-(으)므로
-(으)므로: Therefore — Formal Written Reason
Because / therefore — connective for reason or grounds, especially in formal writing.
How to form it
| When | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stem with batchim (not ㄹ) | -으므로 | 없으므로 / 좋으므로 / 먹었으므로 |
| Open stem / ㄹ-drop environments | -므로 | 가므로 / 오므로 / 이므로 |
-(으)므로 is the formal / written reason connective: because / therefore on the page.
Gloss: therefore — the reason of reports and formal writing. 우리말샘 -으므로 「001」: marks cause or grounds. Listed after stems with batchim (except ㄹ) and after -었-, -겠-. Open stems take the classroom allomorph -므로 (가므로, 이므로) — same 으-drop pattern learners already know from -으면/-면.
Written grounds
시간이 없으므로 내일 다시 오겠습니다.
무게가 초과하였으므로 추가 요금이 있습니다.
예약이 없으므로 입장이 어렵습니다.
날씨가 맑으므로 행사를 진행합니다.
학생이므로 할인이 됩니다.Notices, reports, and stiff service copy prefer this voice over café -으니까.
Forms
| Stem | Shape |
|---|---|
| Batchim (not ㄹ) | -으므로 |
| Open / 이다 | -므로 / 이므로 |
| Past | -았/었으므로 |
먹으므로 batchim path
가므로 open path
바빴으므로 past groundsRegister neighbours
| Form | Lean |
|---|---|
| -(으)므로 | written / formal grounds |
| -(으)니까 | everyday spoken reason (commands OK) |
| -아서/어서 | plain cause; apologies & thanks |
비가 와서 취소했어요. spoken
비가 오므로 행사를 취소합니다. notice
위험하니까 조심하세요. spoken + commandDo not park apologies here
늦으므로 죄송합니다 fights the site rule and sounds stiff-defensive. Apologies and thanks stay on -아서/어서.
Practice: if the line belongs on a printed notice, try -(으)므로; if it belongs in a friend’s mouth before a suggestion, prefer -으니까.
Do not confuse it with
Taught alongside this
On the jabi learning path, this appears in 고향에 있는 친구에게 소포를 보냈어요 (I sent a package to my friend back home.) — Intermediate Korean 2, Unit 12, on the theme of Postal and Delivery. These come with it:
Words used above
Quick check
No sign-up, no score saved — just see if it stuck.
1. 시간이 없으므로 연기하겠습니다 is…
2. vs -으니까?
3. Apology with -므로?
Common questions
Dictionary?
우리말샘 -으므로 「001」: connective for reason or grounds after batchim stems (and after -었-, -겠-). Open-stem -므로 is the matching classroom allomorph.
Before commands?
Spoken commands usually want -으니까. Do not assume -므로 inherits every -니까 privilege — follow formal notice style instead.
이다?
이므로 is the regular open form after 이다.
Post/notice tip?
무게가 초과하였으므로 추가 요금이 있습니다 — notice voice.
Seen in the wild
Lessons where this pattern showed up in real Korean — news, slang, drama lines.
