Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 21: Background Info / But (-는데 / -(으)ㄴ데)

This is one of the most common and versatile grammar structures in Korean. You will hear it constantly in daily conversation!

-는데 or -(으)ㄴ데 is attached to verbs and adjectives to link two sentences together. It has two main functions: 1. Providing background information: "I am doing X... (and so...)" 2. Saying "But": "X is true... but Y is true."

How to Conjugate

1. Action Verbs: Add -는데 * 가다 (to go) -> 가는데 * 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹는데 * 있다 / 없다 (to exist/not exist) -> 있는/없는 -> 있는데 / 없는데

2. Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives): Add -(으)ㄴ데 * 크다 (big) -> 크 + ㄴ데 = 큰데 * 작다 (small) -> 작 + 은데 = 작은데

3. Nouns (이다 / 아니다): Add -인데 * 학생 (student) -> 학생인데 * 아니다 (not) -> 아닌데

4. Past Tense: Add -았/었/였 + 는데 * 가다 -> 갔 -> 갔는데 * 먹다 -> 먹었 -> 먹었는데 * 예쁘다 -> 예뻤 -> 예뻤는데 (Notice that even for adjectives, if it's past tense, you use -는데!)

Usage 1: Providing Background Information

You use this when the first clause sets the scene for the second clause.

• 내일 친구 생일인데, 선물을 아직 안 샀어요. (Tomorrow is my friend's birthday [background info], so I haven't bought a gift yet.)
• 지금 밥을 먹는데, 나중에 전화할까요? (I am eating right now [setting the scene], shall I call you later?)

Usage 2: "But" or Contrast

You use this when the second clause contrasts with the first clause. It is softer and more conversational than 하지만.

• 이 옷은 예쁜데, 너무 비싸요. (This clothes is pretty, but it is too expensive.)
• 많이 먹었는데, 아직 배가 고파요. (I ate a lot, but I am still hungry.)

Ending a sentence with -는데(요)

Sometimes Koreans end their sentences with -는데요. This means they are leaving the sentence open, expecting the listener to respond or react to the background information they just provided. * A: 오늘 시간 있어요? (Do you have time today?) B: 오늘 바쁜데요... (I'm busy today... [so what did you want to ask?])