How to Use –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) in Korean to Add Context or Background

The Korean grammatical ending –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) is a remarkably versatile and frequently used connector that adds context, background, or a subtle nuance of contrast or expectation to your sentences.

It’s not always directly translatable into a single English word or phrase, but it often functions like “but,” “and,” “so,” “however,” “therefore,” or “while,” depending on the situation. Essentially, it links two clauses where the first provides background information, a condition, or a reason for the second.

This guide will focus on the practical application of –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) to help you understand when and how to use it effectively, making your Korean sound more natural and cohesive.

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The Core Function of –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde): Setting the Scene

At its heart, –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) sets up the situation for what follows. It tells the listener, “Here’s some information, and what I’m about to say next relates to it.” This relationship can be one of:

1. Contrast: “It’s cold, but I’m going out.”
2. Reason/Cause: “I’m busy, so I can’t meet.”
3. Background/Setting: “I was studying, and then my friend called.”
4. Mild Question/Request: “It’s cold, so what should we do?” (often implies seeking an opinion or suggestion)
5. Introducing a topic: “Regarding the problem…”

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Conjugating –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde)

The form of this ending depends on the type of word it attaches to (verb, adjective, or noun) and whether it’s present or past tense.

1. Verbs (Action Verbs): -는데 (-neunde)

For action verbs in the present tense, you always use -는데 (-neunde) after the verb stem.

Examples:

1. 지금 밥을 먹는데 (meongneunde) 전화가 왔어요 (jeonhwaga wasseoyo).
   • 먹다 (meokda – to eat) -> 먹는데 (meongneunde)
   • Meaning: I was eating, and then a call came.
   • Explanation: Provides background (eating) for the subsequent event (call).
2. 밖에서 비가 오는데 (onuenunde) 나갈까요 (nagalkkayo)?
   • 오다 (oda – to come/rain) -> 오는데 (onuenunde)
   • Meaning: It’s raining outside, so shall we go out? (Implies asking for advice despite the rain)
   • Explanation: Sets the context of rain, then asks a question related to it.
3. 저는 지금 회사에 가는데 (ganeunde) 어디 가세요 (eodi gaseyo)?
   • 가다 (gada – to go) -> 가는데 (ganeunde)
   • Meaning: I’m going to work now, so where are you going?
   • Explanation: Offers information about one’s own action, then asks about the listener’s.
4. 제가 도와줄 수 있는데 (inneunde) 뭐가 필요하세요 (mwoga piryohaseyo)?
   • 있다 (itda – to exist/have) -> 있는데 (inneunde)
   • Meaning: I can help, so what do you need?
   • Explanation: States a capability, then offers assistance.
5. 친구를 기다리는데 (gidarineunde) 아직 안 왔어요 (ajik an wasseoyo).
   • 기다리다 (gidarida – to wait) -> 기다리는데 (gidarineunde)
   • Meaning: I’m waiting for a friend, but they haven’t come yet.
   • Explanation: Shows a contrast between waiting and the friend’s absence.
6. 책을 읽는데 (ilgeunde) 너무 졸려요 (neomu jollyeoyo).
   • 읽다 (ikda – to read) -> 읽는데 (ilgeunde)
   • Meaning: I’m reading, but I’m so sleepy.
   • Explanation: The act of reading is happening, but a contrasting state (sleepiness) occurs.
7. 내일 시험이 있는데 (inneunde) 같이 공부할래요 (gachi gongbuhallae)?
   • 있다 (itda – to exist/have) -> 있는데 (inneunde)
   • Meaning: I have an exam tomorrow, so do you want to study together?
   • Explanation: Provides a reason (exam) for the suggestion.
8. 제가 숙제를 끝냈는데 (kkeutnaenneunde) 확인해 주실 수 있어요 (hwaginhae jusil su isseoyo)?
   • 끝내다 (kkeutnaeda – to finish) -> 끝냈는데 (kkeutnaenneunde – past tense)
   • Meaning: I finished my homework, so can you check it for me?
   • Explanation: States a completed action as background for a request.

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2. Adjectives (Descriptive Verbs): -ㄴ/은데 (-n/eunde)

For adjectives in the present tense, the form depends on whether the adjective stem ends in a consonant or a vowel:

• Vowel Ending: Add -ㄴ데 (-nde)
  • (e.g., 예쁘다 (yeppeuda – pretty) -> 예쁜데 (yeppeunde))
  • (e.g., 바쁘다 (bappeuda – busy) -> 바쁜데 (bappeunde))
• Consonant Ending: Add -은데 (-eunde)
  • (e.g., 좋다 (jota – good) -> 좋은데 (joeunde))
  • (e.g., 많다 (manta – many) -> 많은데 (maneunde))

Examples:

1. 이 옷이 예쁜데 (yeppeunde) 좀 비싸요 (jom bissayo).
   • 예쁘다 (yeppeuda – pretty) -> 예쁜데 (yeppeunde)
   • Meaning: These clothes are pretty, but they’re a bit expensive.
   • Explanation: Contrasts a positive quality (pretty) with a negative one (expensive).
2. 날씨가 좋은데 (joeunde) 산책 갈까요 (sanchaek galkkayo)?
   • 좋다 (jota – good) -> 좋은데 (joeunde)
   • Meaning: The weather is good, so shall we go for a walk?
   • Explanation: Uses the good weather as a reason for a suggestion.
3. 제가 지금 바쁜데 (bappeunde) 나중에 얘기할 수 있어요 (najunge yaegihal su isseoyo)?
   • 바쁘다 (bappeuda – busy) -> 바쁜데 (bappeunde)
   • Meaning: I’m busy right now, so can we talk later?
   • Explanation: States a current condition (busy) as a reason for a request.
4. 여기가 조용한데 (joyonghande) 책 읽기 좋네요 (chaek ilkgi jonneyo).
   • 조용하다 (joyonghada – quiet) -> 조용한데 (joyonghande)
   • Meaning: It’s quiet here, so it’s good for reading a book.
   • Explanation: Uses the quietness as a positive background for reading.
5. 그 영화가 정말 재미있었는데 (jaemiisseonneunde) 다시 볼까요 (dasi bolkkayo)?
   • 재미있다 (jaemiitda – interesting) -> 재미있었는데 (jaemiisseonneunde – past tense)
   • Meaning: That movie was really interesting, so shall we watch it again?
   • Explanation: Recalls a past positive experience as a reason for repetition.
6. 음식이 매운데 (maeunde) 괜찮으세요 (gwaenchaneuseyo)?
   • 맵다 (maepda – spicy) -> 매운데 (maeunde)
   • Meaning: The food is spicy, so are you okay?
   • Explanation: Expresses concern or checks on the listener given a characteristic of the food.
7. 그 식당 음식이 맛있는데 (masinneunde) 사람이 너무 많아요 (sarami neomu manayo).
   • 맛있다 (masitda – delicious) -> 맛있는데 (masinneunde)
   • Meaning: That restaurant’s food is delicious, but there are too many people.
   • Explanation: Contrasts a positive (delicious food) with a negative (too many people).
8. 숙제가 어려웠는데 (eoryeowonneunde) 결국 다 했어요 (gyeolguk da haesseoyo).
   • 어렵다 (eoryeopda – difficult) -> 어려웠는데 (eoryeowonneunde – past tense)
   • Meaning: The homework was difficult, but I eventually finished it all.
   • Explanation: Shows a contrast between the difficulty and the eventual completion.

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3. Nouns: -(이)ㄴ데 (-(i)nde)

For nouns in the present tense, you use -인데 (-inde) if the noun ends in a consonant and -ㄴ데 (-nde) if it ends in a vowel. This literally means “it is a Noun, but/so/and…”

• Consonant Ending: Add -인데 (-inde)
  • (e.g., 학생 (haksaeng – student) -> 학생인데 (haksaenginde))
  • (e.g., 책 (chaek – book) -> 책인데 (chaeginde))
• Vowel Ending: Add -ㄴ데 (-nde)
  • (e.g., 의사 (uisa – doctor) -> 의사인데 (uisande))
  • (e.g., 친구 (chingu – friend) -> 친구인데 (chingunde))

Examples:

1. 저는 학생인데 (haksaenginde) 주말에는 아르바이트를 해요 (jumareneun areubaiteureul haeyo).
   • 학생 (haksaeng – student) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: I’m a student, but I do a part-time job on weekends.
   • Explanation: Contrasts one’s status (student) with an additional activity.
2. 여기는 제 친구 집인데 (chinggujibinde) 구경할래요 (gugyeonghallae)?
   • 친구 집 (chingu jib – friend’s house) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: This is my friend’s house, so would you like to look around?
   • Explanation: States a fact (it’s a friend’s house) as an invitation.
3. 오늘은 제 생일인데 (saengilinde) 뭐 하고 싶으세요 (mwo hago sipeuseyo)?
   • 생일 (saengil – birthday) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: Today is my birthday, so what would you like to do?
   • Explanation: Provides background (birthday) as a reason to ask for preferences.
4. 이것은 선물인데 (seonmurinde) 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요 (maeume deusyeosseumyeon jokgesseoyo).
   • 선물 (seonmul – gift) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: This is a gift, so I hope you like it.
   • Explanation: Identifies an item as a gift, then expresses a hope related to it.
5. 내일은 휴일인데 (hyuirinde) 같이 영화 볼까요 (gachi yeonghwa bolkkayo)?
   • 휴일 (hyuil – holiday) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: Tomorrow is a holiday, so shall we watch a movie together?
   • Explanation: Uses the holiday as a reason for a suggestion.
6. 그 사람은 좋은 사람인데 (joeun saraminde) 가끔 거짓말을 해요 (gakkeum geojitmareul haeyo).
   • 좋은 사람 (joeun saram – good person) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: That person is a good person, but sometimes tells lies.
   • Explanation: Contrasts a general positive quality with a specific negative habit.
7. 이건 제 가방인데 (gabanginde) 어디에 두어야 할까요 (eodie dueoya halkkayo)?
   • 가방 (gabang – bag) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: This is my bag, so where should I put it?
   • Explanation: States ownership and then asks for advice.
8. 그분은 선생님인데 (seonsaengniminde) 정말 친절하세요 (jeongmal chinjeolhaseyo).
   • 선생님 (seonsaengnim – teacher) + 인데 (inde)
   • Meaning: That person is a teacher, and they are very kind.
   • Explanation: States a profession and then describes a characteristic.

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Practice Time! Using –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde)

Now, it’s your turn! Complete the following sentences using the correct form of –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde).

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) based on the preceding verb, adjective, or noun.

1. 지금 숙제를 하________ (hada – to do), 잠시만 기다려 주세요 (jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo). (I’m doing homework right now, please wait a moment.)
2. 오늘 날씨가 춥________ (chupda – cold), 따뜻하게 입으세요 (ttatteuthage ibeuseyo). (Today’s weather is cold, so dress warmly.)
3. 제가 한국 사람________ (hanguk saram – Korean person), 한국어를 가르쳐 줄 수 있어요 (hangukoreul gareuchyeo jul su isseoyo). (I’m Korean, so I can teach you Korean.)
4. 배가 고프________ (gopeuda – hungry), 뭐 좀 먹을까요 (mwo jom meogeulkkayo)? (I’m hungry, so shall we eat something?)
5. 친구와 영화를 봤________ (boda – to see/watch, past tense), 재미있었어요 (jaemiisseosseoyo). (I watched a movie with a friend, and it was fun.)
6. 이 식당 음식이 비싸________ (bissada – expensive), 그래도 맛있어요 (geuraedo masisseoyo). (This restaurant’s food is expensive, but it’s still delicious.)
7. 여기는 도서관________ (doseogwan – library), 조용히 해 주세요 (joyonghi hae juseyo). (This is a library, so please be quiet.)
8. 피곤하________ (pigonhada – tired), 집에 가서 쉬고 싶어요 (jibe gaseo swigo sipeoyo). (I’m tired, so I want to go home and rest.)
9. 주말에 할 일이 많________ (manta – many), 언제 만날까요 (eonje mannal kkayo)? (I have a lot to do on the weekend, so when shall we meet?)
10. 이 책은 제가 제일 좋아하는 책________ (chaek – book), 꼭 읽어보세요 (kkok ilgeoboseyo). (This is my favorite book, so definitely try reading it.)

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Answers to Practice Worksheet

No peeking until you’ve tried them all!

1. 지금 숙제를 하는데 (haneunde), 잠시만 기다려 주세요 (jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo).
2. 오늘 날씨가 춥는데 (chupneunde), 따뜻하게 입으세요 (ttatteuthage ibeuseyo). (Note: For adjectives ending in a consonant, it’s -은데, but for 춥다, the ‘ㅂ’ changes to ‘우’ when followed by a vowel, so it becomes 추운데 (chuunde). However, with -는데, it stays 춥는데. Both are colloquially used, but 추운데 is the grammatically regular form for adjectives with ㅂ irregulars). Let’s stick with the most common and regular application: 춥은데 (chupeunde) if it were a regular consonant. For ㅂ irregulars like 춥다, it’s 추운데 (chuunde). So, let’s use 추운데 here.
3. 제가 한국 사람인데 (hanguk saraminde), 한국어를 가르쳐 줄 수 있어요 (hangukoreul gareuchyeo jul su isseoyo).
4. 배가 고프ㄴ데 (gopeunde), 뭐 좀 먹을까요 (mwo jom meogeulkkayo)?
5. 친구와 영화를 봤는데 (bwanneunde), 재미있었어요 (jaemiisseosseoyo).
6. 이 식당 음식이 비싸ㄴ데 (bissande), 그래도 맛있어요 (geuraedo masisseoyo).
7. 여기는 도서관인데 (doseogwaninde), 조용히 해 주세요 (joyonghi hae juseyo).
8. 피곤하ㄴ데 (pigonhande), 집에 가서 쉬고 싶어요 (jibe gaseo swigo sipeoyo).
9. 주말에 할 일이 많은데 (maneunde), 언제 만날까요 (eonje mannal kkayo)?
10. 이 책은 제가 제일 좋아하는 책인데 (chaeginde), 꼭 읽어보세요 (kkok ilgeoboseyo).

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Lets Use –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) to Connect and Clarify

The –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) ending is a powerful tool for making your Korean sound more natural and sophisticated. It allows you to elegantly connect ideas, provide essential background, or subtly introduce a contrast or a question. By mastering its conjugation and various functions, you’ll be able to express yourself with greater nuance and clarity.

Don’t be overwhelmed by its many possible translations in English. Instead, focus on its core function: setting the scene for what comes next.

Listen for it in conversations, dramas, and songs, and try to incorporate it into your own speaking and writing. The more you use it, the more intuitive it will become.

Let’s share your experience! What’s a sentence where you find yourself often wanting to provide some context before making a statement or asking a question?

Try constructing it using –ㄴ/은/는데 (-n/eun/neunde) in the comments below! Keep up the fantastic work in your Korean language studies!