Learn Korean: Verb + 이유

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 이유. The word 이유 means reason and we use this to make the clause the reason why. For example, we say the reason why I am learning Korean and the reason why I hate my father. The main verbs are 한국말 배우다 (to learn Korean) and 우리 아빠를 싫어하다 (to hate my father). We take the verb stem (배우/싫어하) and attach 는 이유. This process is only applicable when the verb is in present tense. It is essential that we know how to conjugate the verbs in their modifier form in different tenses and verb endings. The actual forms are 내가/제가 한국말 배우는 이유 and 내가/제가 우리 아빠를 싫어하는 이유. 내가 or 제가 is necessary to emphasize that it is I who learns and hates. This is only one part of the sentence. We can add whatever it is we wish to express or convey.

네가 밤에는 못 자는 이유

the reason why you can’t sleep at night

미국에 가고 싶은 이유

the reason why I want to go to America

우리가 헤어진 이유

the reason why we broke up