🏃

Sacrificing Time/Effort: -느라고

Keywords
-느라고
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🏃 -느라고 [-neu-ra-go] means because someone was busy/occupied doing X, often causing a negative or inconvenient result.
  • ⏰ It has a “time/attention got swallowed” feeling: 숙제하느라고 못 갔어요. — I couldn’t go because I was doing homework.
  • 🚫 Use it with action verbs, usually with the same subject, and avoid commands/suggestions after it.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 공부하느라고, 기다리느라고, 노느라고, and 전화하느라고. Listen for the smooth rhythm: 느-라-고. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-느라고 explains that someone was occupied with one action, and because of that, another result happened. The result is usually not great:
  • someone was late
  • someone could not do something
  • someone missed something
  • someone became tired
  • something went wrong
 
Think of -느라고 as “the action ate my time/attention.” 🍽️⏰
 
Basic examples:
  • 숙제하느라고 못 갔어요. [suk-je-ha-neu-ra-go mot ga-sseo-yo] — I couldn’t go because I was doing homework. ✏️
  • 전화하느라고 못 들었어요. [jeon-hwa-ha-neu-ra-go mot deu-reo-sseo-yo] — I didn’t hear because I was on the phone. 📞
  • 늦잠을 자느라고 늦었어요. [neut-ja-meul ja-neu-ra-go neu-jeo-sseo-yo] — I was late because I overslept. 😴
 
This is why the lesson title says sacrificing time/effort: while doing one thing, another thing gets delayed, missed, or sacrificed.

🎨 The Core Pattern

Attach -느라고 to an action verb stem.
 
Formula
  • Action verb stem + 느라고 + negative/inconvenient result
 
Examples:
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] — to study → 공부하느라고 [gong-bu-ha-neu-ra-go]
  • 일하다 [il-ha-da] — to work → 일하느라고 [il-ha-neu-ra-go]
  • 먹다 [meok-da] — to eat → 먹느라고 [meong-neu-ra-go]
  • 읽다 [ik-da] — to read → 읽느라고 [ing-neu-ra-go]
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] — to wait → 기다리느라고 [gi-da-ri-neu-ra-go]
  • 자다 [ja-da] — to sleep → 자느라고 [ja-neu-ra-go]
 
Sentence examples:
  • 일하느라고 피곤해요. [il-ha-neu-ra-go pi-gon-hae-yo] — I’m tired because I was working. 💼
  • 게임하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요. [ge-im-ha-neu-ra-go ja-meul mot ja-sseo-yo] — I couldn’t sleep because I was playing games. 🎮

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

  • 시험공부하느라고 친구를 못 만났어요.
      • [si-heom-gong-bu-ha-neu-ra-go chin-gu-reul mot man-na-sseo-yo] — I couldn’t meet my friend because I was studying for an exam. 📝
      시험공부하다 = to study for an exam; 못 만났어요 = couldn’t meet.
  • 요리하느라고 손을 다쳤어요.
      • [yo-ri-ha-neu-ra-go so-neul da-chyeo-sseo-yo] — I hurt my hand while cooking / because I was cooking. 🍳
      요리하다 = to cook; 손 = hand; 다치다 = to get hurt.
  • 친구를 기다리느라고 늦었어요.
      • [chin-gu-reul gi-da-ri-neu-ra-go neu-jeo-sseo-yo] — I was late because I was waiting for my friend. ⏰
      기다리다 = to wait; 늦다 = to be late.
  • 운전하느라고 전화를 못 받았어요.
      • [un-jeon-ha-neu-ra-go jeon-hwa-reul mot ba-da-sseo-yo] — I couldn’t answer the phone because I was driving. 🚗

🧩 Formation Rule

1. Regular action verbs

Remove 다, then add 느라고.
  • 가다 → 가느라고
  • 보다 → 보느라고
  • 먹다 → 먹느라고
  • 찾다 → 찾느라고
  • 공부하다 → 공부하느라고
 

2. ㄹ-ending action verbs

Drop ㄹ before 느라고.
  • 놀다 → 노느라고 — because someone was playing 🎮
  • 만들다 → 만드느라고 — because someone was making 🛠️
  • 살다 → 사느라고 — because someone was living 🏠
  • 팔다 → 파느라고 — because someone was selling 🛒
 

3. Action verbs only

Use -느라고 with actions, not descriptive adjectives.
  • ✅ 일하느라고 피곤해요. — I’m tired because I was working.
  • ❌ 피곤하느라고 못 갔어요.
  • ✅ 피곤해서 못 갔어요. — I couldn’t go because I was tired.
 

4. No past/future marker before -느라고

Do not put -았/었- or -겠- before 느라고.
  • ❌ 공부했느라고 피곤해요.
  • ✅ 공부하느라고 피곤해요.
  • ✅ 공부했기 때문에 피곤해요.

🧭 Important Usage Limits

1. Same subject

Usually, the person doing the first action is also the person affected by the result.
  • ✅ 제가 숙제하느라고 못 갔어요. — I couldn’t go because I was doing homework.
  • ❌ 동생이 자느라고 제가 못 잤어요. — My younger sibling slept, so I couldn’t sleep. (different subjects)
  • ✅ 동생이 잤기 때문에 제가 못 잤어요. — Because my younger sibling slept, I couldn’t sleep.
 

2. Result is usually negative or inconvenient

Natural results:
  • 못 갔어요 — couldn’t go
  • 늦었어요 — was late
  • 피곤해요 — am tired
  • 못 들었어요 — didn’t hear
  • 실수했어요 — made a mistake
 

3. Do not use commands or suggestions after -느라고

  • ❌ 숙제하느라고 일찍 잡시다.
  • ✅ 숙제해야 하니까 일찍 잡시다. — Because we have to do homework, let’s sleep early.
  • ✅ 숙제하느라고 못 잤어요. — I couldn’t sleep because I was doing homework.

🔍 -느라고 vs Other Reason Grammar

-느라고

Use when someone was occupied doing an action, usually causing a bad or inconvenient result.
  • 전화하느라고 못 들었어요. — I didn’t hear because I was on the phone. 📞
 

-기 때문에

More general and flexible. Can use different subjects and past tense.
  • 전화했기 때문에 못 들었어요. — Because I made/was on a call, I didn’t hear.
  • 동생이 전화했기 때문에 제가 못 들었어요. — Because my younger sibling called, I didn’t hear.
 

-아서/어서

Smooth neutral reason-result.
  • 피곤해서 못 갔어요. — I couldn’t go because I was tired.
 

-(으)니까

Useful before commands, requests, suggestions, and decisions.
  • 아프니까 쉬세요. — Since you’re sick, please rest.
 
Tiny feeling note: -느라고 often sounds like an excuse or explanation: “I got caught up doing X.” 🫠

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson’s constraints for -느라고 — action-verb use, same-subject tendency, negative/inconvenient result, no command/suggestion in the following clause, and no past/future marker before it — align with standard Korean grammar descriptions and connect with related reason lessons like
🌉
Reason and Result: 아서 / 어서,
💪
The Strong Reason: -기 때문에,
🧭
Reason for Request: -(으)니까, and
🌪️
Unintended Negative Result: -는 바람에. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

These all explain reasons, but they are not identical:
  • -느라고 [-neu-ra-go] → because/while doing; action took time/attention and caused a result 🏃
  • -기 때문에 [-gi ttae-mu-ne] → because; strong and flexible reason 💪
  • -아서/어서 [a-seo/eo-seo] → because/so; smooth reason-result bridge 🌉
  • -(으)니까 [-(eu)-ni-kka] → because/since; useful for requests and suggestions 🧭
  • -는 바람에 [-neun ba-ra-me] → because of an unexpected event; usually negative result 🌪️

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 공부했느라고 피곤해요. → ✅ 공부하느라고 피곤해요. (Do not use past marker before 느라고.)
  • ❌ 먹으느라고 늦었어요. → ✅ 먹느라고 늦었어요. (No extra 으 for consonant stems.)
  • ❌ 놀느라고 → ✅ 노느라고 (ㄹ drops before 느라고.)
  • ❌ 바쁘느라고 못 갔어요. → ✅ 바빠서 못 갔어요. / 바쁘기 때문에 못 갔어요. (Use action verbs.)
  • ❌ 숙제하느라고 빨리 가세요. → ✅ 숙제해야 하니까 빨리 가세요. (Do not use -느라고 before commands.)
 
🎉 Now you can explain why something got delayed, missed, or sacrificed: -느라고 points to the action that swallowed the time and attention. 🏃✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct -느라고 form. Watch for action verbs, ㄹ-drop, and common mistakes.
1. 공부하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gong-bu-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was studying 📝
Answer
공부하느라고 — 공부하다 → 공부하느라고.
2. 일하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[il-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was working 💼
Answer
일하느라고 — 일하다 → 일하느라고.
3. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿
[meok-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was eating 🍚
Answer
먹느라고 — no extra 으: 먹느라고.
4. 기다리다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gi-da-ri-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was waiting ⏰
Answer
기다리느라고 — 기다리다 → 기다리느라고.
5. 놀다 → ＿＿＿＿
[nol-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was playing 🎮
Answer
노느라고 — ㄹ drops: 놀다 → 노느라고.
6. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿
[man-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿]
because I was making 🛠️
Answer
만드느라고 — ㄹ drops: 만들다 → 만드느라고.
7. 전화하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 못 들었어요.
[jeon-hwa-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ mot deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I didn’t hear because I was on the phone. 📞
Answer
전화하느라고 — 전화하느라고 못 들었어요.
8. ❌ 공부했느라고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
공부하느라고 — do not use 했 before 느라고.
9. ❌ 먹으느라고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹느라고 — consonant stems do not take extra 으 here.
10. 숙제하느라고 ＿＿＿＿.
[suk-je-ha-neu-ra-go ＿＿＿＿]
I couldn’t go because I was doing homework. ✏️
Answer
못 갔어요 — 숙제하느라고 못 갔어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • -느라고 → because/while doing
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 놀다 → to play
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 전화하다 → to call / be on the phone
  • 못 들었어요 → didn’t hear
  • 못 갔어요 → couldn’t go
Tip 💡 Action verb stem + 느라고. No 요, no 았/었, no extra 으.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you fresh “I was caught up doing X” scenes. 🏃
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Sacrificing Time/Effort: -느라고
 
Welcome to the excuse-and-result workshop. 🛠️ Practice using -느라고 to explain missed calls, late arrivals, tired faces, and things that did not happen because someone was occupied with an action.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, read the completed sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Check: action verb? same subject? negative or inconvenient result?
 

Exercise 1 — Basic Action + 느라고 🏃

A. 숙제하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 잠을 못 잤어요.
[suk-je-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ja-meul mot ja-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t sleep because I was doing homework. ✏️
Answer
숙제하느라고 — remove 다, then add 느라고.
B. 일하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 너무 피곤해요.
[il-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ neo-mu pi-gon-hae-yo]
I’m very tired because I was working. 💼
Answer
일하느라고 — remove 다, then add 느라고.
C. 친구를 기다리다 → 친구를 ＿＿＿＿ 늦었어요.
[chin-gu-reul gi-da-ri-da → chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿ neu-jeo-sseo-yo]
I was late because I was waiting for my friend. ⏰
Answer
기다리느라고 — 기다리다 → 기다리느라고.
D. 전화하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 못 들었어요.
[jeon-hwa-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ mot deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I didn’t hear because I was on the phone. 📞
Answer
전화하느라고 — 전화하다 → 전화하느라고.
E. 요리하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 손을 다쳤어요.
[yo-ri-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ so-neul da-chyeo-sseo-yo]
I hurt my hand while cooking. 🍳
Answer
요리하느라고 — 요리하다 → 요리하느라고.
F. 청소하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 허리가 아파요.
[cheong-so-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo]
My back hurts because I was cleaning. 🧹
Answer
청소하느라고 — 청소하다 → 청소하느라고.
G. 운전하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 전화를 못 받았어요.
[un-jeon-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ jeon-hwa-reul mot ba-da-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t answer the phone because I was driving. 🚗
Answer
운전하느라고 — 운전하다 → 운전하느라고.
H. 회의하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 점심을 못 먹었어요.
[hoe-ui-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ jeom-si-meul mot meo-geo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t eat lunch because I was in a meeting. 💼
Answer
회의하느라고 — 회의하다 → 회의하느라고.
I. 짐을 싸다 → 짐을 ＿＿＿＿ 메시지를 못 봤어요.
[ji-meul ssa-da → ji-meul ＿＿＿＿ me-si-ji-reul mot bwa-sseo-yo]
I didn’t see the message because I was packing. 🧳
Answer
싸느라고 — 싸다 → 싸느라고.
J. 사진을 찍다 → 사진을 ＿＿＿＿ 길을 놓쳤어요.
[sa-ji-neul jjik-da → sa-ji-neul ＿＿＿＿ gi-reul no-chyeo-sseo-yo]
I missed the way because I was taking photos. 📷
Answer
찍느라고 — 찍다 → 찍느라고.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 숙제하다 → to do homework
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 전화하다 → to call / be on the phone
  • 요리하다 → to cook
  • 청소하다 → to clean
  • 운전하다 → to drive
  • 회의하다 → to have a meeting
  • 짐을 싸다 → to pack
  • 사진을 찍다 → to take a photo
Tip 💡 If the first action took your attention and the result was inconvenient, -느라고 often fits.
 

Exercise 2 — Plain Verb Stems + 느라고 🍚

A. 밥을 먹＿＿＿＿ 늦었어요.
[ba-beul meok＿＿＿＿ neu-jeo-sseo-yo]
I was late because I was eating. 🍚
Answer
느라고 — 먹느라고.
B. 책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 시간이 없었어요.
[chae-geul ik＿＿＿＿ si-ga-ni eop-seo-sseo-yo]
I didn’t have time because I was reading a book. 📖
Answer
느라고 — 읽느라고.
C. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 집중을 못 했어요.
[eu-ma-geul deut＿＿＿＿ jip-jung-eul mot hae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t focus because I was listening to music. 🎵
Answer
느라고 — 듣느라고.
D. 친구를 찾＿＿＿＿ 수업에 늦었어요.
[chin-gu-reul chat＿＿＿＿ su-eo-be neu-jeo-sseo-yo]
I was late to class because I was looking for my friend. 🔎
Answer
느라고 — 찾느라고.
E. 옷을 입＿＿＿＿ 전화를 못 받았어요.
[o-seul ip＿＿＿＿ jeon-hwa-reul mot ba-da-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t answer the phone because I was getting dressed. 👕
Answer
느라고 — 입느라고.
F. 문을 닫＿＿＿＿ 손을 다쳤어요.
[mu-neul dat＿＿＿＿ so-neul da-chyeo-sseo-yo]
I hurt my hand while closing the door. 🚪
Answer
느라고 — 닫느라고.
G. 버스를 타＿＿＿＿ 메시지를 못 보냈어요.
[beo-seu-reul ta＿＿＿＿ me-si-ji-reul mot bo-nae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t send a message because I was getting on/riding the bus. 🚌
Answer
느라고 — 타느라고.
H. 옷을 고르＿＿＿＿ 시간이 많이 걸렸어요.
[o-seul go-reu＿＿＿＿ si-ga-ni ma-ni geol-lyeo-sseo-yo]
It took a lot of time because I was choosing clothes. 👗
Answer
느라고 — 고르느라고.
I. 자료를 찾＿＿＿＿ 밤을 새웠어요.
[ja-ryo-reul chat＿＿＿＿ ba-meul sae-wo-sseo-yo]
I stayed up all night because I was looking for materials. 📄
Answer
느라고 — 찾느라고.
J. 영상을 보＿＿＿＿ 숙제를 못 했어요.
[yeong-sang-eul bo＿＿＿＿ suk-je-reul mot hae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t do homework because I was watching videos. 📺
Answer
느라고 — 보느라고.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 듣다 → to listen/hear
  • 찾다 → to look for
  • 입다 → to wear / put on
  • 닫다 → to close
  • 타다 → to ride
  • 고르다 → to choose
  • 밤을 새우다 → to stay up all night
  • 영상 → video
Tip 💡 Unlike -(으)니까, this form is simply 느라고; do not add 으.
 

Exercise 3 — ㄹ-Drop Practice 🎮

A. 놀다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
노느라고 — ㄹ drops.
B. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
만드느라고 — ㄹ drops.
C. 살다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
사느라고 — ㄹ drops.
D. 팔다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
파느라고 — ㄹ drops.
E. 아이와 놀＿＿＿＿ 일을 못 했어요.
[a-i-wa nol＿＿＿＿ i-reul mot hae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t work because I was playing with the child. 🧸
Answer
노느라고 — 아이와 노느라고 일을 못 했어요.
F. 케이크를 만들＿＿＿＿ 늦었어요.
[ke-i-keu-reul man-deul＿＿＿＿ neu-jeo-sseo-yo]
I was late because I was making a cake. 🎂
Answer
만드느라고 — 케이크를 만드느라고 늦었어요.
G. 물건을 팔＿＿＿＿ 점심을 못 먹었어요.
[mul-geo-neul pal＿＿＿＿ jeom-si-meul mot meo-geo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t eat lunch because I was selling things. 🛒
Answer
파느라고 — 물건을 파느라고 점심을 못 먹었어요.
H. 서울에 살＿＿＿＿ 적응하느라 힘들었어요.
[seo-u-re sal＿＿＿＿ jeo-geung-ha-neu-ra him-deu-reo-sseo-yo]
While living in Seoul, adjusting was hard. 🏙️
Answer
사느라고 — 살다 → 사느라고. In neutral reason sentences, 살아서 or 살기 때문에 may be more common.
I. ❌ 놀느라고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
노느라고 — drop ㄹ.
J. ❌ 만들느라고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
만드느라고 — drop ㄹ.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 놀다 → to play
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 살다 → to live
  • 팔다 → to sell
  • 아이 → child
  • 일 → work
  • 케이크 → cake
  • 물건 → thing/item
  • 적응하다 → to adjust/adapt
Tip 💡 ㄹ disappears before 느라고: 놀다 → 노느라고.
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Better Reason Form 🧭

A. “I couldn’t go because I was doing homework.”
① 숙제하느라고 못 갔어요. / ② 숙제해서 못 갔어요.
Answer
① — -느라고 fits “I was occupied doing homework, so I couldn’t go.”
B. “Because I was tired, I couldn’t go.”
① 피곤하느라고 못 갔어요. / ② 피곤해서 못 갔어요.
Answer
② — 피곤하다 is descriptive, so use 피곤해서 or 피곤하기 때문에.
C. “Because my younger sibling slept, I couldn’t sleep.”
① 동생이 자느라고 제가 못 잤어요. / ② 동생이 잤기 때문에 제가 못 잤어요.
Answer
② — different subjects, so -기 때문에 is safer.
D. “Because I was on the phone, I didn’t hear.”
① 전화하느라고 못 들었어요. / ② 전화했느라고 못 들었어요.
Answer
① — do not use 했 before 느라고.
E. “Because we have to work this week, let’s meet next week.”
① 이번 주에 일하느라고 다음 주에 만납시다. / ② 이번 주에 일해야 하니까 다음 주에 만납시다.
Answer
② — the result is a suggestion, so use -(으)니까.
F. “I’m tired because I was cleaning.”
① 청소하느라고 피곤해요. / ② 청소했느라고 피곤해요.
Answer
① — 청소하느라고.
G. “I was late because I was waiting.”
① 기다리느라고 늦었어요. / ② 기다렸느라고 늦었어요.
Answer
① — no past marker before 느라고.
H. “Please rest because you are sick.”
① 아프느라고 쉬세요. / ② 아프니까 쉬세요.
Answer
② — request/command result uses -(으)니까, and 아프다 is descriptive.
I. “I couldn’t sleep because I was playing games.”
① 게임하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요. / ② 게임하니까 잠을 못 잤어요.
Answer
① — -느라고 fits being absorbed in the activity.
J. “Because it was cold, I closed the window.”
① 춥느라고 창문을 닫았어요. / ② 추워서 창문을 닫았어요.
Answer
② — 춥다 is descriptive; use 추워서 or 춥기 때문에.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 숙제하다 → to do homework
  • 피곤하다 → to be tired
  • 동생 → younger sibling
  • 전화하다 → to call / be on the phone
  • 일해야 하다 → to have to work
  • 청소하다 → to clean
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 아프다 → to be sick/hurt
  • 춥다 → to be cold
Tip 💡 If the result is a command or suggestion, think -(으)니까, not -느라고.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 공부했느라고 피곤해요. → ✅ ＿＿＿＿ 피곤해요.
Answer
공부하느라고 — no 했 before 느라고.
B. ❌ 먹으느라고 늦었어요. → ✅ ＿＿＿＿ 늦었어요.
Answer
먹느라고 — no extra 으.
C. ❌ 놀느라고 잠을 못 잤어요. → ✅ ＿＿＿＿ 잠을 못 잤어요.
Answer
노느라고 — 놀다 drops ㄹ.
D. 늦잠을 자＿＿＿＿ 학교에 늦었어요.
[neut-ja-meul ja＿＿＿＿ hak-gyo-e neu-jeo-sseo-yo]
I was late to school because I overslept. 😴
Answer
느라고 — 늦잠을 자느라고 학교에 늦었어요.
E. 회의하＿＿＿＿ 점심을 못 먹었어요.
[hoe-ui-ha＿＿＿＿ jeom-si-meul mot meo-geo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t eat lunch because I was in a meeting. 💼
Answer
느라고 — 회의하느라고.
F. Choose the correct sentence: ① 바쁘느라고 못 갔어요. / ② 바빠서 못 갔어요.
Answer
② — 바쁘다 is descriptive, so 바빠서 is better.
G. Choose the correct sentence: ① 책을 읽느라고 버스를 놓쳤어요. / ② 책을 읽었느라고 버스를 놓쳤어요.
Answer
① — no past marker before 느라고.
H. Choose the natural request: ① 청소하느라고 도와주세요. / ② 청소해야 하니까 도와주세요.
Answer
② — request result: use -(으)니까.
I. 게임하느라고 means:
Answer
because someone was playing games / while playing games — often before a negative result.
J. 전화하느라고 못 받았어요. means:
Answer
I couldn’t answer because I was on the phone.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 늦잠을 자다 → to oversleep
  • 학교에 늦다 → to be late to school
  • 회의하다 → to have a meeting
  • 점심 → lunch
  • 버스를 놓치다 → to miss the bus
  • 도와주다 → to help
  • 게임하다 → to play games
  • 못 받다 → cannot answer/receive
Tip 💡 -느라고 is best when an action occupied someone and caused an inconvenient result.
 
🎉 -느라고 unlocked. You can now explain delays, missed chances, and tired days by pointing to the action that swallowed the time. 🏃⏰