LEARN + KOREAN / 92 of 125 TOPIK II
You See, Oh I See -거든요
a
A friend wonders why you skipped lunch. You explain that you already ate. They respond with a small realisation. -거든요 supplies background they may be missing; -구나 marks something becoming clear.
Give the Missing Explanation
Attach -거든요 to a verb or adjective stem, or -(이)거든요 to a noun. Past forms are possible: 먹었거든요. At the end of a turn it often explains a previous remark or answers an implied why-question.
jeoneun jogeum itta meogeulgeyo. akka gansigeul meogeotgeodeunyo.
I’ll eat a little later. I had a snack earlier, you see.
naeireun mot gayo. siheomi itgeodeunyo.
I can’t go tomorrow. I have an exam, you see.
React With a Realisation
Present action verbs take -는구나: 잘하는구나, 먹는구나. Adjectives take -구나: 맵구나, 좋구나. Nouns take -(이)구나. Past forms use -았/었구나. The polite counterpart is -(는)군요, though it can sound more reflective or formal than -네요.
yorireul jeongmal jalhaneungunyo.
Oh, you’re really good at cooking.
saenggakboda maepgunyo.
Oh, it’s spicier than I expected.
Hint · 힌트
Compare -잖아요: it appeals to something the listener can recognise or be reminded of. -거든요 often fills in a reason they did not know. Repeated explanations with a sharp tone can sound defensive.
Vocabulary
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
itta | a little later |
akka | earlier |
gansik | snack |
siheom | exam |
maepda | to be spicy |
iyu | reason |
eumsik | food |
yori | cooking |
jaeryo | ingredients |
chaeso | vegetables |
gogi | meat |
bap | cooked rice or meal |
guk | soup |
ppang | bread |
uyu | milk |
mul | water |
eumnyosu | drink |
gwail | fruit |
sagwa | apple |
sogeum | salt |
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