How to use 을/ㄹ 텐데 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 텐데

-(으)ㄹ 텐데 (-(eu)ㄹten-de, (eu)ㄹtende)

-(으)ㄹ 텐데 is used to express speculation or expectation and hint at a following situation.

Explanation of Korean grammar -(으)ㄹ 텐데

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄹ 텐데(-(eu)ㄹten-de, (eu)ㄹtende)

Expresses speculation or expectation about a certain event or situation.

When to use

expressing speculation, hinting at situations, making requests or suggestions

The nuance

Attach '-(으)ㄹ 텐데' to the future tense stem of verbs or adjectives to express speculation. It often introduces a following situation, contrast, or request. Example: 'It will probably rain, so take an umbrella.'

Real-world examples

  • 내일 비가 올 텐데 우산을 꼭 챙겨.

    nae-il bi-ga ol ten-de u-san-eul kkok chaeng-gyeo., nae il bi ga ol ten de u san eul kkok chaeng gyeo.

    Naturally expresses future speculation and related advice.

  • 그 사람이 올 텐데 왜 아직 안 왔지?

    geu sa-ram-i ol ten-de wae a-jik an wass-ji?, geu sa ram i ol ten de wae a jik an wass ji?

    Natural sentence combining speculation and questioning.

  • 너는 바쁠 텐데 도와줘서 고마워.

    neo-neun ba-ppeul ten-de do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo., neo neun ba ppeul ten de do wa jwo seo go ma wo.

    Speculates about the other's situation and expresses gratitude.

  • 내가 돈이 많을 텐데 차를 사겠다.

    nae-ga don-i man-eul ten-de cha-reul sa-gess-da., nae ga don i man eul ten de cha reul sa gess da.

    Unnatural because the speaker speculates about themselves; usually used for others or situations.

  • 시험이 어려울 텐데 열심히 공부해야 해.

    si-heom-i eo-ryeo-ul ten-de yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-hae-ya hae., si heom i eo ryeo ul ten de yeol sim hi gong bu hae ya hae.

    Naturally connects future speculation with advice.

  • 나는 피곤할 텐데 일찍 자야 해.

    na-neun pi-gon-hal ten-de il-jjik ja-ya hae., na neun pi gon hal ten de il jjik ja ya hae.

    Unnatural to speculate about oneself using '-(으)ㄹ 텐데'.

  • 길이 막힐 텐데 조금 일찍 출발하자.

    gil-i mak-hil ten-de jo-geum il-jjik chul-bal-ha-ja., gil i mak hil ten de jo geum il jjik chul bal ha ja.

    Naturally connects speculation with suggestion.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄹ 텐데?

    -(으)ㄹ 텐데의 용법으로 옳은 문장은?(-(eu)ㄹten-de-uiyong-beop-eu-rool-eunmun-jang-eun?, (eu)ㄹtendeuiyongbeopeurooleunmunjangeun?)
  2. When is it incorrect to use -(으)ㄹ 텐데?

    다음 중 -(으)ㄹ 텐데를 사용할 수 없는 경우는?(da-eumjung-(eu)ㄹten-de-reulsa-yong-halsueop-neungyeong-u-neun?, daeumjung(eu)ㄹtendereulsayonghalsueopneungyeonguneun?)
  3. Which sentence is incorrect?

    다음 문장 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eummun-jangjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeummunjangjungteulrinmunjangeun?)

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