Key Expressions 1

The expression we will learn today is: “It’s because today is my birthday.”

-거든요/-이거든요

When explaining the reason for something, we use the phrase “-거든요”.

1) ‘-이거든요’

We can use nouns, adjectives, and verbs with this phrase, but when we use nouns with a final consonant, we use ‘-이거든요 (생일이거든요 = it’s because it’s my birthday)’

2) ‘-거든요’

When we use nouns without a final consonant, we use ‘-거든요 (친구거든요 = it’s because s(he) is a friend).’ And when using adjectives or verbs, use ‘-거든요’ regardless of whether they have end consonants (맛있다 = delicious, 먹다 = to eat) or not (싸다 = cheap, 공부하다 = to study).

Let’s practice while looking at another example sentence.

• 오늘 제 생일이거든요.
• 오늘 시험이 끝나거든요.