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다(가) 보니(까)

Table of content

Realization Causation

1.

Realization

Indicates a sudden realization or conclusion after doing an action continuously for quite some time.

Example

책을 읽다가 보니 시간이 훌쩍 지나갔어요.

While reading the book, I realized time had flown by.
일을 하다가 보니까 실력이 늘었어요.

After working for a long time, I noticed that my skills had improved.
한국어를 매일매일 계속 하다 보니까 발음이 알아서 늘더라고요.

I noticed that my pronunciation improved on its own when I kept consistently using Korean every single day.

2.

Causation

since, as a(n) X

Used with 이다. It provides a reason or background for the following clause.

Example

열아홉 살이다 보니까 솔직히 유치할 줄 알았는데 생각이 깊더라.

Honestly, I thought he would be immature since he's only 19, but it turns out he's a deep thinker.
선생님이다 보니까 애들이 쓰는 신조어를 쉽게 배우게 돼요.

As a teacher, I can easily pick up the new slang the kids use.
판매자가 말하는 가격이 말도 안 되게 비쌌는데, 절실히 필요로 하는 입장이다 보니 잔말 없이 살 수밖에 없었다.

The price the seller gave was insanely expensive, but since I desperately needed it, I couldn't help but buy it without a complaint.

Some of the pattern(s) used in this grammar

The double '이' is sometimes omitted in '이다 보니까' expressions, such as '도시이다 보니까' --> '도시다 보니까'

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