meo-geot-geo-deun-yo | (because) I ate |
| 바쁘다 (to be busy) | 바쁘거든요 | ba-ppeu-geo-deun-yo | (because) I’m busy |
| 못 가다 (can’t go) | 못 가거든요 | mot ga-geo-deun-yo | (because) I can’t go |
Politeness: Use ~거든요 in polite conversations. In very casual speech, speakers may drop 요 → ~거든.
3) When to use it (real-life cases)
- Soft refusal/excuse: 오늘은 힘들어요. 일이 많거든요. (It’s hard today—I’ve got lots of work.)
- Gentle background after a statement: 먼저 갈게요. 내일 일찍 일어나거든요.
- Answering implied “why”: 여기 자주 와요. 조용하거든요.
- Before result (explicit): 지금 회의 중이거든요, 그래서 나중에 연락드릴게요.
4) Examples (with romanization)
-
오늘 일찍 자야 해요. 내일 시험이 있거든요.
o-neul il-jjik ja-ya hae-yo. nae-il si-heom-i it-geo-deun-yo.
I need to sleep early. I have a test tomorrow, you see. -
이 식당 진짜 맛있어요. 자주 오거든요.
i sik-dang jin-jja ma-si-sseo-yo. ja-ju o-geo-deun-yo.
This restaurant is really good. I come here often, you see. -
요즘 바빠요. 프로젝트가 많거든요.
yo-jeum ba-ppa-yo. peu-ro-jek-teu-ga man-geo-deun-yo.
I’ve been busy lately. I have a lot of projects. -
안 갈 거예요. 너무 피곤하거든요.
an gal geo-ye-yo. neo-mu pi-gon-ha-geo-deun-yo.
I won’t go. I’m really tired, you see. -
그 사람 정말 친절해요. 전에 도와줬거든요.
geu sa-ram jeong-mal chin-jeol-hae-yo. jeo-ne do-wa-jwot-geo-deun-yo.
He’s really kind. He helped me before.
5) Common mistakes → quick fixes
- Ending with ~거든요 but context needs a result. → Add 그래서/그러니까 + result.
- Using it in formal writing (reports, theses). → Prefer 때문에 / -(으)므로 / -(으)기에.
- Sharp/flat tone makes it sound curt. → Keep even, friendly intonation.
- Presenting brand-new info with ~거든요 first. → Give the main point, then add background.
6) Culture: Why Koreans prefer “soft” over “strong” (EN · KR)
Big idea (EN): In community-oriented contexts, Korean speakers often present background first and invite agreement rather than push a point. This lets the listener keep “face” and choose a harmonious next step.
- Read the room (nunchi, 눈치): Adjust timing, tone, and how much you say.
- Protect face (체면): Avoid direct blame so relationships stay intact.
- Preserve bonds (정): Use gentle phrasing to maintain closeness.
Because of this, softening strategies are common: ~거든요, -는데요, -긴 한데, -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요.
핵심 요약 (KR): 한국에서는 관계와 조화가 중요해요. 그래서 말을 세게 밀기보다 이유(배경)을 먼저 말해요. 듣는 사람이 기분 상하지 않고, 스스로 동의하거나 조정할 수 있게 도와주는 방식이에요.
- 눈치: 타이밍·톤·말 길이를 상황에 맞게 조절
- 체면: 직접적인 반박/비난을 줄여 관계 지키기
- 정: 따뜻한 유대를 유지하려는 마음
그래서 ~거든요, -는데요, -긴 한데, -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 같은 완곡 표현을 자주 써요.
| Pattern | Function (EN) | Example (KR) | Natural EN |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~거든요 | Gives gentle reason/background | 오늘은 어렵겠어요. 일정이 꽉 찼거든요. | It’s hard today—you see, my schedule is full. |
| -는데요 | Soft lead-in / leaves room | 그 부분은 검토 중인데요… | We’re reviewing that part, so… |
| -긴 한데 | Concedes then qualifies | 가능하긴 한데 시간이 좀 필요해요. | It’s possible, but I’ll need some time. |
| -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 | Hedges with likelihood | 오늘은 어려울 것 같아요. | I think today might be difficult. |
Direct → Soft (quick rewrites)
- Direct: 오늘 못 가요. → Soft: 오늘은 어렵겠어요. 일정이 있거든요.
- Direct: 그건 틀렸어요. → Soft: 그 부분은 조금 다른 것 같아요.
- Direct: 지금 바로 해 주세요. → Soft: 가능하시면 지금 부탁드리고 싶어요.
7) FAQ — Understand ~거든요 Precisely
Q1. What is the core meaning of ~거든요?
A (EN): It gently provides background or a reason so the listener understands without feeling pressured.
A (KR): 듣는 사람이 부담 없이 이해하도록 배경·이유를 부드럽게 덧붙이는 표현입니다.
Q2. Can I end a sentence with ~거든요?
A (EN): Yes. It often implies an unstated result (“…so”). For clarity, add 그래서/그러니까 + result in work/requests.
A (KR): 가능합니다. 보통 결과가 암시되므로, 업무·요청 상황에서는 그래서/그러니까로 결과를 밝혀 주세요.
Q3. How is ~거든요 different from -는데요?
A (EN): ~거든요 emphasizes reason/background; -는데요 softens a statement and leaves room to respond.
A (KR): ~거든요는 이유/배경 강조, -는데요는 부드럽게 말문을 트고 상대의 반응 여지를 둡니다.
Q4. Is ~거든요 okay in formal writing?
A (EN): In reports/theses, prefer formal connectors like 때문에, -(으)므로, -(으)기에.
A (KR): 보고서·논문 등에서는 때문에, -(으)므로, -(으)기에 같은 서면형 연결어를 권장합니다.
Q5. Is it just “because”?
A (EN): Sometimes, but the key is tone: a polite, harmony-oriented way to add reasons in conversation.
A (KR): 경우에 따라 “because”와 유사하지만, 핵심은 공손하고 조화 지향적인 대화 톤입니다.
Q6. Is it only for refusals or excuses?
A (EN): No. Use it for praise, recommendations, or explanations—whenever you add background.
A (KR): 아니요. 칭찬·추천·설명 등 배경을 보탤 때 널리 씁니다.
Q7. How about very casual speech?
A (EN): Speakers may drop 요 → ~거든. Gauge relationship and setting.
A (KR): 매우 캐주얼하면 요를 빼고 ~거든이라고도 합니다. 관계·상황을 살펴 쓰세요.
Q8. When should I avoid softening and be direct?
A (EN): For safety/urgent instructions or unambiguous decisions—be direct instead of using soft endings.
A (KR): 안전·긴급 지시나 명확한 결정을 요구할 때는 완곡형보다 직접형을 우선하세요.
8) Learn with me
Get personalized scripts using ~거든요, live tone coaching, and reusable flashcards.
