This expression is used when the speaker states in the preceding clause the reason, cause, or basis for an action taken in the following clause.

The cause or basis for the action taken in the following clause originates from someone else or some other external situation and has no relation to the speaker's will or intention.

Details

1. The form -(느)ㄴ다길래 is used when the speaker is indicating that it was something that he or she heard from someone else that was the cause or reason for the action stated in the following clause.

같은 반 친구가 한국어 공부가 어렵다길래 요즘 도와주고 있어요.

주말에 친구가 우리 집에 놀러 온다길래 음식을 만들려고 장을 좀 봤어요.

2. When this expression is used in declarative sentences, the subjects of the preceding and following clauses cannot be the same. It sounds the most natural when the subject of the following clause is the speaker (i.e., in the first person), while the subject of the preceding clause is usually in the second or third person.

아이가 준비물을 놓고 갔길래 (내가) 학교에 갖다 주고 왔어요.

남편이 계속 자고 있길래 (내가) 깨웠어요.

However, when the reason for the action taken by the speaker in the following clause is unexpected or unintended, then the first person can be used In the preceding clause.

(내가) 현금이 없길래 은행에 가서 돈을 좀 찾아왔어요.

(나는) 유럽 여행을 하다가 우연히 한국 사람을 만났길래 값이 싸고 안전한 숙소가 어디인지 물어봤다.

3. When used in declarative sentences, only verbs can be used in the following clause.

그 가게에서 파는 액세서리가 특이하길래 사람이 많아요. ✕

However, in the case of interrogative sentences, both verbs and adjectives can be used.

요즘 뭐 하시길래 그렇게 바쁘세요?

민수 씨가 어떻길래 모두들 그 사람을 싫어하는 거예요?

4. In the case of declarative sentences, the verb in the following clause must be either in the past or present progressive tense but never in the future tense. However, expressions which express the subject's intention or will, such as -(으)려고 하다 can be used.

약속 시간까지 1시간 정도 남았길래 서점에 가서 책을 좀 볼 거예요. ✕

5. This expression cannot be used when the following clause uses an imperative or propositive form.

사람들이 요즘 이 책을 많은 읽는 것 같길래 도서관에서 빌릴까요? ✕

6. When expressing supposition or presumption, not only -겠- but also -(으)ㄹ 듯하다 can be used before -길래 in this expression.

지하철역 앞에서 파는 치킨이 맛있겠길래 한 마리 사 왔어요.

지하철역 앞에서 파는 치킨이 맛있을 듯하길래 한 마리 사 왔어요.

7. While they must be different in declarative sentences, when used in interrogative sentences, the subjects of the preceding and following clauses can be the same. In addition, both the preceding and following clauses can be either in the second or third person but not in the first person. Finally, the preceding clause must include a question word, such as 왜, 언제, 누구(누가), 무엇, 어떻게, 얼마나, 무슨, 어느 or 어떤.

오늘 누구를 만나길래 이렇게 예쁘게 차려 입었어요?

무슨 일이 있었길래 얼굴이 이렇게 안 좋아요?

도대체 어떤 곳이길래 너도나도 가고 싶어 하는 거야?

8. This expression is generally used in spoken language. For written language, it can be replaced with -기에 without much change in meaning. However, note that the use of -길래 has more grammatical restrictions than -기에, so caution is necessary when using them.

날씨가 덥기에 에어컨을 틀었어요.

태풍이 와서 바람이 심하게 불기에 약속을 취소하고 집에 있었어요.

Kimchi Reader

Used to express the reason or cause for the speaker's action.

Details

Usage

Commonly used in speaking, and can be replaced by 때문에