Learn Korean: WH + 때문에

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern WH + 때문에. We use this to ask someone the reason for doing something. The WH word is either 뭐 or 누구. We use 뭐 to ask what the reason is and 누구 to ask who the reason is. For example, if I see a kid crying at a distance, I would approach him and ask Why are you crying? The main verb is 울다 (to cry). 뭐 때문에 or 누구 때문에 comes before it. If the assumed cause of his crying is a person, use 누구 때문에. Maybe somebody mugged him or something. If the assumed cause is a not a person, 뭐 때문에 is another option. Maybe, he failed an exam or something. The actual sentence is 누구 때문에 울어(요)? or 뭐 때문에 울어(요)?

누구 때문에 화난 거야?

Who made you mad?

뭐 때문에 이렇게 행복한 거야?

Why are you so happy?

 

뭐 때문에 그만뒀어?

Why did you quit your job? What’s the reason why you quit your job?