Example Sentences#

1. 하린: 아직 별다른 건 없는데…¹
   Harin: Nothing in particular yet…

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.

2. 그런데 나는 기쁠 때 으르렁거리고, 화가 나면 꼬리를 흔들어.²
   But I growl when I’m happy, and I wag my tail when I’m angry.

   • 그런데 is a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

3. 근데 간신히 도착했더니 비까지 오고, 줄도 정말 길고 입구 찾기도 힘들었어.³
   But when I finally managed to get there, it even started raining, the line was super long, and even finding the entrance was hard.

   • 근데 is a casual contraction of 그런데, a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

4. 큰 사건도 없는데, 사람들 이야기가 너무 진짜 같고, 그래서 더 감동적이었어.⁴
   Even though there’s no big event, the people’s stories seem so real, so it was more touching.

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’ or ‘there is no’.
   • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

5. 그런데 왜 그렇게 생각하시나요?”⁵
   Why do you think so?”

   • 그런데 is a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

6. 어느 날 그들은 강 옆에 도착했는데, 그곳에는 젊고 아름다운 여자가 강을 건너려 하다가 어려움을 겪고 있었다.⁶
   One day, they arrived beside a river, where there was a young and beautiful woman having difficulty trying to cross the river.

   • 도착하다 means ‘to arrive’.
   • 였 is a past tense marker.
   • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

7. 나 떡볶이 진짜 먹고 싶은데…⁷
   I really want to eat some tteokbokki though…

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -은데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.

8. 근데 난 한강 가면 치맥이 먼저 생각나는데?¹
   But when I go to the Han River, chicken and beer comes to mind first, doesn’t it?

   • 근데 is a casual contraction of 그런데, a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

9. 나도 같이 가고 싶었는데!³
   I wish I could’ve gone with you!

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -었- is a past tense marker.
   • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.

10. 다들 힘들게 사는데, 서로 도와주고 이해하면서 조금씩 변해가는 게 너무 좋았어.⁴
    While everyone lives with difficulty, I really liked how they help each other, understand each other, and gradually change.

    • 살다 means ‘to live’.
    • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

11. “스님, 우리는 여자를 만지지 않기로 했는데, 어떻게 그 여자를 들어 건너셨습니까?”⁶
    “We promised not to touch a woman. How could you carry her across the river?”

    • 하다 means ‘to do’.
    • -기로 하다 is a grammar pattern used to express a deliberate decision or a determined course of action, and the verb 하다 (to do) carries the meaning of 결정하다 (to decide) in this context.
    • 였 is a past tense marker.
    • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

12. 유나: 그런데 나는 매운 거 잘 못 먹어.⁷
    Yuna: But I can’t handle spicy food well.

    • 그런데 is a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

13. 근데 너 일본에서도 공연 본 거 아니야?³
    By the way, didn’t you also see a concert in Japan?

    • 근데 is a casual contraction of 그런데, a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

14. 지수: 그치, 그 두 사람 다 상처가 많았는데, 그냥 옆에 있어 주는 것만으로도 힘이 되는 게 보여서 좋았어.⁴
    Jisoo: Right, both of those people had many wounds, but it was good to see that just being by their side was enough to give them strength.

    • 많다 means ‘to be many’ or ‘to be a lot’.
    • 았 is the past tense marker.
    • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

15. 그런데 왜 아직도 그 여자를 마음속에 두고 있는가?”⁶
    Why are you still carrying her?”

    • 그런데 is a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

16. 나연: 오, 어땠는데?³
    Nayeon: Oh, how was it?

    • 어떻다 means ‘to be how’.
    • -었- is a past tense marker.
    • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.

17. 근데 그게 되게 매력적이었어.⁴
    But it was very attractive.

    • 근데 is a casual contraction of 그런데, a conjunction used to change the direction of a story while relating it to the preceding statement, to introduce something opposed to the previous statement, or to begin or continue a conversation without a special meaning. It can mean ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘by the way’, ‘nonetheless’ or simply ‘well’, depending on the context. It derives from 그렇다 (to be so) combined with -ㄴ데, a pattern used to connect clauses by introducing background information or subtle contrast.

18. 둘이 너무 다른데, 그래서 더 재밌었던 것 같아.⁴
    The two of them are so different, and I think that’s why it was more fun.

    • 다르다 means ‘to be different’.
    • -ㄴ데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.

19. 두 사람 다 마음에 상처가 있는데, 서로 조금씩 나아지는 게 진짜 감동이었어.⁴
    Both of them were emotionally hurt, but seeing them gradually heal each other was truly touching.

    • 있다 means ‘to exist’.
    • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement, whether as background information or as a subtle contrast. It developed through grammaticalization of the modifier suffix -는 (which marks a clause as modifying the following noun) and the dependent noun 데 (meaning ‘place’ or ‘situation’), originally conveying ‘in such a situation…’.