Learn Korean: Verb + 서 그런가?
Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 서 그런가(?). We use this to make assumptions as to why it is the case, why something happens, and why someone does something. The assumption can be foolish, factual or groundless. Most of the time, the question is directed to ourselves as if we are in a self-talk mode, but it is not uncommon to use this in front of another person. For example, we have a new classmate in class. He is Korean who was born in Cambodia. His tanned skin is very prominent that I wonder why his skin is darker. I asked myself Is it because it’s hot in Cambodia? (Is that the reason why?) The main verb is *to be hot. In Korean, it is 덥다. We conjugate it into its 아/어/여 form (더워) and then we attach 서 그런가(요)? The actual sentence is 캄보디아가 더워서 그런가(요)?
케이크 진짜
맛있다. 비싸서 그런가?
The cake is super tasty. Is it because it is expensive?
집착해서 그런가?
Is it because he was obsessed with her (that’s why he kidnapped her)?
길이 막혀서
그런가?
