Processing keyword: ~았/었 던 [at/eot deon] (Past descriptive)
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
- Identify the verb stem:
- Remove 다 from the dictionary form.
- Determine the correct ending:
- If the stem has 아 or 오, use -았던.
- Otherwise, use -었던.
- Combine the stem and the ending.
Examples
| Dictionary Form | Verb Stem | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | -었던 | 먹었던 |
| 가다 (to go) | 가 | -았던 | 갔던 |
| 살다 (to live) | 살 | -았던 | 살았던 |
| 공부하다 (to study) | 공부하 | -였던 | 공부했던 |
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
- 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.
- 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
- How do you form ~았/었 던 with the verb 마시다 (to drink)?
- Answer: 마시 + 었던 = 마셨던
- Translate the sentence: "제가 다녔던 학교는 작았어요."
- Answer: "The school I used to attend was small."
- 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!