Are there equivalent to 때문에 with a positive/negative connotation?

Question

If I am correct, the 'Noun+때문에 / Verb+기 때문에' structure is a neutral way to express a cause. For example, 비 때문에 늦었어요 (I was late because of the rain) expresses a negative cause, whereas 여자친구 때문에 행복해요 (I am happy because of my girlfriend) expresses a positive cause. Are there structures that express a cause: 1. emphasising that the cause is considered as negative? 2. emphasising that the cause is considered as positive? Note: I am asking mostly because I am French Native where "a cause de" (because of) usually expresses a negative cause, whereas "grace a" (thanks to) only refers to a positive cause. I wish I could convey similar nuance in Korean.

Answer 1

Hi there!

The word 때문에 can be used in both negative and positive connotations depending on the context.

However there is a word that can be used to replace 때문에 for a positive connotation and it is 덕분에 which translates in to "thanks to".

For example,

If you say 비 때문에 늦었어요, this would mean "I was late because of the rain," putting rain as the blaming cause of your tardy.

But if you say 비 덕분에 늦었어요 would mean "I was late, thanks to the rain" putting rain as the grateful cause of the tardy.

As 때문에 can be used with both negative and positive connotations, 덕분에 can only be used with a positive connotation.

I hope this helps!

Da Ye