HYEJU LANGUAGE LAB · INTERMEDIATE 41 · LESSON 126
V-았/었더니I did…, and (then I found / so)…
-았/었더니 connects something you did in the past with what you discovered or what resulted: 창문을 열었더니 눈이 오고 있었어요 (I opened the window, and it was snowing). 많이 먹었더니 배가 아파요 (I ate a lot, so now my stomach hurts).
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A situation you already know
You tell a friend what happened when you got home last night.
When I got home, a package was waiting for me.
First you went home (your action), then you discovered the package. -았/었더니 links these two.
Build the form
- 가다 → 갔 + 더니 → 갔더니Complete expression
- 먹다 → 먹었 + 더니 → 먹었더니Complete expression
- 열다 → 열었 + 더니 → 열었더니Complete expression
- 하다 → 했 + 더니 → 했더니Complete expression
- 물어보다 → 물어봤 + 더니 → 물어봤더니Complete expression
- Past stem + -더니: 갔더니, 먹었더니, 했더니.
- The first clause is usually something I (the speaker) did.
- Use 1, discovery: I did X → I found Y (Y often ends in -았/었어요 or -고 있었어요).
- Use 2, result: I did X → so Y happened to me (많이 걸었더니 다리가 아파요).
- When you ask or tell someone: 물어봤더니 모른다고 했어요 (I asked, and they said they didn’t know).
- The second clause can’t be a command, suggestion or future plan.
Think in Korean · an English-speaker’s guide
- English often just uses “when I…” or “I…, and…” here; Korean marks the discovery link clearly.
- Keep the speaker as the one doing the first action. For someone else, -더니 (without 았/었) is used for a change you observed.
- It’s great for storytelling: actions and surprises in sequence.
Six examples in context
I opened the window, and it was snowing.
I walked a lot yesterday, so my legs hurt.
I asked my teacher, and she explained it kindly.
I memorized words every day, and I did well on the test.
I drank too much coffee, so I can’t sleep.
I went to that restaurant, but it was closed.
Compare with related patterns
-(으)니까 (발견)
집에 가니까 택배가 와 있었어요.“When I got home, a package was there.” Very similar discovery use; more neutral (Lesson 59).
-더니 (관찰)
민수 씨가 열심히 공부하더니 합격했어요.“Minsu studied hard, and then he passed.” About someone else you observed.
-았/었더라고요
집에 가 보니까 택배가 와 있더라고요.“I noticed a package had come.” Reporting what you saw, ending the sentence (Lesson 106).
| Pattern | Choose it when… |
|---|---|
| -았/었더니 | I did X → found / resulted in Y |
| -(으)니까 | When I did X → found Y (neutral) |
| -더니 | Someone was X → then Y (observed) |
| -더라고요 | Reporting what you noticed |
Common mistakes
For your own action, use -았/었더니.
No commands after -았/었더니.
It’s for past experiences, not future guesses.
The result should connect to your own action.
Mini practice · six questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Translation answers are models; other natural wording is possible.
- Fill in the blank냉장고를 ______ 우유가 없었어요. (열다)
Check answer
냉장고를 열었더니 우유가 없었어요.
Your action → discovery: 열었더니.
- Fill in the blank푹 ______ 몸이 훨씬 좋아졌어요. (쉬다)
Check answer
푹 쉬었더니 몸이 훨씬 좋아졌어요.
Your action → result: 쉬었더니.
- Choose the natural form친구한테 (전화했더니 / 전화하더니) 안 받았어요.
Check answer
전화했더니
You called → -았/었더니.
- Choose the natural form운동을 시작했더니 (살이 빠졌어요 / 살을 빼세요).
Check answer
살이 빠졌어요
A result, not a command.
- Fix the mistake어제 일찍 잤더니 오늘 일찍 일어날 거예요.
Check answer
어제 일찍 잤더니 오늘 일찍 일어났어요.
The result is a real past/present result, not a future plan.
- Say it in KoreanI went to the store, but it was already closed.
Check answer
가게에 갔더니 벌써 문이 닫혀 있었어요.
Your action → discovery.
Today’s key point
Past stem + 더니: I did X, and then I found Y / so Y happened. The speaker does the first action; no commands or future plans afterwards.
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