Korean Grammar Point
~던데 [deonde] (Used to)

~던데 [deonde] (Used to)

Short explanation:

Used to express reminiscence or something one used to do

Formation:

Verb in past tense + 던데

Examples:

그는 항상 머리를 길게 기르던데, 언제부터 짧게 자르기 시작했어요?
Geuneun hangsang meorireul gilge gireudeonde, eonjebuteo jjalbge jareugi sijakhaesseoyo?
He used to always grow his hair long, when did he start cutting it short?
내 친구는 예전에는 채소를 안 좋아했던데, 이제는 건강을 위해 열심히 먹는다고 하네요.
Nae chinguneun yejeonen chaesoreul an joahatdeonde, ijeneun geongangeul wihae yeolsimhi meokneundago haneyo.
My friend used to dislike vegetables, but now they say that they eat them diligently for health.
나는 어릴 때 청소를 정말 싫어했던데, 이제는 좋아해서 매일 하는 편이에요.
Naneun eoril ttae cheongsoeul jeongmal sirheohatdeonde, ijeneun joahaseo maeil haneun pyeonieyo.
I used to really hate cleaning when I was young, but now I like it and do it every day.
우리는 어렸을 때부터 함께 공부하던데, 지금은 각자 다른 대학교에 다녀요.
Urineun eoryeosseul ttabuteo hamkke gongbuhadeonde, jigeumeun gakja dareun daehakgyoe danyeoyo.
We used to study together from when we were young, but now we each attend different universities.

Long explanation:

'~던데 [deonde]' is a past tense verb ending used in Korean to indicate something one used to do or the way something used to be in the past. It is often used in a reminiscing context to recall past habits, situations, or states. It is also used to express surprise or disbelief by highlighting a contrast between the past and the present.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~던데 [deonde] (Used to)

Korean Grammar Point: ~던데 [deonde] (Used to)

Grammar Point: ~던데 [deonde] (Used to)

Introduction

The Korean grammar point ~던데 is used to express something that was previously experienced or observed. It often conveys the speaker's recollection of a past event and a request for confirmation or additional information from the listener. This construction helps to provide context or background for a statement.

Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

The grammar point ~던데 is formed by attaching ~던 to the verb stem of an action that occurred in the past, followed by the particle -데, which indicates that the speaker is recalling that past experience or situation.

Structure

  • Base Structure: Verb Stem + 던데
  • Example: 하다 (to do) → 하던데

Formation Diagram

Verb Stem + 던데
(e.g. 가다 + 던데 → 갔던데)

Meaning

  • ~던: Indicates a past action that was repeated or had a certain context.
  • -데: Provides an explanatory tone, often leading to a follow-up question or comment.

Visual Aids

Verb Stem Conjugation Example Phrase Translation
가다 (to go) 갔던데 (used to go) 어제 거기 갔던데요. I used to go there yesterday.
마시다 (to drink) 마셨던데 이 주스 마셨던데요. I used to drink this juice.

Comparative Analysis

~던데 can be contrasted with other similar constructions such as ~았던 (past tense with a focus) and ~겠는데 (speculation or assumption).

  • ~았던: Focuses solely on the past event without implying a question or request for confirmation.
    • Example: 갔던 (went)
  • ~겠는데: Indicates speculation or assumption about the present or future, with less emphasis on one's past experiences.
    • Example: 가겠는데 (I suppose [you] will go) Nuances:
  • While ~았던 focuses on simply stating what was, ~던데 adds an interactional aspect, inviting the listener to engage.

Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

  1. Formal:

    • 어제 그 영화 재밌던데요.
      • Translation: The movie was interesting yesterday.
  2. Informal:

    • 내가 어렸을 때 자주 갔던데!
      • Translation: I used to go there often when I was young!
  3. Written:

    • 그때의 상황이 기억나던데, 아무도 믿지 않았습니다.
      • Translation: I remember the situation back then; no one believed it.
  4. Spoken:

    • 그때 너는 그렇게 요리 잘하던데, 다시 해봐.
      • Translation: You used to cook so well back then; try it again.

Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean culture, recalling shared experiences can strengthen social bonds. Using ~던데 conveys familiarity and invites the listener to reflect on shared memories, an important aspect of Korean communication.

Levels of Politeness

Using ~던데 in a polite form (e.g., -요 ending) is common when speaking to people who are not close friends or family. This maintains the formality while still engaging in conversation.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • "예전에는 자주 갔던데" (I used to often go back in the day) indicates nostalgia and shared memories, often used in conversations about past experiences.

Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Common Mistake: Confusing ~던데 with just ~던.
    • Correction Tip: Remember that ~던는 simply states what used to happen, while ~던데 expressly brings an interactive element into the conversation.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Tip: Associate ~던데 with "remember" and "tell me about it," as it evokes recollection and invites more dialogue.

Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~던데 is used to refer to a past experience while inviting the listener's confirmation or response.
  • It adds an interactive tone to statements regarding past events.
  • It can be contrasted with other similar grammar points that focus on either just stating facts or making speculations.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. What does the grammar point ~던데 imply when used in a conversation?
  2. How is ~던데 formed? Provide the example of a verb stem transformation.
  3. What is a common mistake to avoid when using ~던데?

Answers

  1. It implies recalling a past experience and invites the listener's confirmation or response.
  2. Verb stem + 던데 (e.g., 가다 → 갔던데).
  3. Confusing it with just ~던, which does not carry the interactive tone.
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