-는데 is not BUT 🙅🏻‍♂️

Many learners assume that “-는데” simply means “but,” but in fact, it has a variety of uses in Korean. Sometimes it can be translated as “and” or “so,” and other times there isn’t a direct English equivalent at all. Today, I’m going to explain what “-는데” is all about!

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For convenience, I've been referring to it simply as “-는데,” but the actual patterns differ depending on tense and the type of word (verb, adjective, or noun).

Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Present Tense

• Verbs (VS): 가다 → 가는데

• Adjectives (ADJ): 예쁘다 → 예쁘ㄴ데 / 작다 → 작은데

• Nouns (N): 학생 → 학생인데

2. Past Tense

• Verbs/Adjectives: 가다 → 갔는데, 작다 → 작았는데

• Nouns: 학생 → 학생이었는데 / 친구 → 친구였는데

3. Future Tense

• Verbs/Adjectives: 가다 → 갈 건데, 작다 → 작을 건데

• Nouns: 학생 → 학생일 건데

*also you should consider some verbs/adjectives which are irregular.

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1. Background or Context Presentation

The connective ending “-는데” is often used to present a situation, background, or context in the first clause and then provide additional explanation or a concluding remark in the following clause.

• Example

  • 날씨가 추운데(It's cold), 옷을 따뜻하게 입는 게 좋겠어.
    (Because it’s cold, you should dress warmly.)

• Explanation

  • The first clause (“날씨가 추운데”) introduces the background information (it’s cold), and the second clause suggests a conclusion or advice based on that background.

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2. Contrast or Reversal

“-는데” can also be used when the statement in the second clause contrasts or opposes what was stated or implied in the first clause.

• Example

  • 열심히 공부했는데(I studied hard), 시험을 망쳤어.
    (I studied hard, but I still did poorly on the exam.)

• Explanation

  • The speaker sets up an expectation (studying hard typically leads to good results) in the first clause, and then the second clause indicates an unexpected or opposite outcome (the exam was a failure).

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3. Surprise or Emphasis

Sometimes speakers use “-는데” to introduce a surprising or unexpected piece of information, drawing the listener’s attention.

• Example

  • 와 이거 진짜 맛있는데!
    (Wow! This is really delicious!)

• Explanation

  • By saying ‘맛있는데,’ you imply that you didn’t expect the food to be delicious before tasting it.

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4. Reason or Cause

“-는데” can imply a reason or cause, especially when the second clause directly stems from the first clause.

• Example

  • 비가 오는데 우산 가져가.
    (It’s raining, so take an umbrella.)

• Explanation

  • The fact that it’s raining serves as the reason or cause, and that leads to the conclusion that one should bring an umbrella.

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5. Polite Ending or Expectation

In spoken Korean, “-는데요” is commonly used at the end of a sentence to imply that the speaker is waiting for a response or leaving space for further conversation.

• Example

  • 지금 자리 없는데요…?
    (There’s no seat available right now… [What do you suggest we do?])

• Explanation

  • “-는데요” can soften the statement and invite the listener to respond or make a decision.

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Summary

1. Background/Context: To present a situation or background in the first part and then add detail or a conclusion.

2. Contrast: To show contrasting or opposing ideas between clauses.

3. Surprise: To highlight surprising or unexpected information.

4. Reason/Cause: To indicate the reason or cause for the statement in the next clause.

5. Polite Ending: “-는데요” can leave room for the listener’s response.

Essentially, “-는데” is a versatile connective ending that conveys a wide range of meanings such as context, contrast, cause, surprise, and more—depending on the overall context of the conversation.

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