Korean Grammar Point
~거든요 [geondeunyo] (You see; Explaining)

~거든요 [geondeunyo] (You see; Explaining)

Short explanation:

Used for explaining or giving background information to the listener.

Formation:

Verb + 거든요 / Adjective + 거든요

Examples:

나 학교에 오래전에 다녔거든요, 그래서 현재 교육 시스템이 어떻게 바뀌었는지 잘 모르겠어요.
Na hakgyoe oraejeone daningeondeunyo, geuraeseo hyeonjae gyoyuk siseutemi eotteoke bakkwinji jal moreugesseoyo.
You see, I attended school a long time ago, so I don't really know how the current educational system has changed.
제가 지각한 것은 버스가 늦었거든요, 그래서 시간을 맞추지 못했어요.
Jega jigaghan geoseun beoseuga neujeotgeondeunyo, geuraeseo siganeul matchuji motaesseoyo.
The reason I was late is because the bus was delayed, so I couldn't make it on time.
저는 커피를 마시지 않아요. 커피에 카페인이 많이 들어있거든요, 그래서 잠을 못 잡니다.
Jeoneun keopireul masiji anhayo. Keopie kapeini mani deureoitgeondeunyo, geuraeseo jameul mot japnida.
I don't drink coffee. You see, coffee contains a lot of caffeine, so it keeps me from sleeping.
하루종일 집에 있어서 지루해요. 날씨가 너무나도 춥거든요, 그래서 밖에 나갈 수 없어요.
Harujongil jibe isseoseo jiruhaeyo. Nalssiga neomunado chupgeondeunyo, geuraeseo bagge nagal su eopseoyo.
I'm bored being in the house all day. You see, the weather is so cold, so I can't go outside.

Long explanation:

'~거든요 [geondeunyo]' is a grammar point used in Korean language when the speaker wants to provide additional information or background to the listener, usually as an explanation or justification for a particular situation. It is used when the speaker believes the information might be new or surprising to the listener, or when the speaker wants to disclose personal feelings or thoughts. This expression is often used in casual conversation and is more commonly heard in spoken language than written.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~거든요 [geondeunyo] (You see; Explaining)

Korean Grammar Point: ~거든요 [geondeunyo] (You see; Explaining)

~거든요 [geodeunyo] (You see; Explaining)

1. Introduction

In Korean, the grammar construct ~거든요 is used to give explanations, provide reasons, or share new information that the listener may not be aware of. It's a conversational tool that adds nuance to explanations, similar to saying "You see..." or "Because..." in English.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

~거든요 is used to:

  • Provide an explanation or reason for something.
  • Introduce information that the listener is not aware of.
  • Soften statements to sound more polite and less direct.

Structure

The structure of ~거든요 depends on whether it follows a verb, adjective, or noun and whether the stem ends with a vowel or consonant.

Verb/Adjective/Noun Type Stem Ending Formation
Verb/Adjective Any Verb/Adjective Stem + 거든요
Noun Consonant Noun + 이거든요
Noun Vowel Noun + 거든요

Formation Diagram

For verbs and adjectives:

[Verb/Adjective Stem] + 거든요

For nouns ending with a consonant:

[Noun] + 이거든요

For nouns ending with a vowel:

[Noun] + 거든요

3. Comparative Analysis

  • ~니까 vs. ~거든요:
    • ~니까 is used for giving reasons or causes, often in imperative or propositional sentences.
    • ~거든요 is used in a similar way but is more about providing new information or explaining something the listener might not know.
  • ~잖아요 vs. ~거든요:
    • ~잖아요 assumes the listener already knows the information.
    • ~거든요 introduces new information to the listener.

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

  1. Informal Spoken
    • 제가 요즘 바쁘거든요.
      • I have been busy these days, you see.
  2. Formal Spoken
    • 내일은 약속이 있거든요.
      • I have an appointment tomorrow, you see.
  3. Explanation
    • 그 식당은 가지 마세요. 음식이 별로거든요.
      • Don't go to that restaurant. The food isn't that good, you see.
  4. Providing New Information
    • 한국어를 배우고 있어요. 재미있거든요.
      • I'm learning Korean. It's interesting, you see.
  5. Noun Ending with Consonant
    • 저 사람은 제 친구이거든요.
      • That person is my friend, you see.
  6. Noun Ending with Vowel
    • 이것은 비밀거든요.
      • This is a secret, you see.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • Politeness Level: ~거든요 adds a polite and soft explanatory tone, making conversations sound more friendly and less abrupt.
  • Social Norms: In Korean culture, being indirect and providing explanations gently is valued. ~거든요 helps speakers to share information without sounding forceful.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 알고 보니 그렇거든요.
    • As it turns out, that's how it is, you see.
  • 사실은 그게 아니거든요.
    • Actually, that's not the case, you see.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Overusing ~거든요: Using it too frequently can make speech seem repetitive or unnatural.
  • Incorrect Attachment: Attaching ~거든요 directly to a noun without the copula when needed.
    • Incorrect: 학생거든요.
    • Correct: 학생이거든요.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of ~거든요 as adding "you see" to your sentences to provide explanations.
  • Practice: Create your own sentences using ~거든요 to explain reasons or provide new information.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~거든요 is used to explain reasons or provide new information to the listener.
  • It adds a polite and explanatory tone to statements.
  • Attach it to verb/adjective stems or nouns with correct consonant/vowel considerations.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. How do you attach ~거든요 to a noun ending with a consonant?
  2. Translate to Korean using ~거든요: "I can't go because I'm sick, you see."
  3. What is the difference between ~거든요 and ~잖아요?

Answers:

  1. Attach 이거든요 to the noun. For example, + 이거든요.
  2. 아파서 못 가거든요.
  3. ~거든요 introduces new information to the listener, while ~잖아요 refers to information the listener already knows.

Happy studying! Remember, using ~거든요 appropriately will make your Korean sound more natural and polite.

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