-기에
Used when the first part of the sentence is the clear cause or basis for the second part.
Summary
Equivalent
Since... / Because... (formal)
Also: -(느)ㄴ다기에
Example
Since the road was completely blocked, we took the subway.
도로가 꽉 막혔기에 우리는 지하철을 타고 갔습니다.
Grammar rules
- A highly formal substitute for '-아서/어서' or '-(으)니까'.
- It tells you the exact reason why an action happened, and is commonly found in literature, reports, and formal declarations.
- Just like '-아서/어서', commands (-(으)세요) and suggestions (-자/-(으)ㅂ시다) cannot follow it.
길이 막히기에 지하철을 타자. (Incorrect) -> 길이 막히기에 지하철을 탔다. (Correct)
- If the reason is something you heard from someone else, you must use '-(느)ㄴ다기에'.
친구가 밥을 산다기에 얼른 나갔다. (I heard my friend was buying food, so I went out quickly.)
Patterns
A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)
과거/완료 (Past/Complete) · -았기에 / 었기에
A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)
현재 (Present) · -기에
A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)
추측 (Supposition) · -겠기에
N이다 (Noun-based)
과거/완료 (Past/Complete) · 였기에 / 이었기에
N이다 (Noun-based)
현재 (Present) · (이)기에
N이다 (Noun-based)
추측 (Supposition) · (이)겠기에
Example sentences
Since the road was completely blocked, we took the subway.
도로가 꽉 막혔기에 우리는 지하철을 타고 갔습니다.
Because he has a very good personality, everyone likes him.
그는 성격이 아주 좋기에 모두가 그를 좋아해요.
Because there was too much work, I had no choice but to go to work on the weekend.
일이 너무 많기에 주말에도 출근할 수밖에 없었다.
Conversation
A: Why did you leave work early yesterday?
어제 왜 일찍 퇴근하셨어요?
B: Since I heard my child suddenly had a fever and was sick, I hurried home.
아이가 갑자기 열이 나고 아프다기에 서둘러 집에 갔습니다.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the formal causal conjunction.
비가 많이 와서 데이트를 취소했어요.
세일한다고 해서 백화점에 갔어요.