EPS-TOPIK Chapter 12-2 Grammar : Giving a Reason

Chapter 12-2

Verb/Adj. Stem + -아서/어서 (Reason)

Because… (Kaya)

🛑 WAIT! Grammar is way easier once you know the words — if you haven’t studied Chapter 12-2 Vocabulary (Getting Around) yet, go memorize them first! Today we’ll learn -아서/어서, how to give a reason for something.

🇵🇭 Teka muna! Mas madali ang grammar kapag alam mo na ang mga salita — kung hindi mo pa naaral ang Chapter 12-2 Vocabulary (Getting Around), i-memorize muna ito! Ngayon, aralin natin ang -아서/어서, kung paano magbigay ng dahilan para sa isang bagay.

👉 Go to Vocabulary Ch 12-2 First

📌 1. What is -아서/어서 (Reason)?

-아서/어서 is attached to verbs and adjectives to show that the first part of the sentence is the REASON for the second part.
🇵🇭 Idinidikit ang -아서/어서 sa mga pandiwa at pang-uri upang ipakita na ang unang bahagi ng pangungusap ang DAHILAN ng pangalawang bahagi.

[Basic pattern] — Same vowel check as -아요/어요!
✅ Last vowel ㅏ or ㅗ 👉 + -아서 (e.g., 싸다 → 싸서)
✅ Last vowel ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, etc. 👉 + -어서 (e.g., 읽다 → 읽어서)
✅ Verbs ending in -하다 👉 + -해서 (e.g., 청소하다 → 청소해서)

💡 TIP: Same spelling, different job — coming later!
Heads up: you’ll see “-아서/어서” again in Chapter 19-2 — but that one means “and then” (sequence), NOT “because” (reason)! Same spelling, two completely different jobs. Context will always tell you which one is meant.
🇵🇭 Paalala: makikita mo ulit ang “-아서/어서” sa Chapter 19-2 — pero ang kahulugan doon ay “at pagkatapos” (sunod-sunod), HINDI “dahil” (rason)! Parehong baybay, dalawang ganap na magkaibang gamit. Ang konteksto ang palaging magsasabi kung alin ang ibig sabihin.

💡 Remember: “Stem” means removing -다 first! Full explanation in Chapter 4-1.
🇵🇭 Tandaan: tinatanggal muna ang -다 para makuha ang “stem”! Buong paliwanag sa Chapter 4-1.

📖 2. Example Sentences

Korean	Meaning (English / Tagalog)
비가 와서 우산을 샀어요.	🇺🇸 It rained, so I bought an umbrella. 🇵🇭 Umulan, kaya bumili ako ng payong.
과일이 싱싱해서 몇 개 샀어요.	🇺🇸 The fruit was fresh, so I bought a few. 🇵🇭 Sariwa ang prutas, kaya bumili ako ng ilan.
가: 왜 지하철을 타고 왔어요? 나: 차가 막혀서 지하철을 탔어요.	🇺🇸 A: Why did you take the subway? B: Traffic was bad, so I took the subway. 🇵🇭 Bakit ka sumakay ng subway? / Trapik, kaya sumakay ako ng subway.
회사가 멀어서 차를 타고 가야 합니다.	🇺🇸 The office is far, so I have to drive. 🇵🇭 Malayo ang opisina, kaya kailangan kong magmaneho.

💡 Quick tip: One rule to remember — you CANNOT use -아서/어서 before a command or suggestion (like -(으)세요 or -(으)ㄹ까요?). For that, you’ll need -(으)니까, coming up in Chapter 22-1!

🎧 Final Step: Practice the Real Sound with Nova Player!

Learn with your ears, NOT your eyes! Listen and repeat again and again until it feels natural to you! 👇

👉 [VOCA] Ch 12-2
👉 [GRAMMAR] Ch 13-1
👉 [CONVERSATION] Ch 12-2

Source: HRD Korea Standard Textbook for EPS-TOPIK, rearranged by Teacher Nova for easier learning.
Pinagmulan: HRD Korea Standard Textbook para sa EPS-TOPIK, inayos ni Teacher Nova para sa mas madaling pag-aaral.