Saying "because" and "so" in Korean: part 3, the difference between 아서/어서 and -(으)니까

Once you've got your head round the fact that you say everything backwards, you won't be surprised to hear that there's another ending which also means "because" or "so" in English: -(으)니까(-eu)ni-kka. This follows these rules, but basically if there's a consonant (받침bad-chim / a written final consonant) at the end you write -으니까-eu-ni-kka and if there isn't you add -니까-ni-kka.

-(으)니까(-eu)ni-kka goes in exactly the same place as -아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo and also the order is backwards in exactly the same way. But the meaning is very different and this difference does not exist in English.

The difference

This is long, but bear with me, and I hope it helps you understand.

I was waiting for someone in the freezing cold, and I thought to myself, "how do I know when they've arrived?". The bus stop was further up the road from me, so I knew if a bus went by it could mean my friend had arrived. But I didn't know which bus and what time exactly. So when two buses went by, I thought to myself "My friend has arrived because at least two buses have gone by (she must have been on one). But she didn't arrive on either one! So the two buses actually did not mean she had arrived, they only made me think she had arrived. She could be on any bus!

And then I realised: in Korean we would say 버스 두대 지나 갔으니까 친구 왔어요beo-seu du de ji-na gass-eu-ni-kka chin-gu wass-eo-yo / because two buses went past my friend has arrived because how the hell can two buses directly mean that someone has arrived! only one bus can mean that! (unless you can travel on two buses at once)

-아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo is used for things which are caused directly. It rains so you get wet, you're slow because you're fat etc. etc. -(으)니까(-eu)ni-kka is used when you think things are caused, or do things because of something. The two buses going by made me think my friend had arrived. It didn't cause her to arrive, because she wasn't on them.

This is a bit difficult to get your head around, but have a look at these sentences in English and think about it. Does the situation make you do something (-(으)니까(-eu)ni-kka), or does the situation cause something to happen(-아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo):

• Because It's raining, I brought my umbrella-(으)니까 because rain doesnt cause you to majically have an umrbella!
• I ate a lot because I was hungry-아서/어서 because hunger causes you to eat, there is a direct relationship
• He drove badly because he was really drunk-아서/어서 because drinking does make you drive badly - they are directly related
• The lady drove carefully because it was snowing-(으)니까 because snow doesn't automatically make everyone a good driver. but if you're talking about someone who IS a good driver, then you can use -아서/어서
• It's dangerous because there's lots of snow--아서/어서 because snow DOES make driving dangerous
• She's beautiful because she has big eyesBOTH!!!! hahaha

I included the last one to show that both are possible in some cases. If her big eyes are the cause of her beauty, then we use -아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo but if her big eyes make you think she's beautiful (but she isn't according to everyone) then we can use -(으)니까(-eu)ni-kka.

As with anything complicated like this, to learn the difference and use these things properly, it just takes time. I've been speaking Korean for a year now, and it only hit me now, exactly what the difference was. What you have to do is constantly practise and think about what you're saying and doing.

If you're still confused, read on, you can get in touch and I will give more details, examples and explanations

Saying "because" and "so" in Korean: part 2, -어서/아서

The second difficulty is the fact that there is no direct translation of "because" or "so", instead you have to add a verb ending! Craziness! (but actually you could argue that the word ending is a word in itself, so it's not that crazy).

"to rain" in Korean is 비 오다bi o-da / literally: rain comes. To make it mean "because it is raining" we need to drop the -다-da and add -아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo:

• 비 오다bi o-da / literally: rain comes->비 와서bi wa-seo / literally: because rain is coming

Be Careful! When you use -아서/어서-a-seo/eo-seo you have to change the verb a bit. Follow this link for the rule. Though actually it's just the -아요/어요-a-yo/-eo-yo ending with out the -요/요-yo.

So now you have 비 와서bi wa-seo / literally: because rain is coming you can complete the sentence by adding "I got wet" 젖었어요jeo-jeoss-eo-yo / I got wet.
after changing the sentence order, changing a verb, and adding and ending you finally have a basic sentence!

• 비 와서bi wa-seo / literally: because rain is coming 젖었어요jeo-jeoss-eo-yo / I got wet

Now practise completing these simple sentences, to help you get used to saying things backwards in Korean. To make it extra fun think of three different endings for them!:

• 뚱뚱해서ddung-ddung-hae-seo / because he's fat...
• 아침 못 먹어서a-chim mot mo-geo-seo / because she didn't eat breakfast...
• 친구 만나서Chin-gu man-na-seo / because he met his friend...
• 김치 싫어해서kim-chi si-reo-hae-seo / because she hates kimchi...
• 자동차 없어서ja-dong-cha eops-eo-seo / because he doesn't have a car...

Just like if you want to brush your teeth with your left hand, even though you understand the principle, and know it has the same effect/result on your teeth, you're just no good at it without practice. So you need to practise!!!! Start with very simple and logical sentences with simple vocabulary you already know and just practise saying them in Korean. Writing simple sentences like this is not nearly as helpful as saying them aloud.

Saying "because" and "so" in Korean: part 1, sentence order

Giving reasons / saying because and so in Korean is difficult for native speakers of English and other European languages for three reasons. The first one is that Korean people say things backwards!!!
When we give a reason for something in English, we start with the effect and then the cause

• I got wetWhat happened? (effect) becuase it's rainingWhy?(effect)

But in Korean, it's always the other way round

• Because it's rainingWhy?(cause), I got wetwhat happened?(effect)

When you want to express any reason, causes, effects in Korean, you essentially have to turn everything upside down, and think backwards. Because your brain is so used to thinking one way, you have train it to think the other. Just try brushing your teeth with your left hand to see what I mean.

In order to practise, and I know it's weird, just say English sentences like one above with Korean sentence order. For example don't say "he's slow because he's fat" say "Becuase he's fat, he's slow". How do you change this one? "He's Korean because he has a Korean passport". Try doing this with as many things as you can think of.

Things are going to get a lot more complicated, so once you've got your head round how to say things backwards in English, continue on to the next bit Saying "because" or "so" with "-서/해서"

Bring and Take - 가지고 오다/가다

In Korean there is no one word for "bring" or "take". This actually means Korean people find this difficult in English and non-Koreans also find it a little confusing in Korean. In Korea a combination of 가다/오다ga-da/o-da (go/come) with 가지다ga-ji-da (have, possess, own) is used. No points for guessing which combination means "bring" or "take"!

• 책(을) 집에 가지고 갔어요check-(eul) jip-e ga-ji-go gass-eo-yo / I took the book home (this means the speaker is NOT at home)
• 책(을) 집에 가지고 왔어요check-(eul) jip-e ga-ji-go wass-eo-yo / I brought the book home (this means the speaker IS at home)

In both examples 가지다ga-ji-da drops the -다-da and attaches -고-go. -고-go really means "and" so the ultra-literal meaning of this phrase, rather than being bring or take, is I possessed the book and came/went.

In English we can say "I brought the book home" when we are not at home, but because Korean contains the words come and go we have to be precise. If we are in the same place we brought the thing, it's got to be 가지고 오다ga-ji-go o-da and if we are not in the same place we have to use 가지고 가다ga-ji-go o-da.

• (here you are NOT in the library)책(을) 도서관에 가지고 갔어요check-(eul) do-seo-gwan-e ga-ji-go gass-eo-yo / I took the book to the library
• (here you are IN the library)책(을) 도서관에 가지고 왔어요check-(eul) do-seo-gwan-e ga-ji-go wass-eo-yo / I brought the book library

Why is Korean architecture so unappealing?

From the outside they are angular, grey cubes, filled with oversized, opaque windows. Inside, glossy and unnatural wood panelling gives no remote hint of imitation. Plastic flooring proudly heats the cold. But Concrete walls radiate it, and the heat in the summer. Metal-framed windows shut out the winter, shut out the seasons. Modern Korean buildings are ugly and badly designed.

There are practical reasons for this. These buildings are cheap and easy to construct. Rapidly increasing urbanisation has meant people need somewhere to live fast. The booming economy means their inhabitants don’t need to worry about the air-conditioning and heating bills. But this doesn’t explain why modern Korean buildings are so ugly.

Korea’s Confucianist principles play a significant role. They dictate austerity and practicality, so there is no historically based tradition of building anything attractive.
Korean temples are bland compared to their counterparts in other parts of Asia. The royal palaces in Seoul are large and sprawling but show little aesthetic flare.

Korea’s neighbours, or perhaps Korea’s relationship with its neighbours, have also influenced Korean architecture, albeit indirectly. Koreans are very keen to distinguish themselves from the Chinese and Japanese. When rebuilding after the war, Korean architects outrightly rejected their architectural styles.

This also means that they must disregard their own traditions. China’s significant cultural influence means that old-fashioned Korean buildings have a very Chinese appearance, and apart from being impractical in the modern world, their appearance is inappropriate.

But Korean architects cannot look to the West for inspiration either. Japanese colonial architecture copied Western and European buildings of the time down to the finest detail. For a Korean, a quaint 19th century train station is a brutal symbol of tyranny and oppression.

Without any historical aesthetic tradition to draw from, and a total rejection of all other architectural styles, it is no surprise that Korean buildings are so unappealing.
Growing wealth coupled with unequal supply and demand, Korean architecture has become a horrid mishmash of any and every tradition. It combines a total rejection of the past with a steadfast continuation of Korea’s long standing principles and ancient beliefs.

Modern Korean cities are blocky grids, practical yet characterless. But don’t be deceived. Behind the endless coffee shop chains, past all the white and grey cars, inside the dull buildings the Korean spirit still dwells, stronger and more powerful than ever.

Guide to studying Korean in Korea

Courses
Part time courses are great for the basics like saying hello and asking how much. It's also important that you do your homework for them, because you don't get that much class time. But they will only take you so far.

Full time courses are intended to get you to a high level of proficiency in regards to academic work like writing and doing presentations in a university environment. Often they are based around the TOPIK test. These courses are much more intensive and will teach a lot of vocabulary and grammar as well as conversational basics.
You can get a 6month or year student visa very easily for the full time courses

Costs
Full time course costs vary depending on where you apply. The most expensive I found was Yonsei University (in Seoul) which was W 1,600,000 for 10 weeks. The cheapest(obviously not in Seoul) I found was 1,000,000 for 10 weeks.

Part time course costs depend on how many hours a day, and how many days a week. But expect a minimum of 100 000 a month.

Rent really varies, but I would say it can costs upwards of 200,000 a month for a crappy studio apartment in a cheap city, to probably a minimum of 350 000 a month in Seoul. Remember there's also a deposit, normally minimum of 1,000,000. And bills are negligible (max. 50,000 a month)

Korean life (for full time students)
Living In Korea as a foreigner is very easy, and Koreans are very welcoming. The university I attended provided excellent customer service and care, so if it's your first time in Korea, don't worry. The university should help you find accommodation and even organise travel arrangements.
Korea is a modern, first world country with all the luxuries and of home, like phones, fast food, clubs etc. It also has a fantasitc train and bus system which is affordable and efficient, putting the rest of the developed world to shame.

Part time work as an English teacher, is easy to find and you can actually earn a higher hourly rate than full time! At the moment the law says a student can work legally 20 hours a week. You will need all the necessary paperwork (criminal check, degree certificate) to work legally, just take them to the immigration centre and start working immediately

In terms of homework expect a lot. And I recommend you do it too. Learn vocabulary every day, and factor this as an extra hour after class.

Which university?
I attended an awful university and really wasted my time and money for the better part of a year. I would recommend doing 6 months and then seeing how much you're learning. By that stage, provided you're a motivated student, you can just learn Korean outside class!

To Seoul or not to Seoul?
If you want to live in a more globalised, modern, happening city with a lot of things going on all the time, then you should study in Seoul.
If you want a more "authentic" Korean experience and don't want to meet so many foreigners and perhaps don't mind a quieter old fashioned way of life, then I don't recommend Seoul.
I didn't live in Seoul and loved it, but some people really didn't and I can see why.

After your studies: working In Korea
To put it simply, if you're a foreigner there are three kinds of jobs available to you in Korea: English teacher, US soldier, South East Asian factory worker. Outside Seoul there are no other job opportunities. In Seoul there are a tiny amount, but they are extremely hard to find. You probably don't believe me, but after a year you'll see what I mean. Oh sorry I forgot, you could be a russian prostitute

Kyemyung University review: The course and Bad points

The course: Teaching methodology

To sum up the course at Keimyung University in one word is simple. Terrible. Before I joined the course I did not expect anything except the traditional teaching methods of Korea, and to this extent, my expectations were met. The teacher explains everything (grammar, vocabulary etc.) until they think the students understand, and then the students write and repeat example sentences. This is the standard from level 1-6.
Despite this, the promotional materials promise “speaking, writing, listening and reading”, in reality the lessons are structured as follows: 80% listening to the teacher “explain” things, 10% reading, 5% writing, 4% actual listening, and 1% speaking. This makes the classes incredibly boring, as 80% of the time is spent sitting in silence “listening” to the teacher.

The course: The materials

The terrible course and teaching is partly due to the awful Keimyung published and produced textbooks. Up to level 4 they use the same format of: no. 1 a dialogue, no. 2 grammar and vocabulary, no. 3. writing example sentences, no. 4 listening, no. 5 reading. And repeat for chapter 2. And chapter 3 and chapter xxx, and level 1 and level 2 and level xxx. That translates as the same thing every day for 40 weeks! I got to level 5 and we started using a new textbook, published by a Seoul university. But my hopes were soon dashed when it was obvious the teachers had no idea how to use it. They successfully managed to do the impossible and made the class even more boring than before!

The course: Teachers

In fact what I found the most surprising was the sheer unprofessionalism and incompetence of the teachers themselves.
The teachers see the (adult) students as little children, and treat them as such. We are discouraged from mentioning or discussing, politics, current events, history, literature. Even colloquialisms are out of the question.
This is only the top of the iceberg though. From the first day of class the older teachers pick which students to talk to and like, and which students to ignore and hate, carrying on like this until the end of the 10 weeks.
The younger teachers are generally friendly but completely incompetent: I saw a teacher actually wandering around the class doodling on a piece of paper, pretending to listen and take notes! Other teachers spend ages rustling through pieces of paper, or standing in silence for 5 minutes, pretending to think before abruptly ending the class when the clock hits the right time.

The course: Results

The abysmal materials and teaching methods are not just my opinion. Absence and lateness are common among students, 10 minute break time becomes half an hour. Many students fail the in-house tests and have to repeat a level. But worst of all students on the scholarship program who have to get a level 3 score on the national TOPIK Korean test, fail in high numbers. In 2011, after 1 year of Korean study, 1 out of 4 scholarship students passed. This year there are 60 new scholarship students. If the trend continues that means 45 of them will fail this year!