Processing keyword: ~던 [deon] (That used to)

Korean Grammar Point: ~던 [deon] (That used to)

Understanding the Korean Grammar Point: ~던 [deon] (That Used To)

1. Introduction

In Korean, expressing past actions or states that were ongoing or habitual requires specific grammatical constructions. The suffix ~던 is one such tool, allowing speakers to convey nuances about past experiences, memories, or unfinished actions. This lesson will delve into the usage of ~던, helping you understand how to accurately express "that used to" or "used to be" in Korean.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

The suffix ~던 attaches to verbs and adjectives to indicate actions or states that were:

• Repeated or habitual in the past.
• Ongoing in the past but are no longer happening.
• Unfinished actions observed in the past. It reflects a reminiscence or recollection of past events from the speaker's perspective.

Meaning, Structure, and Formation

Meaning

~던 conveys:

• "Used to...": Expressing habitual past actions.
• "That was...": Describing a past state or unfinished action.

Structure

The formation of ~던 depends on whether it attaches to a verb or adjective.

• Verb/Adjective Stem + 던

Formation Diagram

[ Verb/Adjective Stem ] + 던

Examples of Verb and Adjective Stems

3. Comparative Analysis

~던 vs. ~았/었던

• ~던: Emphasizes an action that was ongoing or habitual in the past but is incomplete or no longer occurring.
• ~았/었던: Used for actions that were completed in the past. Comparison Table

  Usage	~던	~았/었던
  Unfinished past actions	✔	✖
  Completed past actions	✖	✔
  Habitual past actions	✔	✔ (less emphasis on habit)

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Habitual Past Action (Informal)

• Korean: 내가 자주 가던 카페가 문을 닫았어.
• Romanization: Naega jaju gadeon kapega muneul datasseo.
• Translation: The café I used to go to often has closed down.

2. Ongoing Past State (Formal)

• Korean: 어렸을 때 좋아하던 책을 다시 읽고 있습니다.
• Romanization: Eoryeosseul ttae johadeon chaegeul dasi ilgo itsseumnida.
• Translation: I am rereading a book that I used to like when I was young.

3. Unfinished Past Action (Written)

• Korean: 보고 싶던 영화를 드디어 봤다.
• Romanization: Bogo sipdeon yeonghwareul deudieo bwatda.
• Translation: I finally watched the movie I had wanted to see.

4. Memory of Past Event (Spoken)

• Korean: 우리가 함께 걷던 길이야.
• Romanization: Uriga hamkke geotdeon giriya.
• Translation: This is the road we used to walk together.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean culture, reminiscing about the past is a common theme in literature and daily conversation. The use of ~던 allows speakers to share memories and express nostalgia.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• ~던 is neutral in terms of politeness.
• Politeness levels are adjusted through sentence endings rather than the suffix ~던 itself.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 옛날에 살던 집: The house I used to live in long ago.
• 자주 먹던 음식: The food I used to eat often.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

Mistake: Confusing ~던 with ~는 (present tense modifier).

• Incorrect: 내가 자주 가는 카페가 문을 닫았어. (The café I often go to has closed.)
• Corrected: 내가 자주 가던 카페가 문을 닫았어. (The café I used to go to often has closed.) Mistake: Using ~던 for completed actions.
• Incorrect: 어제 먹던 케이크가 맛있었어. (Implies you were eating the cake yesterday but didn't finish.)
• Corrected: 어제 먹은 케이크가 맛있었어. (The cake I ate yesterday was delicious.)

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of 던 as "done but not done" – actions that were ongoing but not necessarily completed.
• Practice: Create sentences about past habits or memories to get comfortable with ~던.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~던 is used to express past habitual or unfinished actions and states.
• It attaches directly to verb or adjective stems.
• It reflects nostalgia or memories about the past.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you attach ~던 to the verb 읽다 (to read)? Answer: 읽던
2. Translate into Korean: "The song we used to listen to." Answer: 우리가 듣던 노래
3. Which suffix would you use for a completed past action: ~던 or ~았/었던? Answer: ~았/었던

By understanding and practicing the use of ~던, you'll be able to express past habits and memories more naturally in Korean.