What does 근데 mean?

근데 (geun-de, geunde)

근데 (geunde) is a common Korean conjunction used to show contrast or transition between sentences.

Korean word 근데 meaning contrast or transition

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

근데(geun-de, geunde)

근데 is a shortened form of '그런데' and is used as a conjunctive adverb to indicate contrast or add new information between sentences.

Nuances

  • Softens sudden topic changes
  • Used to introduce opposing or unexpected info
  • Feels natural and friendly in spoken language
  • Use '그런데' in formal contexts

When to use

Casual conversation, Talking with friends, Business meeting, Topic transition

In context

근데 typically appears at the beginning or middle of a sentence to indicate a shift or contrast from the previous sentence. It is commonly used in spoken Korean; in formal writing, use '그런데' instead.

Real-world examples

  • 나는 피자를 좋아해. 근데 어제는 샐러드를 먹었어.

    na-neun pi-ja-reul joh-a-hae. geun-de eo-je-neun sael-reo-deu-reul meok-eoss-eo., na neun pi ja reul joh a hae. geun de eo je neun sael reo deu reul meok eoss eo.

    근데 naturally connects contrasting information between sentences.

  • 비가 와서 우산을 챙겼어. 근데 밖에 나갔어.

    bi-ga wa-seo u-san-eul chaeng-gyeoss-eo. geun-de bakk-e na-gass-eo., bi ga wa seo u san eul chaeng gyeoss eo. geun de bakk e na gass eo.

    근데 is properly used to show an unexpected action.

  • 오늘은 바빠서 못 가. 근데 내일은 시간이 있어.

    o-neul-eun ba-ppa-seo mos ga. geun-de nae-il-eun si-gan-i iss-eo., o neul eun ba ppa seo mos ga. geun de nae il eun si gan i iss eo.

    근데 smoothly connects time difference in sentences.

  • 나는 공부를 열심히 해. 근데 시험을 잘 봤다.

    na-neun gong-bu-reul yeol-sim-hi hae. geun-de si-heom-eul jal bwass-da., na neun gong bu reul yeol sim hi hae. geun de si heom eul jal bwass da.

    근데 is awkward here because the second sentence is not contrasting.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 근데 mean?

    근데는 무슨 뜻인가요?(geun-de-neunmu-seuntteus-in-ga-yo?, geundeneunmuseuntteusingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses 근데 correctly?

    다음 중 근데를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjunggeun-de-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjunggeundereulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. What should you use instead of 근데 in formal writing?

    격식 있는 글에서는 근데 대신 무엇을 써야 할까요?(gyeok-sikiss-neungeul-e-seo-neungeun-dedae-sinmu-eos-eulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, gyeoksikissneungeuleseoneungeundedaesinmueoseulsseoyahalkkayo?)

More meaning guides

View all meaning guides →