-느라고
Quick answer: -느라고 means busy doing that, so the other thing did not happen.
How to form it
Verb stem + 느라고 · the subject of both clauses must be the same · a command or suggestion cannot follow
In Korean: 동사 어간 + 느라고 앞뒤의 사람이 같아야 합니다 뒤에 명령·청유는 못 옵니다
What to know
-느라고의 뒤에는 «못 했다·늦었다»처럼 안 좋은 결과가 옵니다. 앞뒤를 한 사람이 해야 하고, 앞의 일이 시간을 잡아먹어야 합니다. 그래서 「자느라고 못 갔어요」는 되고 「비가 오느라고 못 갔어요」는 안 됩니다 — 비는 내가 하는 일이 아닙니다.
Examples
- 전화를 받느라고 문자를 못 봤어요.I was taking a call, so I missed the message.
- 그릇을 치우느라고 늦었어요.I was clearing the dishes, so I was late.
- 일하느라고 약속을 깜빡했어요.I was working, so the appointment slipped my mind.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 3 (TOPIK II), Lesson 13: 서두르는 바람에 그릇이 깨졌어요 — I was rushing, and that is how the dish got broken. Also in the Level 3 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -는 바람에.
Practise -느라고 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 3, Lesson 13 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.