Lesson 63 · Setting Up a Conversation: -(으)ㄴ/는데(요)
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 63 · Grammar
Setting Up a Conversation: -(으)ㄴ/는데(요)
Learn Setting Up a Conversation: -(으)ㄴ/는데(요) with form rules, natural examples, common mistakes, romanization, and six practice questions with answers.
Introduction / Review
-(으)ㄴ/는데 introduces background for what comes next. It may prepare a request, explain a situation, or mark a contrast. Sentence-final -는데요 can invite a response or soften an opening.
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Present action verb: V-는데, as in 가는데, 먹는데. Final ㄹ drops: 살다 → 사는데. 있다/없다 also use 는데: 있는데, 없는데.
- Present adjective: vowel + ㄴ데, consonant + 은데: 예쁜데, 작은데. Irregulars: 춥다 → 추운데; 멀다 → 먼데.
- Past: -았/었는데 for both verbs and adjectives: 갔는데, 추웠는데. Nouns: (이)ㄴ데, as in 학생인데, 의사인데. Add 요 when ending a polite utterance.
Examples
지금 공부하는데 전화가 와요.
jigeum gongbuhaneunde jeonhwaga wayo
I’m studying now, and the phone is ringing.
이 가방은 예쁜데 비싸요.
i gabangeun yeppeunde bissayo
This bag is pretty, but expensive.
질문이 있는데요.
jilmuni inneundeyo
I have a question.
저는 학생인데요.
jeoneun haksaengindeyo
I’m a student. (Providing background.)
어제 갔는데 친구가 없었어요.
eoje ganneunde chinguga eopseosseoyo
I went yesterday, but my friend wasn’t there.
시간이 없는데 내일 만날까요?
sigani eomneunde naeil mannalkkayo
I don’t have time; shall we meet tomorrow?
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 58
-아/어서
비가 와서 집에 있었어요.-아/어서 gives a direct reason. -는데 sets the scene before a question, request or suggestion.
Review Lesson 58 →LESSON 24
-는데 + -(으)ㄹ까요?
비가 오는데 택시 탈까요?Background + suggestion is one of the most common combinations.
Review Lesson 24 →| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A-(으)ㄴ데 · V-는데 · N인데 | adjective · verb · noun | 좋은데, 가는데, 학생인데 |
| -는데 (background) | sets the scene for a question or request | 비가 오는데 우산 있어요? |
| -는데 (contrast) | a softer “but” | 작은데 편해요 |
| -는데요 (ending) | soft ending, waiting for a reaction | 저는 괜찮은데요 |
Dialogue: Asking a Classmate for Help
Minsu has a presentation tomorrow and asks Yuna for help. Notice how -는데 sets up the background before a question, a suggestion, or a request.
Point: 질문이 있는데요 opens the conversation politely. 있는데, 먼데, and 조용한데 give background before a suggestion. Only 발표가 있는데 … 어려워요 carries a hint of “but.”
-는데 vs -지만 vs -아/어서
All three connect two clauses, but each one does a different job.
| Pattern | Main job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄴ/는데 | Gives background or sets up what comes next (sometimes a soft contrast) | 비가 오는데 우산 있어요? |
| -지만 | A clear contrast: “but” | 비싸지만 맛있어요. |
| -아/어서 | A reason and its result | 비가 와서 집에 있었어요. |
Common mistakes
Do not label every -는데 as “but.” 질문이 있는데요 opens a conversation by giving background. Note especially that past forms take 는데 after 았/었, not 았/었은데. Sentence-final -는데요 is natural in context even when the next clause is implied.
Adjectives take -(으)ㄴ데: 좋은데.
Action verbs take -는데: 오는데.
Nouns take 인데: 학생인데.
Words ending in 있다/없다 take -는데: 맛있는데.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank배가 ______ 뭐 먹으러 갈까요? (고프다)
Check answer
배가 고픈데 뭐 먹으러 갈까요?
Adjective → -(으)ㄴ데: 고픈데.
- Fill in the blank어제 그 식당에 ______ 문을 닫았어요. (가다)
Check answer
어제 그 식당에 갔는데 문을 닫았어요.
Past background → 갔는데.
- Choose the correct form이 영화 (재미있은데 / 재미있는데) 같이 볼래요?
Check answer
재미있는데
재미있다 ends in 있다 → 는데.
- Choose the correct form지금 회의 (중인데 / 중는데) 나중에 전화할게요.
Check answer
중인데
중 is a noun → 인데.
- Find and fix the mistake오늘은 시간이 없은데 내일 만나요.
Check answer
오늘은 시간이 없는데 내일 만나요.
없다 → 없는데.
- Say it in KoreanI’m going to the store — do you need anything?
Check answer
마트에 가는데 뭐 필요한 거 있어요?
Background (가는데) + question.
Questions Learners Often Ask
Why does a sentence end with -는데요?
Ending with -는데요 leaves space for the listener to respond. 질문이 있는데요 (“I have a question…”) politely waits for “Sure, go ahead.” It is also used to soften disagreement: 그건 아닌데요 (“Well, that’s not quite right…”).
Is it 는데, 은데, or ㄴ데?
Action verbs and 있다/없다 take 는데: 가는데, 있는데. Adjectives take (으)ㄴ데: 예쁜데, 작은데. Nouns take 인데: 학생인데. In the past, everything takes 았/었는데: 갔는데, 추웠는데.
Is -는데 the same as “but”?
Only sometimes. Very often it simply means “and” or “so” while setting the scene: 지금 공부하는데 전화가 와요 means “I’m studying, and the phone is ringing.” Translate it from the context.
Today’s Key Point
Present V-는데; present A-(으)ㄴ데; past -았/었는데; background is broader than “but.”
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