How to Say ‘Because…’ in Korean by Using 때문에?

Noun때문에 and Verb/Adjective-기 때문에 express the reason for or cause of the situation described in the second clause and correspond to ‘because’ in English. -기 때문에 is used when expressing a clear reason and is a more literary expression than -아/어서 and -(으)니까.

After nouns, 때문에 is added, and after verbs and adjectives, -기 때문에 is added to the stem.

Example:

눈 때문에 길이 미끄러워요. The road is slippery because of the snow.

외국인이기 때문에 한국말을 잘 못해요. I can’t speak Korean well because I’m a foreigner.

-기 때문에 cannot be used in imperative or propositive sentences.

날씨가 춤기 때문에 띠뜻한옷을 입으세요. (wrong)

-> 날씨가 추우니까 따뜻한 옷을 입으세요. (correct)

The weather is cold, so please wear warm clothe.

친구들이 기다리기 때문에 빨리 갑시다. (wrong)

-> 친구들이 기다리니까 빨리 갑시다. (correct)

Our friends are waiting, so let’s go quickly.

날씨가 좋기 때문에 산에갈까요? (wrong)

-> 날씨가 좋으니까 산에 갈까요? (correct)

The weather is nice, so shall we go to the mountains?

What is the difference between Noun때문에 and Noun 이기때문에:

아기 때문에 밥을 못 먹어요 I cannot eat because of (something related to) the

baby. (for example, not going to sleep)

아기이기 때문에 밥을 못 먹어요.  The baby can’t eat because he/she is (still) a baby.