Let's learn how to use the V/A + 아/어서 그런지 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
V/A + 아/어서 그런지 “maybe because…”, “it seems that because…”, or “I think it’s because…”
USE:
The expression -아/어서 그런지 is used when you guess or assume the reason for a situation.
It’s similar to saying “maybe because…”, “it seems that because…”, or “I think it’s because…” in English.
You’re not 100% sure, but you’re making a logical guess about why something happened or why someone feels a certain way.
CONJUGATION RULE
Attach -아/어서 그런지 to the verb or adjective stem that expresses the reason.
The choice between -아 or -어 depends on vowel harmony (just like in other Korean grammar rules).
How to form it:
Take the verb/adjective stem.
Add -아서 그런지 or -어서 그런지 depending on the vowel.
Complete the sentence with the result or assumption.
Examples:
춥다 → 추워서 그런지 (Maybe because it’s cold)
피곤하다 → 피곤해서 그런지 (Maybe because I’m tired)
기분이 좋다 → 기분이 좋아서 그런지 (Maybe because I feel good)
배고프다 → 배고파서 그런지 (Maybe because I’m hungry)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
1. 요즘 피곤해서 그런지 자꾸 졸려요.
→ Maybe because I’m tired these days, I keep feeling sleepy.2. 비가 와서 그런지 기분이 좀 우울해요.
→ Maybe because it’s raining, I feel a little down.
3. 날씨가 추워서 그런지 사람들이 밖에 없어요.
→ Maybe because it’s cold, there aren’t many people outside.
4. 오늘 기분이 좋아서 그런지 모든 게 잘 되는 것 같아요.
→ Maybe because I’m in a good mood today, everything seems to go well.
5. 어제 늦게 자서 그런지 머리가 아파요.
→ Maybe because I slept late yesterday, my head hurts.
Additional Notes
-아/어서 → certain cause: “비가 와서 못 갔어요.” (I couldn’t go because it rained.)
-아/어서 그런지 → assumed cause: “비가 와서 그런지 기분이 안 좋아요.” (Maybe because it rained, I feel bad.)
You can use it in both spoken and written Korean, especially when guessing reasons politely.
The sentence after -아/어서 그런지 usually describes a result, feeling, or situation that you’re observing.
