📝 Grammar B1

-는데

-neunde

Background / contrast connector

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What it means

-는데 sets up background information or context and also expresses mild contrast. Verbs use -는데; adjectives use -(으)ㄴ데; nouns+이다 use -인데.

Nuance & when to use

-는데 is one of the most nuanced connectors in Korean. It can soften a statement, set context, or trail off implying a follow-up: 저 배고픈데… (I'm hungry…) implies can we eat? without stating it.

⚠ Common mistake

Using -는데 with adjective stems (예쁜는데 — wrong) instead of -(으)ㄴ데 (예쁜데 — correct). For verbs: 가는데. For adjectives: 예쁜데.

Example sentences

지금 밥을 먹고 있는데 나중에 전화할게요. Jigeum babeul meokgo inneunde najunge jeonhwahalkkeyo. I'm eating right now, so I'll call you later.
이 영화 봤는데 정말 재미있어요. I yeonghwa bwanneunde jeongmal jaemiisseoyo. I've seen this movie, and it's really interesting.
학교까지 가는 길을 아는데 같이 갈까요? Hakgyokkaji ganeun gireul aneunde gachi galkayo? I know the way to school — shall we go together?
오늘 좀 피곤한데 일찍 자야겠어요. Oneul jom pigonhande iljjik jayagetsseoyo. I'm a bit tired today, so I should go to bed early.

See also

-지만 -아서/어서 맥락 표현 배경절
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More B1 lessons

덕분에 deokbune Thanks to / Because of (positive) 씨름 ssireum Korean traditional wrestling 존댓말 jondaemal formal/polite speech level in Korean
← -는 것 같다 -아/어 있다 →

FAQ

When is this used?

-는데 is one of the most nuanced connectors in Korean. It can soften a statement, set context, or trail off implying a follow-up: 저 배고픈데… (I'm hungry…) implies can we eat? without stating it.

What's a common mistake?

Using -는데 with adjective stems (예쁜는데 — wrong) instead of -(으)ㄴ데 (예쁜데 — correct). For verbs: 가는데. For adjectives: 예쁜데.

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