더니 (deo-ni, deoni) · 더라 (deo-ra, deora)
더니 (deoni) connects cause and effect in past experiences, while 더라 (deora) expresses personal recollection or realization from past experiences.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A verb ending used to connect cause and effect based on past experience
When to use
cause and effect link, direct experience narration, explaining behavior change
The nuance
더니 indicates that the action or state in the first clause caused or influenced the second clause. It expresses cause-effect relationships based on the speaker's direct experience.
A verb ending used to recall and convey a past experience or impression
When to use
recollection of past experience, expressing feelings or impressions, subjective realization
The nuance
더라 is used when the speaker recalls and shares a personal experience or impression from the past, often expressing surprise, realization, or subjective feelings.
비가 오더니 길이 미끄러웠다.
bi-ga o-deo-ni gil-i mi-kkeu-reo-woss-da., bi ga o deo ni gil i mi kkeu reo woss da.
'더니' correctly links the cause (rain) and effect (slippery road).
비가 오더라 길이 미끄러웠다.
bi-ga o-deo-ra gil-i mi-kkeu-reo-woss-da., bi ga o deo ra gil i mi kkeu reo woss da.
'더라' is inappropriate here because it does not express cause-effect relation but personal impression.
그 사람은 친절하더니 지금은 무뚝뚝해졌다.
geu sa-ram-eun chin-jeol-ha-deo-ni ji-geum-eun mu-ttuk-ttuk-hae-jyeoss-da., geu sa ram eun chin jeol ha deo ni ji geum eun mu ttuk ttuk hae jyeoss da.
'더니' correctly expresses the change from past kindness to present coldness.
그 사람은 친절하더라 지금은 무뚝뚝해졌다.
geu sa-ram-eun chin-jeol-ha-deo-ra ji-geum-eun mu-ttuk-ttuk-hae-jyeoss-da., geu sa ram eun chin jeol ha deo ra ji geum eun mu ttuk ttuk hae jyeoss da.
'더라' cannot connect cause and effect or changes; use '더니' instead.
어제 본 영화가 정말 재미있더라.
eo-je bon yeong-hwa-ga jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-deo-ra., eo je bon yeong hwa ga jeong mal jae mi iss deo ra.
'더라' properly conveys the speaker's subjective impression of a past experience.
어제 본 영화가 정말 재미있더니.
eo-je bon yeong-hwa-ga jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-deo-ni., eo je bon yeong hwa ga jeong mal jae mi iss deo ni.
'더니' is wrong here because only a subjective impression is expressed, not cause-effect.
그 사람이 먼저 연락하더라 놀랐어.
geu sa-ram-i meon-jeo yeon-rak-ha-deo-ra nol-rass-eo., geu sa ram i meon jeo yeon rak ha deo ra nol rass eo.
'더라' correctly expresses recall of an event and related feeling.
그 사람이 먼저 연락하더니 놀랐어.
geu sa-ram-i meon-jeo yeon-rak-ha-deo-ni nol-rass-eo., geu sa ram i meon jeo yeon rak ha deo ni nol rass eo.
'더니' is inappropriate because surprise is a subjective feeling, not a clear cause-effect link.
Which ending properly expresses a past action leading to a result?
Which ending is used to recall past experience with subjective impression?
What is the role of '더니' in this sentence?
Why is '더라' appropriate in "어제 본 영화가 정말 재미있더라."?
