-(으)니까 (Discovery/Realization)
Used to express the discovery of a fact or realization of a situation after performing the action in the first clause. It translates roughly to 'When I (did)... I found that...'.
Summary
Equivalent
When I did... I realized that...
Also: -(으)니 (When/Since - slightly more formal/written)
Example
When I opened the window, I realized it was very cold.
창문을 여니까 많이 춥네요.
Grammar rules
- The first clause MUST be an action verb.
- Even if the action happened in the past, the first clause is always written in the present tense form + '-(으)니까'.
- The second clause often uses the past tense to describe the discovery.
- Do not conjugate the first clause into the past tense when using this meaning. The action leading to the discovery must be presented in the base form.
집에 갔으니까 없었어요 (X - grammatical error in this context) -> 집에 가니까 아무도 없었어요 (O - When I went home, nobody was there).
Patterns
Verbs (Consonant)
Present (First Clause) · Verb Stem + 으니까
Verbs (Vowel/ㄹ)
Present (First Clause) · Verb Stem (drop ㄹ) + 니까
Example sentences
When I opened the window, I realized it was very cold.
창문을 여니까 많이 춥네요.
When I tried calling, I realized they weren't answering.
전화를 걸어 보니까 안 받아요.
When I woke up in the morning, I saw that it was snowing.
아침에 일어나니까 눈이 오고 있었어요.
Conversation
A: Did you go to the newly opened restaurant yesterday?
어제 새로 생긴 식당에 갔어요?
B: Yes, when I went there, I found that there were really a lot of people.
네, 가 보니까 사람들이 정말 많았어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct form to express realization after an action.
Looking outside.
Eating.