Let's learn how to use the -는 덕분에 / -(으)ㄴ 덕분에 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
-는 덕분에 / -(으)ㄴ 덕분에 - “Thanks to…” / “Because of (a positive reason)…”
USE:
“Thanks to…” / “Because of (a positive reason)…”
Used when something good happens because of someone or something.
Shows gratitude and a positive cause-effect.
CONJUGATION RULE
1. Action verbs (present → ongoing help)
- Verb stem + -는 덕분에
- 네가 도와주는 덕분에 → Thanks to you helping me
2. Action verbs (past → past help)
- Verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 덕분에
- 친구가 도와준 덕분에 → Thanks to my friend who helped me
3. Adjectives
- Adjective + -(으)ㄴ 덕분에
- 날씨가 좋은 덕분에 → Thanks to the good weather
4. Nouns
- Noun + 덕분에
- 너 덕분에 → Thanks to you
- 노력 덕분에 → Thanks to (my) effort
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
1. 너 덕분에 시험을 잘 봤어.
→ Thanks to you, I did well on the exam.
2. 날씨가 좋은 덕분에 여행이 더 즐거웠어요.
→ Because the weather was nice, the trip was more enjoyable.
3. 친구가 빨리 알려준 덕분에 늦지 않았어요.
→ Thanks to my friend telling me early, I wasn’t late.
4. 운동을 꾸준히 한 덕분에 건강해졌어요.
→ Thanks to working out regularly, I became healthier.
5. 이 책을 읽는 덕분에 한국어 실력이 늘고 있어요.
→ Because I’m reading this book, my Korean skills are improving.
6. 선생님 덕분에 자신감이 생겼어요.
→ Thanks to my teacher, I gained confidence.
Additional Notes
Always expresses positive results.
Opposite grammar:
❌ 때문에 → can be negative
✔ 덕분에 → ONLY positive
Very natural in thank-you messages.
