느라고 (because of doing - excuse)

This pattern shows a cause-and-effect relationship. The first part of the sentence is the action you were busy with. The second part is the result, which is usually something negative, tiring, or a missed opportunity. It’s like a grammar traffic light. The action is the green light you were following, but it caused a red light for something else in your life.

1. 1Setting this up is actually quite simple. You don't need to worry about complex conjugations here. Follow these steps:
2. 2Take any action verb in its base form (the 다 form).
3. 3Drop the 다.
4. 4Add 느라고 to the verb stem.
5. 5하다 (to do) becomes 하느라고.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹느라고.
7. 7보다 (to see/watch) becomes 보느라고.
8. 8Crucial rule: Never add past tense markers like 았/었 to the first verb. Even if the whole thing happened yesterday, the 느라고 part stays in the present stem. The final verb at the end of the sentence carries the tense for you.

You use this when you want to explain why something didn't happen or why you're exhausted.

• Making Excuses: "I was working late, so I couldn't go to the party."
• Explaining Effort: "I spent all night preparing the presentation, so I'm a zombie today."
• Identifying Distractions: "I was playing games and didn't hear the doorbell."

It implies that the first action took time and energy. It's not for quick, one-second actions. You have to be "in the middle" of doing it.

This is where many people trip up. Don't use 느라고 in these scenarios:

• Positive Results: You can't say "I studied hard 느라고 I got an A." Use 아/어서 or 기 때문에 for happy endings.
• Adjectives: You can't use it with words like 예쁘다 (pretty) or 춥다 (cold). It only works with actions you choose to do.
• Involuntary Actions: Things like sneezing or falling aren't usually used here. It should be a voluntary activity.
• Different Subjects: You must be the one doing the action AND the one facing the result. You can't say "My brother studied 느라고 I am tired." That makes no sense, right?

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but usually, it's learners who fall into these traps.

• The Past Tense Trap: Writing 공부했느라고 is a big no-no. Keep it 공부하느라고.
• The Weather Blunder: Don't use it for rain or snow. 비가 오느라고 sounds like the rain is making an excuse for its busy schedule.
• The Adjective Slip: Using it with 바쁘다 (to be busy). You don't say 바쁘느라고. You are busy *because* of an action. Say 일하느라고 바빠요.

You might know 아/어서. That’s the general "because." It’s neutral. 느라고 is much more specific. It screams "I was preoccupied!"

• 아/어서: General reason. Can have positive or negative results.
• 느라고: Specific excuse. Almost always negative or neutral-tiring results. Same subject required.
• 기 때문에: Stronger, more logical reason. Can be used with different subjects and adjectives.