는 바람에 VS 느라고

Korean learners often get confused between –는 바람에 and –느라고 

because both can express a cause and a negative result.

However, they are used differently, have different sentence structures, 

and show different timing between events.

Let’s explore these two grammar patterns step by step with lots of examples!

1. -는 바람에

: "Because of something (unexpected or uncontrollable),  a negative result occurred."

[ Key points ]

• Used when something unexpected happened, leading to a negative consequence.

• The speaker usually did not intend or control the situation.

• The second clause is usually in the past or present tense. 

• The subjects of the two clauses don’t have to be the same.

• There is a time gap: Event A happens first, then Event B happens afterward.

[ Examples Sentences ]

1. 비가 오는 바람에 오늘 빨래를 할 수 없어요.  It rained, so I can't get the laundry done today.

2. 버스를 놓치는 바람에 수업에 늦었어요. I missed the bus, so I was late for class.

3. 컴퓨터가 꺼지는 바람에 파일을 못 저장했어요.  My computer shut down, so I couldn't save the file.

4. 빵을 만드는 바람에 부엌이 더러워졌어요.  I was baking bread, so the kitchen got messy.

5. 책을 다 읽는 바람에 늦게 잤어요.  I finished reading the book, so I went to bed late.

2. -느라고

: "Because I was busy doing A,  I couldn’t do B (or something bad happened)."

[ Key points ]

• Used when Action A caused a problem or prevented Action B

• Two actions happen simultaneously.

• The subject is usually the same in both clauses.

• Usually describes a negative or undesired outcome.

• Often used for explaining a reason or excuse.

[ Examples Sentences ] : Both actions happened at the same

1. 청소를 하느라고 전화를 못 받았어요. I was cleaning, so I couldn’t answer the phone.

2. 책을 다 읽느라고 친구를 못 만났어요. I was so busy finishing a book that I couldn’t meet my friend.

3. 운전하느라고 문자를 확인할 수 없었어요.  I was driving, so I didn’t check my messages.

4. 쿠키를 만드느라고 밤을 샜어요.  I stayed up all night making cookies.

5. 병원에 가느라고 점심도 못 먹었어요. I was so busy going to the hospital that I couldn’t eat lunch.

-는 바람에 VS -느라고

The key difference lies in the timing.

1. 회의를 길게 하는 바람에 약속에 늦었어요. The meeting went long, so I was late for my appointment.

   → the meeting happened first, and as a result, the speaker was late for the appointment.

2. 회의를 길게 하느라고 점심을 못 먹었어요. I was in a long meeting, so I couldn’t eat lunch.

   → the meeting and lunchtime overlapped. It was time to eat, but the speaker missed lunch because they were still in the meeting.

[ In Short ]

–는 바람에 is used when something unexpected happened first and led to a problem. 

–느라고 is used when two actions happened at the same time, but one action made the other impossible.

Just remember — the key difference is in the timing!

If you have any additional questions,  feel free to ask in the comments!😊