TOPIK 2Connectors

-는데/(으)ㄴ데

Background/Contrast -는데/(으)ㄴ데

Provides background information or soft contrast

Description

-는데/(으)ㄴ데 is versatile: it sets up background/context, shows soft contrast, or leads into a question/request. Use -는데 for action verbs, -(으)ㄴ데 for adjectives and past.

Usage

Very common in spoken Korean. Sets context before making a statement, question, or request. Less direct contrast than -지만.

Formation Rules

  • 1Action verb stem + 는데
  • 2Adjective stem + (으)ㄴ데
  • 3Past: stem + 았/었는데
  • 4Noun + 인데

Tips

  • 💡Often left hanging to imply a question/request
  • 💡Softer than -지만 for contrast
  • 💡Very natural in conversation for background info

Example Sentences

배가 고픈데 뭐 먹을까요?

Baega gopeunde mwo meogeulkkayo?

I'm hungry, so what should we eat?

죄송한데 잠깐 도와주실 수 있어요?

Joesonghande jamkkan dowajusil su isseoyo?

Sorry, but could you help me for a moment?

어제 영화를 봤는데 재미있었어요.

Eoje yeonghwareul bwanneunde jaemiisseosseoyo.

I watched a movie yesterday, and it was interesting.

Related Patterns

-지만TOPIK 1

Contrast Connector -지만 (but, however)

-아서/어서TOPIK 1

Reason/Sequence -아서/어서 (because, so, and then)

-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹTOPIK 2

Noun Modifiers -(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ

Practice "-는데/(으)ㄴ데" in the MyTOPIK App

Get instant AI feedback and detailed explanations.

App StoreGoogle Play