Unit 02 | -았/었더니 | (Cause and Effect)

-았/었더니 (after doing something → result happened)

This grammar connects two actions or events where the first action directly leads to the second result — something the speaker personally experienced.
It’s often translated as “and then…,” “so…,” or “as a result…” in English.

1️⃣ 아침을 안 먹고 나갔더니 속이 쓰려요.
→ I skipped breakfast and now my stomach hurts.

2️⃣ 밤새 창문을 열어놨더니 방이 너무 추워요.
→ I left the window open all night, and now the room is freezing.

3️⃣ 비 오는 줄 모르고 나갔더니 옷이 다 젖었어요.
→ I went out not knowing it was raining, and my clothes got all wet.

4️⃣ 운동을 너무 무리해서 했더니 다리가 아파요.
→ I exercised too hard, and now my legs hurt.

5️⃣ 커피를 너무 많이 마셨더니 잠이 안 와요.
→ I drank too much coffee, and now I can’t sleep.

1️⃣ Verb stem + -았/었더니
2️⃣ Use -았더니 after ㅏ or ㅗ vowels.
3️⃣ Use -었더니 after other vowels or consonants.
4️⃣ Use -했더니 after 하다 verbs.

Meaning: The first action directly caused the result in the second clause.

• Expresses a direct result or reaction caused by a previous action.
• Often used in personal experiences or storytelling.
• Slightly softer and more natural than -아서/어서 when expressing personal outcomes.
• The subject of both clauses is usually the same.

Think of something you did recently that led to an unexpected result.
Use “-았/었더니” to describe that cause-and-effect situation!

늦게 자서 늦게 일어났더니 아침을 못 먹었어요.
→ I went to bed late, and as a result, I couldn’t eat breakfast.

당신의 목소리가 학습의 열쇠입니다!
Your voice is the key to learning!