Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 3 - Korean for Beginners #2 (Lessons 61 to 90) ᚛ Lesson 77 - Contrast, request, and astonishment [-(으)ㄴ/는데(요)]

Contrast, request, and astonishment [-(으)ㄴ/는데(요)]

In this course: ㄴ데요 / 은데요 / 는데요

The -(으)ㄴ/는데 structure, seen in the previous chapter, can also end a sentence and allow one to express different nuances. In the polite style, we add the suffix of politeness -요 to it.

Express a contrast

Placed at the end of a sentence, the -(으)ㄴ/는데(요) structure also allows one to express a slight contrast, which is generally translated as "yes, but", "nevertheless", "well", or even "to me" in English.

- 그 영화 몇 번 봤어요. 재미있어요.
→ I have seen this movie many times. It is nice.
- 재미없었는데요.
→ (However) it was boring.

- 날씨가 좋아.
→ The weather is nice.
- 조금 추운데.
→ It's a little cold (though).

- 외국인한테는 이 김치찌개가 매울 수 있어요.
→ For foreigners, this kimchi stew can be spicy.
- 저한테는 맵지 않은데요.
→ Well, it's not spicy to me.

- 그 식당 음식 맛없는데, 미정 씨는 그 식당 음식들 어때요?
→ That restaurant's food is not good. Mijeong, what do you think about the restaurant's dishes?
- 저는 그 식당 음식 정말 좋아하는데요.
→ Well, I really like the restaurant's food.

Make a request

Mark astonishment

Exercises

You already know some vocabulary and sentence structures… But when you listen to Koreans speak, do you ever feel like something is missing, the meaning behind the words, the cultural nuance that makes the language truly come alive?

That’s completely normal. In Korean, proverbs and idiomatic expressions are essential to understanding how Koreans think and communicate. Without them, you can speak, but your language will feel flat and overly literal.

With 100 Korean Proverbs - Illustrated and Explained, you’ll understand not only what Koreans say, but why they say it, and what each expression reveals about their mindset and culture.

Learn more

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