Because of (negative): -탓에/바람에

Both patterns link a cause to a bad outcome.

The word 탓 literally means "blame" or "fault."

So 탓에 basically says "because of the fault of..."

It is like pointing a finger at the reason.

On the other hand, 바람 suggests a sudden gust.

바람에 describes an unexpected event that hit you.

It is usually something that happened suddenly or accidentally.

Both are strictly for negative or neutral-to-bad results.

If you use them for good news, people will look confused.

It is like saying "I won the lottery because of my bad luck."

It just doesn't fit the vibe, right?

Think of it like a grammar traffic light.

Red means stop and use these for bad things.

Green (good things) means you should use 덕분에 instead.

1. 1For 탓에 with Nouns:
2. 2Simply add 탓에 after any noun.
3. 3Example: 날씨 (weather) becomes 날씨 탓에 (due to the weather).
4. 4For 탓에 with Verbs/Adjectives:
5. 5Use -(ㄴ/은) 탓에 for past or state (adjectives).
6. 6Use -는 탓에 for ongoing actions or general facts.
7. 7Example: 바쁜 탓에 (because I am busy).
8. 8Example: 먹은 탓에 (because I ate).
9. 9For 바람에 with Verbs:
10. 10This only works with verbs.
11. 11Always use the form -는 바람에 regardless of tense.
12. 12The grammar itself already implies the past result.
13. 13Example: 비가 오는 바람에 (because it suddenly rained).
14. 14Example: 넘어지는 바람에 (because I tripped).

Use 탓에 when you want to assign clear blame.

It works for long-term reasons or established facts.

Example: "I failed because of my bad memory."

기억력이 나쁜 탓에 시험을 망쳤어요.

Use 바람에 for sudden, external, or accidental events.

It is perfect for those "oops" moments in life.

Example: "My phone died, so I couldn't call you."

핸드폰이 꺼지는 바람에 전화를 못 했어요.

Use these in job interviews to explain gaps professionally.

"Because the company closed suddenly, I stayed home."

회사가 문을 닫는 바람에 쉬게 되었습니다.

Use them when ordering food if there is a mistake.

"Because it was so noisy, I ordered the wrong thing."

시끄러운 탓에 주문을 잘못 했어요.

It sounds much more natural than a simple 때문에.

Never use these for positive or happy outcomes.

"I got a promotion because of my boss" (using 탓에) sounds rude.

It implies the promotion was a mistake or a problem.

For 바람에, never use adjectives like "pretty" or "tall."

You cannot say "Because I am pretty (suddenly)."

Also, 바람에 cannot be followed by commands or suggestions.

You cannot say "Because it is raining, let's go home" using 바람에.

Save those for -(으)니까 or -아/어/여서.

Think of 바람에 as a one-way street to a past result.

You are reporting what happened, not making a plan.

Mixing up 탓에 and 덕분에 is the biggest one.

덕분에 is for "thanks to" (positive things).

탓에 is for "due to" (negative things).

Don't thank someone for a car accident with 탓에!

Another mistake is using past tense before -는 바람에.

Don't say 갔는 바람에. Just say 가는 바람에.

The final verb in the sentence tells us it's the past.

Also, avoid using 바람에 for things you planned to do.

If you intentionally went to the park, don't use 바람에.

It must feel like an accident or an outside force.

• 탓에 vs. 때문에:

때문에 is neutral and can be used for anything.

탓에 is spicy and carries the weight of blame.

• 바람에 vs. 탓에:

바람에 is for sudden actions (Verb only).

탓에 is for general reasons (Noun, Verb, Adjective).

• 바람에 vs. -아/어/여서:

-아/어/여서 is a simple link of two events.

바람에 emphasizes that the first event was unexpected.

It adds a bit of "I didn't mean for this to happen" flavor.