Learn Korean: Noun + 이라

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Noun + 이라. (이)라 is a contraction of (이)라서 which is attached to a noun to make reasons; that someone or something is the reason for something. The syllable (이) is unnecessary when the noun ends in a vowel. The omission of (서) is not possible with other verbs. For example, we say It’s late time so I cannot go out. The main noun is 늦은 시간 (late time). It ends in a consonant, so we attach 이라(서). 늦은 시간이라(서) means because it’s late time. The actual sentence is 늦은 시간이라(서) 못 나가.

새벽이라(서) 다 자고 있어.

Everyone is sleeping because it’s early morning here.

세일이라(서) 사람 많아.

It’s sale. That’s why there are many people.

바쁜 사람이라(서) 주말에도 없지.

He is a busy person so he is not (home) even on weekends.

장마라(서) 비가 많이 와.

It is raining a lot these because it’s rainy season.

부산 사람이라(서) 말투 좀 세.

He is from Busan. That’s why he’s got a strong accent.