Pattern: -(으)ㄴ데
-(으)ㄴ데 (-(eu)ㄴde, (eu)ㄴde)
-(으)ㄴ데 connects sentences to show contrast, background, or additional info in Korean.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
A verb ending used to connect sentences showing contrast, background, or additional information.
When to use
background explanation, contrast expression, additional information
The nuance
Attach '-는데' to the past tense stem of verbs/adjectives: use '-은데' if stem ends with a consonant, '-ㄴ데' if it ends with a vowel. It connects background or contrast between two sentences.
저는 어제 영화를 봤는데 정말 재미있었어요.
jeo-neun eo-je yeong-hwa-reul bwass-neun-de jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-eoss-eo-yo., jeo neun eo je yeong hwa reul bwass neun de jeong mal jae mi iss eoss eo yo.
'-봤는데' explains the background and smoothly connects with the next sentence.
비가 오는데 우산을 안 가져왔어요.
bi-ga o-neun-de u-san-eul an ga-jyeo-wass-eo-yo., bi ga o neun de u san eul an ga jyeo wass eo yo.
'-는데' is correctly used to express contrast.
그 사람은 키가 큰데 운동을 잘해요.
geu sa-ram-eun ki-ga keun-de un-dong-eul jal-hae-yo., geu sa ram eun ki ga keun de un dong eul jal hae yo.
Connects two facts to provide additional information.
어제는 바빴는데 오늘은 시간이 있어요.
eo-je-neun ba-ppass-neun-de o-neul-eun si-gan-i iss-eo-yo., eo je neun ba ppass neun de o neul eun si gan i iss eo yo.
Uses '-는데' to contrast time situations.
밥을 먹었는데 배가 고파요.
bap-eul meok-eoss-neun-de bae-ga go-pa-yo., bap eul meok eoss neun de bae ga go pa yo.
Shows contrast between two situations.
학교에 갔는데 친구가 없었어요.
hak-gyo-e gass-neun-de chin-gu-ga eop-eoss-eo-yo., hak gyo e gass neun de chin gu ga eop eoss eo yo.
Connects situation explanation and its result.
책을 읽었는데 이해가 안 돼요.
chaek-eul ik-eoss-neun-de i-hae-ga an dwae-yo., chaek eul ik eoss neun de i hae ga an dwae yo.
Uses '-는데' to contrast cause and effect.
저는 학생인데 선생님이에요.
jeo-neun hak-saeng-in-de seon-saeng-nim-i-e-yo., jeo neun hak saeng in de seon saeng nim i e yo.
'-는데' attaches to past tense verbs; here '인데' should be used after a noun.
Which sentence correctly uses '-는데'?
What form does '-는데' attach to?
Find the mistake in: "저는 학생인데 선생님이에요."
