Understanding –dani in Korean: Expressing Surprise and Emphasis

The Korean grammatical ending -dani (-다니) is a wonderfully expressive tool used to convey a sense of surprise, disbelief, emphasis, or even mild indignation when encountering a fact or situation.

It’s often translated as “to think that…” “the fact that…” or “I can’t believe that…” and it allows speakers to react to information in a very natural and emotionally charged way.

This article will break down -dani, showing you how to use it with verbs, adjectives, and nouns to make your Korean sound more authentic and engaging.

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The Core Function of -dani: Reacting to Information

At its most fundamental level, -dani is about a speaker’s reaction to something they have heard, learned, or observed. It highlights the unexpectedness or significance of that information.

It’s like saying, “Wow, is that true?” or “It’s surprising that…” This ending is particularly common in spoken Korean because it adds a layer of personal feeling to a statement.

Expressing Surprise or Disbelief

This is the most frequent use of -dani. It allows you to express astonishment about a piece of information, whether good or bad. It’s typically used when the information contradicts your expectations or seems extraordinary.

Examples:

1. 그 사람이 거짓말을 했다다니 믿을 수가 없어요.
   • 거짓말을 했다 (told a lie) + 다니
   • Meaning: I can’t believe that person lied. (Surprise/Disbelief)
   • Explanation: The speaker is shocked by the fact that the person lied.
2. 벌써 겨울이 왔다다니 시간이 정말 빠르네요.
   • 겨울이 왔다 (winter came) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think winter has already come, time really flies. (Surprise at speed of time)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised by how quickly winter arrived.
3. 그 어려운 시험에 합격했다다니 정말 대단해요!
   • 합격했다 (passed the exam) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think they passed that difficult exam, that’s truly amazing! (Positive surprise/admiration)
   • Explanation: The speaker is greatly impressed by the achievement.
4. 어제 밤을 새웠다다니 정말 피곤하겠어요.
   • 밤을 새웠다 (stayed up all night) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you stayed up all night, you must be very tired. (Surprise/Concern)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised by the fact and expresses concern.
5. 이렇게 비싼 것을 그냥 줬다다니 정말 인심 좋네요.
   • 그냥 줬다 (just gave it) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think they just gave such an expensive thing, they are truly generous. (Surprise/Admiration)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised by the generosity.
6. 그 식당이 문을 닫았다다니 아쉬워요.
   • 문을 닫았다 (closed its doors) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think that restaurant closed, it’s a pity. (Surprise/Regret)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised and disappointed by the news.
7. 두 사람이 헤어졌다다니 믿기지 않아요.
   • 헤어졌다 (broke up) + 다니
   • Meaning: I can’t believe those two broke up. (Disbelief)
   • Explanation: The speaker finds the news of the breakup hard to accept.
8. 제가 일등을 했다다니 꿈만 같아요!
   • 일등을 했다 (got first place) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think I got first place, it feels like a dream! (Joyful surprise)
   • Explanation: The speaker is happily surprised by their own achievement.

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Conjugating -dani with Different Word Types

The form of -dani changes slightly depending on whether you’re attaching it to a verb, an adjective, or a noun. Let’s look at each case carefully.

1. Verbs: V-는/ㄴ/이다니, V-었/았/였다니

When connecting -dani to verbs, you typically use the declarative statement forms before adding -다니.

• Present Tense Action Verbs: V-는다니
  • (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹는다니, 가다 -> 간다니)
• Present Tense Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives): V-다다니 (This is less common and often implies a factual statement about the adjective)
• Past Tense (Action or Descriptive Verbs): V-었/았/였다다니
  • (e.g., 먹었다 -> 먹었다다니, 예뻤다 -> 예뻤다다니)
• Future Tense/Conjecture (Action or Descriptive Verbs): V-겠다다니 or V-(으)ㄹ 거라다니 (Less common, but possible)
  • (e.g., 가겠다 -> 가겠다다니)

Examples:

1. 매일 운동을 한다니 정말 건강하겠어요. (Action Verb – Present)
   • 운동을 한다 (exercises) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you exercise every day, you must be very healthy.
   • Explanation: Surprise and inference about someone’s health due to their daily exercise.
2. 그 사람이 학생들을 가르친다니 놀랍네요. (Action Verb – Present)
   • 가르친다 (teaches) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think that person teaches students, that’s surprising.
   • Explanation: Expressing surprise that someone, perhaps unexpectedly, is a teacher.
3. 네가 벌써 대학교를 졸업했다다니 시간이 정말 빠르다. (Action Verb – Past)
   • 졸업했다 (graduated) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you already graduated university, time really flies.
   • Explanation: Surprise at the passage of time and the friend’s milestone.
4. 어머니가 아직도 젊어 보이신다다니 신기해요. (Descriptive Verb – Present)
   • 젊어 보이신다 (looks young) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think your mother still looks young, that’s amazing.
   • Explanation: Expressing wonder at someone’s youthful appearance.
5. 그 영화가 그렇게 재미없었다다니 실망이에요. (Descriptive Verb – Past)
   • 재미없었다 (was not fun) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think that movie was so uninteresting, I’m disappointed.
   • Explanation: Disappointment based on an unexpected review of a movie.
6. 내일 시험이 어렵겠다니 걱정돼요. (Conjecture – Future)
   • 어렵겠다 (will be difficult) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think tomorrow’s exam will be difficult, I’m worried.
   • Explanation: Worry prompted by the expectation of a difficult exam.
7. 혼자서 여행을 간다니 용감하네요. (Action Verb – Present)
   • 간다 (goes) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you’re traveling alone, you’re brave.
   • Explanation: Expressing admiration for someone’s courage.
8. 이렇게 많이 먹는다니 배탈 안 나요? (Action Verb – Present)
   • 먹는다 (eats) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you eat so much, don’t you get a stomachache?
   • Explanation: Surprise at the amount of food consumed and concern.

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2. Adjectives: A-다니

For descriptive verbs (adjectives), you generally attach -다니 directly after the plain form of the adjective stem.

• Present Tense Adjectives: A-다다니
  • (e.g., 예쁘다 -> 예쁘다다니, 좋다 -> 좋다다니)
• Past Tense Adjectives: A-었/았/였다다니 (same as verbs)
  • (e.g., 예뻤다 -> 예뻤다다니)

Examples:

1. 이 가방이 이렇게 싸다니 믿을 수 없어요.
   • 싸다 (is cheap) + 다니
   • Meaning: I can’t believe this bag is so cheap. (Surprise at price)
   • Explanation: Expressing disbelief about how inexpensive the bag is.
2. 그 산이 그렇게 높다다니 직접 보고 싶어요.
   • 높다 (is high) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think that mountain is so high, I want to see it in person. (Awe/Curiosity)
   • Explanation: The speaker is impressed by the mountain’s height and wants to experience it.
3. 날씨가 갑자기 이렇게 춥다다니 감기 조심하세요.
   • 춥다 (is cold) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think the weather is suddenly this cold, please be careful not to catch a cold. (Surprise/Concern)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised by the sudden drop in temperature and advises caution.
4. 그렇게 바쁘다다니 쉬는 시간이 있긴 해요?
   • 바쁘다 (is busy) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think you’re so busy, do you even have time to rest? (Empathy/Concern)
   • Explanation: Expressing understanding of someone’s busy schedule and concern for their well-being.
5. 그 식당 음식이 정말 맛있다다니 꼭 가봐야겠어요.
   • 맛있다 (is delicious) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think that restaurant’s food is really delicious, I definitely have to try it. (Positive surprise/Intention)
   • Explanation: The speaker is convinced to visit the restaurant due to the positive review.
6. 이 문제가 이렇게 쉽다다니 생각보다 간단하네요.
   • 쉽다 (is easy) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think this problem is so easy, it’s simpler than I thought. (Mild surprise/Realization)
   • Explanation: The speaker is a little surprised by the simplicity of a task they might have anticipated to be harder.
7. 책 가격이 그렇게 비싸다다니 좀 부담되네요.
   • 비싸다 (is expensive) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think the book price is so expensive, it’s a bit burdensome. (Disappointment/Burden)
   • Explanation: Expressing dismay or financial concern over the high price.
8. 그 영화의 결말이 슬프다다니 보기 싫어요.
   • 슬프다 (is sad) + 다니
   • Meaning: To think the ending of that movie is sad, I don’t want to watch it. (Pre-emptive avoidance/Preference)
   • Explanation: The speaker prefers not to watch the movie because of its sad ending.

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3. Nouns: N-(이)라니

When connecting -dani to nouns, you use -이라니 if the noun ends in a consonant and -라니 if it ends in a vowel. This is equivalent to “to think it’s a Noun…” or “the fact that it’s a Noun…”

Examples:

1. 네가 의사라니 정말 자랑스러워.
   • 의사 (doctor) + 라니
   • Meaning: To think you’re a doctor, I’m really proud. (Pride/Surprise)
   • Explanation: The speaker is proud of the listener’s profession, possibly surprised by the news.
2. 벌써 졸업반이라니 믿을 수 없네요.
   • 졸업반 (graduating class) + 이라니
   • Meaning: To think it’s already the graduating class, I can’t believe it. (Disbelief at passage of time)
   • Explanation: Surprise that so much time has passed and they are already in their final year.
3. 그 사람이 우리 팀의 리더라니 좀 걱정돼요.
   • 리더 (leader) + 라니
   • Meaning: To think that person is our team leader, I’m a bit worried. (Concern/Doubt)
   • Explanation: The speaker expresses concern or doubt about the chosen leader.
4. 이게 다 공짜라니 말도 안 돼요!
   • 공짜 (free) + 라니
   • Meaning: To think all of this is free, that’s unbelievable! (Strong disbelief/Joy)
   • Explanation: Expressing strong surprise and joy that something is free.
5. 네가 요리사라니 몰랐어.
   • 요리사 (chef) + 라니
   • Meaning: To think you’re a chef, I didn’t know. (Simple surprise)
   • Explanation: Expressing mild surprise upon learning someone’s profession.
6. 그가 아직 학생이라니 정말 동안이네요.
   • 학생 (student) + 이라니
   • Meaning: To think he’s still a student, he looks so young for his age. (Surprise at appearance/age)
   • Explanation: The speaker is surprised by someone’s youthful appearance given they are still a student.
7. 이 중요한 회의가 취소라니 무슨 일이죠?
   • 취소 (cancellation) + 라니
   • Meaning: To think this important meeting is cancelled, what’s going on? (Disbelief/Inquiry)
   • Explanation: Surprise and a request for an explanation regarding a significant cancellation.
8. 네가 우리 집 근처에 산다니 정말 우연이네!
   • 산다 (lives) + 니 (This is an example of V-다니 where ‘산다’ is treated as a statement of fact that the speaker reacts to)
   • Meaning: To think you live near my house, what a coincidence! (Surprise at coincidence)
   • Explanation: Expressing surprise at a coincidental discovery of shared proximity.

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Practice Time! Fill in the Blanks with -dani (다니)

Let’s put your knowledge to the test! Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of -dani. Remember to consider the type of word (verb, adjective, noun) and the tense.

Instructions: Fill in the blank with -dani (다니) to complete the sentence naturally, expressing surprise or emphasis.

1. 친구가 마라톤을 완주했다________ 정말 자랑스러워요. (My friend finished a marathon – I’m so proud!)
2. 이 작은 개가 그렇게 크게 짖다________ 놀랐어요. (This small dog barks so loudly – I was surprised!)
3. 그 사람이 사장님________ 전혀 몰랐어요. (That person is the boss – I had no idea!)
4. 오늘이 벌써 금요일________ 믿기지 않아요. (Today is already Friday – I can’t believe it!)
5. 네가 직접 만들었다________ 대단한데요. (You made it yourself – that’s amazing!)
6. 날씨가 갑자기 이렇게 덥다________ 힘드네요. (The weather is suddenly this hot – it’s tough.)
7. 그 배우가 결혼했다________ 팬들이 놀랐겠어요. (That actor got married – the fans must have been surprised.)
8. 이렇게 늦게까지 일한다________ 몸 조심해야 해요. (You work this late – you need to take care of yourself.)
9. 그 이야기가 사실________ 충격적이에요. (That story is true – it’s shocking.)
10. 이 식당 음식이 정말 맛있다________ 소문이 자자해요. (This restaurant’s food is really delicious – the rumors are widespread.)

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Answers to Practice Worksheet

Check your answers here!

1. 친구가 마라톤을 완주했다다니 정말 자랑스러워요.
2. 이 작은 개가 그렇게 크게 짖는다니 놀랐어요. (Or 짖다다니 is also possible in a more informal context)
3. 그 사람이 사장님이라니 전혀 몰랐어요.
4. 오늘이 벌써 금요일이라니 믿기지 않아요.
5. 네가 직접 만들었다다니 대단한데요.
6. 날씨가 갑자기 이렇게 덥다다니 힘드네요.
7. 그 배우가 결혼했다다니 팬들이 놀랐겠어요.
8. 이렇게 늦게까지 일한다니 몸 조심해야 해요.
9. 그 이야기가 사실이라니 충격적이에요.
10. 이 식당 음식이 정말 맛있다다니 소문이 자자해요.

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Conclusion: Use -dani to Add Emotion to Your Korean

The -dani (-다니) ending is a fantastic way to inject emotion, surprise, and emphasis into your Korean conversations. It moves you beyond simply stating facts to reacting to them, which is a crucial step towards sounding more like a native speaker.

Whether you’re astonished, impressed, or a little bit worried, -dani provides a natural way to voice those feelings.

Practicing with different verbs, adjectives, and nouns will help you become comfortable with its various forms and nuances. Don’t shy away from trying it out in your own conversations! The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.

I encourage you to share your thoughts and even some of your own -dani example sentences in the comments. Perhaps you’ve heard it used in a drama or a song in a way that surprised you?

Let’s share your experience and learn from each other! Keep up the excellent work in your Korean studies!