Korean Result Connectors: 그래서, 따라서, 그 결과
Learn to connect a cause to its result in Korean with 그래서, 따라서, and 그 결과, and see how they differ from contrast connectors like 그러나.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Korean has several ways to say 'therefore', 'as a result', and 'consequently'. The most common everyday connector is 그래서, while 따라서 is more formal and often used in writing or presentations. The phrase 그 결과 ('as a result') is a noun phrase that often appears at the start of a sentence. These connectors all point forward to a result, unlike 그러나 ('however'), which points to a contrast. In this lesson you will learn the core patterns, when to choose each one, and how to avoid mixing them up with contrast words.
By the end, you can…
- use 그래서 to connect a cause and a result in everyday conversation.
- choose between 그래서, 따라서, and 그 결과 according to formality and sentence position.
- distinguish result connectors from contrast connectors such as 그러나.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요.
It rained. Therefore, I stayed home.
bi-ga wa-sseo-yo. geu-rae-seo ji-be i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Everyday spoken Korean. 그래서 links a cause to a result and usually starts the second sentence.
길이 막혔습니다. 따라서 늦었습니다.
The road was congested. Therefore, I was late.
gi-ri mak-hyeot-seum-ni-da. tta-ra-seo neu-jeot-seum-ni-da.
Formal written or presentation style. 따라서 is common in reports and announcements.
그 결과, 매출이 크게 늘었습니다.
As a result, sales increased greatly.
geu gyeol-gwa, mae-chu-ri keu-ge neu-reot-seum-ni-da.
그 결과 is a noun phrase meaning 'as a result'; it often begins a sentence and takes a comma.
그래서 어떻게 됐어요?
So what happened? / And as a result, what happened?
geu-rae-seo eo-tteo-ke dwae-sseo-yo?
그래서 can also mean 'so' when asking for the result of a story.
늦게 출발했어요. 그 결과로 표를 못 샀어요.
I left late. As a result, I couldn't buy a ticket.
neut-ge chul-bal-hae-sseo-yo. geu gyeol-gwa-ro pyo-reul mot sa-sseo-yo.
그 결과로 is a variant that emphasizes the causal link; it is common in narrative explanation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic result pattern is: cause sentence + result connector + result sentence. In casual speech, use 그래서: 비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요. In formal writing, use 따라서: 비가 왔습니다. 따라서 집에 있었습니다. You can also use 그 결과 at the start of the result sentence: 비가 왔습니다. 그 결과, 집에 있었습니다. Notice that 그래서 is a conjunction, while 그 결과 is a noun phrase, so it often takes a comma and can be followed by 로 (그 결과로) to stress the causal link.
When to use it
Choose 그래서 for conversation, texting, and everyday explanations. Choose 따라서 for reports, presentations, academic writing, and formal announcements. Choose 그 결과 when you want to present the result as a distinct outcome, especially in narration or analysis. Do not use 그래서 in very formal written Korean where 따라서 is expected, and do not use 따라서 in casual chat where it can sound stiff. Also remember that these connectors show a result, while 그러나 and 하지만 show a contrast: 비가 왔어요. 그러나 나갔어요 means 'It rained. However, I went out,' which is not a result relationship.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
어제 왜 회사에 못 갔어요?
Why couldn't you go to work yesterday?eo-je wae hoe-sa-e mot ga-sseo-yo?지하철이 고장 났어요. 그래서 버스를 탔어요.
The subway broke down. Therefore, I took the bus.ji-ha-cheol-i go-jang na-sseo-yo. geu-rae-seo beo-seu-reul ta-sseo-yo.그래서 늦었어요?
So were you late?geu-rae-seo neu-jeo-sseo-yo?네. 그 결과로 회의에 못 들어갔어요.
Yes. As a result, I couldn't join the meeting.ne. geu gyeol-gwa-ro hoe-ui-e mot deu-reo-ga-sseo-yo.A little context goes a long way
Korean often prefers explicit cause-and-result linking in both speech and writing. In formal settings such as business reports or academic presentations, 따라서 and 그 결과 are common and signal a logical, organized style. In casual conversation, 그래서 is neutral and natural, but repeating it too often can sound repetitive; Korean speakers may also use 그래 가지고 or 그래서 말이야 in relaxed speech. Match the connector to the setting rather than translating English 'therefore' word for word.
One thing to watch for
Using 그러나 or 하지만 to mean 'therefore' because both are common sentence connectors.
Try this instead: 그러나 and 하지만 mean 'however' and show contrast, not result. For a result, use 그래서, 따라서, or 그 결과. Example: 비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요 ('It rained. Therefore, I stayed home'), not 비가 왔어요. 그러나 집에 있었어요, which incorrectly suggests a contrast.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Choose the most natural connector for casual speech: 비가 왔어요. ___ 집에 있었어요.
Show a sample answer
그래서
그래서 is the everyday result connector. 따라서 would be too formal here, and 그러나 would wrongly signal contrast.
2Rewrite this formal sentence using 따라서: 길이 막혔습니다. 그래서 늦었습니다.
Show a sample answer
길이 막혔습니다. 따라서 늦었습니다.
따라서 matches the formal -습니다 style and clearly marks the result. 그 결과 is also possible if you want to foreground the outcome.
3Does 그 결과 mean 'however' or 'as a result'? Give a short Korean example.
Show a sample answer
It means 'as a result'. Example: 그 결과, 매출이 늘었습니다.
그 결과 introduces a result, not a contrast. 그러나 would be the contrast equivalent.
Use 그래서 for everyday results, 따라서 for formal results, and 그 결과 to highlight an outcome. Keep them separate from contrast words like 그러나 and 하지만.
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