LEARN + KOREAN / 56 of 125 TOPIK I
Setting the Scene -는데
a
You’re about to make a suggestion, but first explain the situation: 시간이 없는데 택시를 탈까요? -는데/-은데/-ㄴ데 gives the listener context before the main point. Depending on the sentence, it can set up a question, contrast, or next move.
biga oneunde taeksireul talkkayo?
It's raining; shall we take a taxi?
nalssiga joeunde sane galkkayo?
The weather is nice; shall we go to the mountain?
Hint · 힌트
Adjectives use their own endings: 싸다 → 싼데, 좋다 → 좋은데. Action verbs use -는데 regardless of the stem ending: 가다 → 가는데, 먹다 → 먹는데. 있다 and 없다 also take -는데.
meoriga jogeum apeunde yagi isseoyo?
My head hurts a little; do you have any medicine?
In Real Life
In real life, -는데 is a useful way to make a request feel less abrupt: state the situation first, then let the listener infer what you need. 머리가 아픈데요… (“My head hurts…”) can be a gentle opening before asking for medicine or help.
Vocabulary
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
meori | head |
apeuda | to hurt; be sick |
yak | medicine |
taeksi | taxi |
hoksi | by any chance |
baegyeong | background, context |
geongang | health |
mom | body |
gibun | mood |
gamgi | cold illness |
jeungsang | symptom |
mok | throat or neck |
bae | stomach |
natda | to recover |
byeongwon | hospital or clinic |
uisa | doctor |
chiryo | treatment |
swida | to rest |
jam | sleep |
jameul jada | to sleep |
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