던 (deon) · 았/었던 (ass, eoss-deon, eossdeon)
Both ‘던’ and ‘았/었던’ express past experiences, but ‘던’ highlights repeated or ongoing past actions or incomplete past, whereas ‘았/었던’ emphasizes completed past states or events.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to recall past actions that were habitual, repeated, or in an incomplete state.
When to use
Habitual past actions, Incomplete past, Linking past and present
The nuance
Attach to verb stem to indicate repeated, habitual, or ongoing past actions or states, often linking past and present.
Used to emphasize completed past actions or states at a specific time in the past.
When to use
Completed past experience, Emphasizing past state, Definite past fact
The nuance
Combination of past tense ‘았/었’ + ‘던’, indicating clearly completed past experiences or states.
어렸을 때 자주 놀았던 공원이 아직도 있다.
eo-ryeoss-eul ttae ja-ju nol-ass-deon gong-won-i a-jik-do iss-da., eo ryeoss eul ttae ja ju nol ass deon gong won i a jik do iss da.
‘았던’ emphasizes a completed past experience, natural when referring to places.
그때 먹던 음식이 정말 맛있었어.
geu-ttae meok-deon eum-sik-i jeong-mal mas-iss-eoss-eo., geu ttae meok deon eum sik i jeong mal mas iss eoss eo.
‘던’ fits recalling food that was habitually or repeatedly eaten in the past.
그때 먹었던 음식이 정말 맛있었어.
geu-ttae meok-eoss-deon eum-sik-i jeong-mal mas-iss-eoss-eo., geu ttae meok eoss deon eum sik i jeong mal mas iss eoss eo.
‘았던’ clearly states the food was eaten at a specific past time.
나는 어제 본던 영화를 추천하고 싶어.
na-neun eo-je bon-deon yeong-hwa-reul chu-cheon-ha-go sip-eo., na neun eo je bon deon yeong hwa reul chu cheon ha go sip eo.
‘본던’ is incorrect; correct forms are ‘보던’ or ‘봤던’.
나는 어제 봤던 영화를 추천하고 싶어.
na-neun eo-je bwass-deon yeong-hwa-reul chu-cheon-ha-go sip-eo., na neun eo je bwass deon yeong hwa reul chu cheon ha go sip eo.
‘봤던’ correctly specifies a movie watched yesterday.
그 사람은 예전에 살던 집에 다시 갔다.
geu sa-ram-eun ye-jeon-e sal-deon jip-e da-si gass-da., geu sa ram eun ye jeon e sal deon jip e da si gass da.
‘던’ suits recalling a past state like a house someone used to live in.
그 사람은 예전에 살았던 집에 다시 갔다.
geu sa-ram-eun ye-jeon-e sal-ass-deon jip-e da-si gass-da., geu sa ram eun ye jeon e sal ass deon jip e da si gass da.
‘았던’ emphasizes the completed past state of living in the house.
Which expression is used for repeated past actions?
Which expression emphasizes completed past experiences?
Fill in the blank: 'The park I often ( ) when I was young still exists.'
Which fits: 'I want to recommend the movie I ( ) yesterday.'
