2 · Linking clauses, first steps
Background and contrast: -는데
the background connective
-는데 lays down the background for what follows — a situation, a contrast, or a softened request.
Which form you use depends on the kind of word, not on the last sound. Action verbs, and 있다 and 없다 with all their compounds, take -는데: 가는데, 먹는데, 맛있는데. Descriptive verbs take -은데, or just an n after a vowel: 작은데, 비싼데. A noun with 이다 gives 인데: 학생인데, 친구인데. In the past every word takes -았/었는데: 갔는데, 추웠는데, 학생이었는데. Stems in l lose it: 사는데, 먼데.
The main use is background: the first clause sets the scene and the second makes the point. 지금 마트에 가는데 뭐 필요한 거 있어요?, “I am going to the shop now — do you need anything?”. English renders it with “and”, “so”, a dash, or nothing at all.
It can also connect two facts that contrast, more softly than -지만: 이 식당은 비싼데 맛은 별로예요, “this restaurant is expensive, but the food is not great”. -는데 lays the facts side by side and lets the listener feel the contrast.
At the end of a sentence -는데요 softens and holds something back: 저는 괜찮은데요, “I am fine, though”. On the phone it introduces the caller: 저 지수인데요. The usual mistake is choosing by the final sound of the stem, when the question is whether the word describes or acts.
The form
| action verbs, 있다 and 없다 | 가는데, 먹는데, 맛있는데 |
| adjectives after a vowel | 비싸다 → 비싼데 |
| adjectives after a consonant | 작다 → 작은데 |
| with a noun and 이다 | 학생인데, 친구인데 |
| the past, for every word | 갔는데, 추웠는데 |
| at the end of a sentence | 괜찮은데요 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
Action verbs and 있다/없다 take -는데.
지금 운전하는데 이따가 전화할게요.I am driving now, so I will ring you later.
Descriptive verbs take -은데 (비싼데 after a vowel), and 이다 becomes 인데.
이 가방은 좀 작은데 더 큰 거 있어요?This bag is a bit small — do you have a bigger one?
In the past, every word takes -았/었는데.
어제 그 영화를 봤는데 정말 재미있었어요.I saw that film yesterday, and it was really good.
-는데 can contrast two facts more softly than -지만.
형은 운동을 잘하는데 저는 못해요.My older brother is good at sport, but I am not.
At the end of a sentence, -는데요 softens it and invites a reply.
저는 괜찮은데요.I am fine, though.
A closer look
One ending, several translations
English has to decide whether two clauses are linked by “and”, “but” or “so”. -는데 does not decide: it only says that the first clause is background for the second, and the listener works out the relation from what is said. That is why it is so frequent in conversation, and why it sounds gentler than -지만 or -아서.
At the start of a sentence, 그런데 — in speech 근데 — carries the same idea: “but”, or “by the way” when it changes the subject. 그런데 저녁은 먹었어요?
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the word is 있다 or 없다, or a compound with them such as 맛있다 or 재미없다
it takes -는데, even though it describes: 맛있는데, 재미없는데.
이 집 떡볶이가 맛있는데 한번 먹어 보세요.The tteokbokki here is delicious — give it a try.
있다 and 없다 behave like action verbs before every ending of this family, as in 맛있는 음식.
How to spot it
- -는데
- -(으)ㄴ데
- 인데
- -았/었는데
- 그런데
Example sentences
날씨가 좋은데 산책하러 갈까요?The weather is nice — shall we go for a walk?
내일이 친구 생일인데 선물을 아직 못 샀어요.Tomorrow is my friend's birthday, and I have not bought a present yet.
이 옷은 예쁜데 좀 비싸요.These clothes are pretty, but a bit expensive.
지금 은행에 가는데 같이 갈래요?I am going to the bank now — do you want to come along?
어제 그 식당에 갔는데 사람이 너무 많았어요.I went to that restaurant yesterday, and it was packed.
여보세요, 저 지수인데요. 지금 통화 괜찮아요?Hello, it is Jisu. Is now a good time to talk?
8 more example sentences
밖에 비가 오는데 우산 있어요?It is raining outside — do you have an umbrella?
저는 학생인데 할인이 돼요?I am a student — is there a discount?
배가 고픈데 뭐 좀 먹을까요?I am hungry — shall we get something to eat?
어제는 추웠는데 오늘은 따뜻하네요.It was cold yesterday, but today it is warm.
한국어를 배우는데 발음이 어려워요.I am learning Korean, and the pronunciation is hard.
그 사람 이름은 아는데 얼굴은 몰라요.I know that person's name, but I do not know what they look like.
이거 제가 만든 케이크인데 드셔 보세요.This is a cake I made — do try some.
지금 회의 중인데 나중에 다시 전화해 주세요.I am in a meeting now, so please ring back later.
Worth knowing (1)
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A gentle no: -는데요
Ending a sentence with -는데요 leaves something unsaid, and Koreans use it to decline without saying no. 그날은 좀 어려운데요 is literally “that day is a bit difficult …”, and everybody understands the rest.
죄송하지만 그날은 좀 어려운데요.Sorry, but that day is a bit difficult for me.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
넓다 describes, so it takes -은데. -는데 belongs to action verbs and to 있다 and 없다. The choice depends on the kind of word, not on whether the stem ends in a consonant.
Verbs take -neunde, adjectives -(eu)nde, and in the past every word takes -atneunde or -eotneunde.
Your turn
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