Let's learn how to use Korean grammar "V + 는 바람에" with conjugation rules and some simple real-life examples.
V + 는 바람에 (“as a result of / due to…”)
USE:
V + 는 바람에 used to express that something unexpected happened as a result of an uncontrollable or unfortunate cause.
It’s similar to saying “because / due to / as a result of”, but with a negative or unintended outcome.
Usually translated as:
“because of / as a result of / due to (something that happened suddenly or unexpectedly)”
CONJUGATION RULE:
-는 바람에 grammar is used with verbs. The first step of ‘V + 는 바람에' conjugation is to remove ‘다’ from the basic form of the verb, then you add -는 바람에 to the verb stem.
늦다 → 늦는 바람에
오다 →오는 바람에
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
- 비가 오는 바람에 소풍을 못 갔어요.
→ We couldn’t go on the picnic because it rained. - 친구가 갑자기 오는 바람에 준비를 못 했어요.
→ Because my friend came suddenly, I couldn’t prepare. - 교통사고가 나는 바람에 회의에 늦었어요.
→ I was late for the meeting because there was a traffic accident. - 컴퓨터가 고장 나는 바람에 숙제를 못 했어요.
→ I couldn’t do my homework because my computer broke down.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Only verbs can come before –는 바람에.
The second clause (the result) is usually negative or unfortunate.
You cannot use it for something intentional or positive like:
❌ 친구가 도와주는 바람에 일을 빨리 끝냈어요.
✅ 친구가 도와줘서 일을 빨리 끝냈어요.
