Processing keyword: ~았/었 던 [at/eot deon] (Past descriptive)

Korean Grammar Point: ~았/었 던 [at/eot deon] (Past descriptive)

Understanding the Korean Grammar Point: ~았/었 던 [at/eot deon] (Past Descriptive)

1. Introduction

In Korean, expressing past events or states can be nuanced and varies depending on the context. The grammar point ~았/었 던 is used to describe actions or states that occurred in the past but have implications or relevance to the present. This lesson will delve into the usage of ~았/었 던, its formation, and how it differs from other past tense expressions.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

~았/었 던 is used to:

• Describe a past action or state that was habitual or repeated but no longer continues.
• Recall past experiences or memories that contrast with the present.
• Emphasize that something was in a certain state before but has since changed.

Formation

To form ~았/었 던, you attach -았던 or -었던 to the verb stem, depending on the vowel harmony.

Formation Diagram

1. Identify the verb stem:
   • Remove 다 from the dictionary form.
2. Determine the correct ending:
   • If the stem has 아 or 오, use -았던.
   • Otherwise, use -었던.
3. Combine the stem and the ending.

Examples

3. Comparative Analysis

~았/었 던 vs ~았/었 었다

• ~았/었 던 focuses on past actions or states that have relevance or contrast to the present.
• ~았/었 었다 (double past tense) emphasizes that an action was completed in the past and has no relation to the present. Example:
• 먹었던 음식이 생각나요.
  • I remember the food I used to eat (and perhaps I don't eat it anymore).
• 먹었었던 음식이 생각나요.
  • I recall the food I ate before (emphasizing that it was in the past and is completed).

4. Examples in Context

Formal Written (e.g., essays, books)

• 내가 살았던 도시가 많이 변했다.
  • The city where I used to live has changed a lot.
• 그가 읽었던 책은 이제 절판되었다.
  • The book he had read is now out of print.

Informal Spoken

• 우리 자주 갔던 카페에 갈래?
  • Do you want to go to the café we used to go to often?
• 어렸을 때 듣던 음악을 다시 들어봤어.
  • I listened again to the music I used to listen to when I was young.

Formal Spoken (e.g., presentations, formal conversations)

• 학생들이 배우던 내용을 복습합시다.
  • Let's review the content that the students were learning.
• 그분이 근무하시던 회사가 유명합니다.
  • The company where he used to work is famous.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• The usage of ~았/었 던 does not inherently change the politeness level but can be combined with honorifics and polite endings to match the appropriate level of formality.
• Reflecting on past experiences is common in Korean storytelling and conversations, often eliciting nostalgia.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 옛날에 살았던 집
  • The house I used to live in a long time ago.
• 자주 듣던 노래
  • A song I used to listen to often.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing with Simple Past Tense (~았/었다)
   • Using ~았/었다 merely states that an action happened in the past, without the nuance of contrast or discontinuation.
2. Incorrect Ending Attachment
   • Misapplication of -았던 vs -었던 due to vowel harmony errors.

Tips

• Mnemonic Device: Think of ~았/었 던 as "used to" in English, indicating past habits or states that have changed.
• Practice: Create sentences about your past habits or places you've been to emphasize the change from past to present.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~았/었 던 is used to describe past actions or states that contrast with the present.
• It emphasizes that something used to occur or be a certain way but no longer is.
• Formed by adding -았던 or -었던 to the verb stem, depending on vowel harmony.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form ~았/었 던 with the verb 마시다 (to drink)?
   • Answer: 마시 + 었던 = 마셨던
2. Translate the sentence: "제가 다녔던 학교는 작았어요."
   • Answer: "The school I used to attend was small."
3. What is the main difference between ~았/었 던 and ~았/었 었다?
   • Answer: ~았/었 던 indicates past actions/states with relevance to the present or a contrast, while ~았/었 었다 emphasizes that an action was completed in the past with no direct relevance to the present.

Feel free to revisit this lesson and practice creating your own sentences using ~았/었 던 to describe past experiences that contrast with your present situation!