Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #27
Korean speakers often give a little background before a question, request, or contrasting fact. -(으)ㄴ데/(으)는데 connects that background smoothly.
What Does A/V-(으)ㄴ데/(으)는데 Mean?
Use this ending to set up a situation, show a mild contrast, or prepare for the next statement. It can feel like “and,” “but,” “so,” or “you see,” depending on context.
The Rule
Present action verbs take -는데: 가다 → 가는데, 먹다 → 먹는데. Descriptive verbs take -(으)ㄴ데: 작다 → 작은데, 크다 → 큰데. 있다 and 없다 take -는데: 있는데, 없는데. 하다 descriptive forms become 한데: 조용하다 → 조용한데.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 찾다 | to look for |
| 가다 | to go |
| 먹다 | to eat |
| 작다 | to be small |
| 크다 | to be big |
| 조용하다 | to be quiet |
| 있다 | to exist/have |
| 없다 | to not exist/have |
Korean Grammar Examples
한국어를 배우는데 발음이 어려워요.
I am learning Korean, and pronunciation is difficult.
방은 작은데 깨끗해요.
The room is small, but it is clean.
지금 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
It is raining, but I do not have an umbrella.
질문이 있는데 물어봐도 돼요?
I have a question; may I ask it?
이 식당은 조용한데 음식도 맛있어요.
This restaurant is quiet, and the food is good too.
A Short Dialogue
A: 실례합니다. 지갑을 찾는데 혹시 보셨어요? — Excuse me. I’m looking for my wallet; have you seen it?
B: 아니요, 못 봤어요. 무슨 색인데요? — No, I haven’t. What color is it?
A: 검은색인데 작아요. — It is black and small.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Choose the form by whether the stem is an action or a description, not simply by its final sound. 먹다 is an action, so 먹는데; 작다 is descriptive and ends in a consonant, so 작은데. 있다/없다 are important exceptions in the beginner rule and use 있는데/없는데.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Choose the correct connector: ① 책을 읽다 → 읽__ ② 방이 크다 → 큰__ ③ 시간이 없다 → 없__ ④ 학교에 가다 → 가__.
Answers and Explanation
① 읽는데 ② 큰데 ③ 없는데 ④ 가는데. Now complete one result or question after each form so that the background has a purpose.
Try It in Your Own Life
Write two original sentences with A/V-(으)ㄴ데/(으)는데 about your real schedule, plans, travel, food, or Korean study. Read them aloud, then change one word or time expression and say them again. This turns the pattern into language you can use instead of a sentence you only recognize.
Previous lesson · Next lesson · Beginner grammar: study guide and lesson index