Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 5 - Intermediate Korean #2 (Lessons 121 to 150) ᚛ Lesson 128 - Giving information in Korean [-거든(요)]

Giving information in Korean [-거든(요)]

In this course: 거든 / 거든요

To give an explanation

In Korean, it is possible to give a reason for a context and to inform the listener of something they presumably do not know with the verb ending -거든(요), used in the following manner:
[Reason: … Stem]거든(요)

The ending -거든 in the casual style and -거든요 in the polite and formal styles is used in two cases:

To answer a question by giving a reason
To add a reason to a context that we have just expressed

The very essence of this structure is that it allows us to provide a piece of information that the listener does not know.

Answering a question

When we answer a question asking why we are doing something, it is very common to use -거든(요) to indicate our reason.

- 피곤해 보여요.
- 네, 어제 늦게 잤거든요.
→ - You look tired.
- Yes, (it’s because) I went to bed late yesterday.

- 왜 그렇게 수호 이야기를 많이 해?
- 사실 나 수호 좋아하거든.
→ - Why do you talk about Suho so much?
- Actually, it’s because I like Suho.

- 또 샐러드를 먹니?
- 응, 요즘 다이어트 중이거든.
→ - Are you eating salad again?
- Yes, (it’s because) I’m on a diet these days.

- 땀이 많이 나네요. 밖에 많이 더운가요?
- 아니요. 날씨는 덥지 않은데 운동을 하고 왔거든요.
→ - You’re sweating a lot! Is it very hot outside?
- No. The weather isn’t hot, but (it’s because) I worked out before coming.

- 집에 지금 도착했니?
- 네, 친구들을 만났거든요.
→ - Did you just get home?
- Yes, (it’s because) I met up with some friends.