그래서
geuraeseo[kɯɾɛsʰʌ̹]
The Korean word for "so" is 그래서 (geuraeseo).
그래서 is a conjunction used to introduce a result or a consequence of something that was previously mentioned. You can also use 그래서? with a rising intonation as a way to prompt someone to continue their story or to ask "And what happened next?"
What does it mean word for word?
The word 그래서 is a combination of the verb 그렇다 (to be so/to be like that) and the connective ending -어서 (because/and so).
Which one should you use?
While 그래서 focuses on a natural cause-and-effect sequence, the alternative 그러니까 is often used to emphasize a reason or to justify a suggestion or command.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal settings, such as written texts or formal speeches, the literary version 그리하여 is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the preceding reason occurred in the past, you can use the past tense form 그랬어서, which means "because it was so".
How do you pronounce it?
geuraeseo
Did you know?
- While 그래서 is a common way to say 'so', using it too frequently in a single conversation can make a speaker sound like a young child or someone with a very limited vocabulary.
- In highly emotional arguments, Koreans may replace 그래서 with 그러니까 to sound more insistent or to signal that the other person is missing the point.
- Even though 그래서 is a conjunction, it is often used at the start of a new sentence in spoken Korean, whereas in English, 'so' is more frequently used to connect two clauses within one sentence.
Examples in context
- 그래서, 안 온다고?So, you're not coming?This sentence shows how to use 그래서 to ask a follow-up question.Tatoeba #11104829 by intertime, translation #3652046 by karloelkebekio
- 그래서 기분이 좋아 보이는구나.So he looks good feeling.This sentence demonstrates using 그래서 to describe a resulting state.Tatoeba #10272878 by LeeSooHa, translation #10272884 by LeeSooHa
- 그 영화는 인기 있어서 많은 사람들이 보고 싶어합니다.That movie is popular, so many people want to see it.
- 날씨가 좋은 거 같아. 그래서 나들이를 가자!The weather seems nice. So, let's go for a walk!
- 비가 와요, 그래서 우산을 가져가요.bi-ga wa-yo, geu-rae-seo u-san-eul ga-jyeo-ga-yo.It is raining, so I am taking an umbrella.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about a movie.
- 수빈 Su-bin그 영화가 정말 재미있었어요?geu yeong-hwa-ga jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-eoss-eo-yo?Was that movie really fun?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 그래서 어제 또 봤어요.ne, geu-rae-seo eo-je tto bwas-seo-yo.Yes, so I watched it again yesterday.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨는 영화를 정말 좋아하시네요.hyun-woo ssi-neun yeong-hwa-reul jeong-mal jo-a-ha-si-ne-yo.Hyunwoo, you really love movies.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 영화 보는 게 제 취미예요.ma-ja-yo, yeong-hwa bo-neun ge je chwi-mi-ye-yo.That's right, watching movies is my hobby.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그래서, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
