-(으)매

-(으)매 is a bookish, literary way to say 'because' or 'as', linking a cause to its natural result in formal writing.

이유·원인Reason & cause

Han: -(으)매 cannot be followed by a command; to give advice based on a reason use -(으)니.

Examples

위 사람은 맡은 직무에 최선을 다하였으매 이에 표창함.Since the above person did their utmost in their duties, this commendation is hereby given.

해가 저물매 나그네는 걸음을 재촉하였다.As the sun was setting, the traveler hurried his steps.

나이가 들매 부모님의 마음을 조금씩 이해하게 되었다.As I grew older, I gradually came to understand my parents' hearts.

가을이 깊어지매 산마다 단풍이 붉게 물들었다.As autumn deepened, every mountain turned red with autumn leaves.

Don’t mix up

-(으)매vs-(으)므로-(으)므로 is the neutral formal 'because' of reports and legal texts; -(으)매 is more literary and old-fashioned: 기준을 충족하므로 승인한다 (report) vs 봄이 오매 꽃이 피었다 (literary).

-(으)매vs-기에-기에 is formal but still used in speech and writing today; -(으)매 is almost purely written: 날씨가 좋기에 산책을 나갔어요 sounds natural, 좋으매 would not in speech.

How to build it

V/A+매 (no final consonant or ㄹ)

V/A+으매 (final consonant)

past: V/A+았/었으매

저물다 → 저물매, 깊다 → 깊으매, 끝나다 → 끝났으매

It belongs to formal writing, literature, speeches and official documents; in everyday conversation it sounds old-fashioned, so use -아서/-어서 or -(으)니까 there.
The main clause is usually a statement; it is not used with commands or suggestions (-(으)세요, -(으)ㅂ시다).
Past is marked before the ending (끝났으매, 하였으매); the main clause carries the overall tense.
It often appears with time or change expressions (해가 저물매, 때가 되매, 나이가 들매), where the cause is also the moment that triggers the result.

Classic mistake

Wrong: ~~비가 오매 우산을 가져가세요.~~

Right: 비가 오니 우산을 가져가세요.

-(으)매 cannot be followed by a command; to give advice based on a reason use -(으)니.

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