📝 Grammar B2

-느라

-neura

Because of doing / In the process of

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What it means

Expresses that doing one action caused a negative result or left no time/energy for another. Attaches to action verb stems. The subject must be the same in both clauses. The first clause explains why the negative situation in the second clause occurred.

Nuance & when to use

Always implies that the first action was the reason something else could not be done or went wrong. Usually carries a sense of being too busy or preoccupied.

⚠ Common mistake

Using -느라 when the subject changes between clauses. Both clauses must share the same subject.

Example sentences

숙제하느라 잠을 못 잤어요. Sukjehaneumra jameul mot jasseoyo. I couldn't sleep because I was doing homework.
일하느라 밥도 제대로 못 먹었어요. Ilhaneumra bapdo jedaero mot meogeosseoyo. I couldn't even eat properly because I was working.
준비하느라 전화를 못 받았어요. Junbihaneumra jeonhwareul mot badasseoyo. I couldn't answer the phone because I was preparing.

See also

-기 때문에 -는 바람에
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More B2 lessons

국뽕 gukppong Excessive Korean nationalism / K-pride overload -(으)ㄴ/던 -(eu)n/deon Used to / Past habitual / Reminiscent of 공감 gonggam Empathy / Resonance / To relate
← -기 마련이다 -는 바람에 →

FAQ

When is this used?

Always implies that the first action was the reason something else could not be done or went wrong. Usually carries a sense of being too busy or preoccupied.

What's a common mistake?

Using -느라 when the subject changes between clauses. Both clauses must share the same subject.

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