-라서

Korean

Etymology

From Middle Korean 라〮셔〮 (Yale: -lásyé), from 라〮 (Yale: -lá) + 이셔〮 (Yale: ìsyé, infinitive of 잇다〮 (Yale: ìstá, “to be at”, whence modern 있다 (itda))). Compare 어서 (-eoseo) and 면서 (-myeonseo), from a similar etymology.

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ɾa̠sʰʌ̹]
• Phonetic hangul: [라서]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	raseo
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	laseo
McCune–Reischauer?	rasŏ
Yale Romanization?	lase

Suffix

라서 • (-raseo)

1. because, since; used directly after the stem of 이다 (-ida, “to be”, copula), whether present or elided, and its negative 아니다 (anida, “to not be”). It is the equivalent of 어서 (-eoseo) for other stems.

   Synonym: 라 (-ra)

   유기농이라서 그런지 많이 비싸다. ― Yuginong-i-raseo geureonji mani bissada. ― It's very expensive, maybe because it's organic.

   친구라서 알려주는 거야. ― Chin'gu-raseo allyeo-juneun geo-ya. ― I'm telling you that because you're my friend.