Processing keyword: ~았/었다가 [ass/eossdaga] (Was and then)

Korean Grammar Point: ~았/었다가 [ass/eossdaga] (Was and then)

1. Introduction

In Korean, the grammar pattern ~았/었다가 is used to express that after completing one action, a contrasting or unexpected action occurs. It often conveys a sense of reversal or change in situation. This pattern can be translated to "did (something) and then (unexpectedly)..." or "was (doing something) but then...".

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

• Expresses a change or contrast in actions:
  • Indicates that the second action is contrary to what might be expected after the first action.
• Highlights unexpected results or reversals:
  • The second action often undoes or changes the first action.

Structure

The structure combines the past tense suffix ~았/었다 with 다가, attached to the verb stem.

Formation

1. Verb Stem + ~았/었다가 + [Contrasting Action]

How to Conjugate:

• For verb stems ending with vowels 아 or 오:
  • Add 았다가
• For verb stems ending with other vowels:
  • Add 었다가
• For 하다 verbs:
  • Change to 했다가

Formation Table

Verb Type	Example Verb	Verb Stem	Add	Conjugated Form
Ends with 아 or 오	가다 (to go)	가	았다가	갔다가
Other vowels	먹다 (to eat)	먹	었다가	먹었다가
하다 verbs	공부하다 (to study)	공부하	했다가	공부했다가

Visual Aid: Formation Diagram

[ Verb Stem ] + [ 았/었다가 ] + [ Contrasting Action ]

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ~았/었다가 with Similar Grammar Points

~고 나서 vs. ~았/었다가

• ~고 나서: Simply indicates that one action occurs after another, with no implication of contrast or unexpectedness.
  • Example: 책을 읽 고 나서 잤어요.
    • "I read a book and then slept."
• ~았/었다가: Implies that the second action is unexpected or contrasts with the first.
  • Example: 책을 읽 었다가 잠이 안 왔어요.
    • "I read a book but (unexpectedly) couldn't sleep."

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4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. 우산을 가져왔다가 비가 안 왔어요.
   • Usaneul gajyeowatda ga biga an wasseoyo.
   • "I brought an umbrella, but then it didn't rain."
2. 기차를 탔다가 내렸어요.
   • Gichareul tatt aga naeryeosseoyo.
   • "I boarded the train but then got off."
3. 샤워를 했다가 물이 끊겼어요.
   • Syaworeul haett aga muri kkeun-gyeosseoyo.
   • "I was taking a shower, and then the water got cut off."
4. 옷을 샀다가 마음에 안 들어서 환불했어요.
   • Oseul satt aga maeume an deureoseo hwanbulhaesseoyo.
   • "I bought clothes but then didn't like them, so I got a refund."

Formal and Informal Usage

• Formal Speech:
  • 회의에 참석했다가 중요한 소식을 들었습니다.
    • Hoeuie chamseokhaett aga jungyohan sosigeul deureotseumnida.
    • "I attended the meeting and then heard important news."
• Informal Speech:
  • 친구 집에 갔다가 아무도 없어서 돌아왔어.
    • Chingu jibe gatt aga amudo eopseoseo dorawasseo.
    • "I went to my friend's house, but no one was there, so I came back."

Written and Spoken Contexts

• Written Context:
  • 그는 직장을 그만두었다가 다시 돌아왔다.
    • Geuneun jikjangeul geumandu eotdaga dasi dorawatta.
    • "He quit his job but then returned."
• Spoken Context:
  • 잠깐 쉬었다가 계속하자.
    • Jamkkan swieot daga gyesokhaja.
    • "Let's rest for a bit and then continue."

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Emphasis on Change and Reversal:
  • Korean culture often emphasizes the impermanence of situations. Using ~았/었다가 reflects an awareness that circumstances can change unexpectedly.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Adjusting Verb Endings:
  • The level of politeness is determined by the verb endings after ~았/었다가.
  • Use -요 endings for polite speech and -습니다 for formal speech.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 하다가 말았다
  • Literally "started to do something but stopped."
  • Example:
    • 청소를 하다가 말았어요.
      • Cheongsoreul ha daga maleosseoyo.
      • "I started cleaning but didn't finish."

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using ~았/었다가 for Simple Sequential Actions:
   • Incorrect: 아침을 먹었다가 학교에 갔어요.
     • Achimeul meogeot daga hakgyoe gasseoyo.
     • This implies an unexpected contrast, which may not be intended.
   • Correct: 아침을 먹고 학교에 갔어요.
     • Achimeul meok go hakgyoe gasseoyo.
     • "I ate breakfast and then went to school."
2. Misconjugating the Verb:
   • Incorrect: 배우다 + 았다가 = 배우았다가
   • Correct: 배우 었다가
     • Since 배우다 ends with a vowel other than 아 or 오, add 었다가.

Tips

• Emphasize Contrast:
  • Use ~았/었다가 when the second action is unexpected or reverses the first action.
  • Think of it as "I did A, but then B happened."
• Practice with Common Verbs:
  • Create sentences using verbs you commonly use to get comfortable with the pattern.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • "Did A but then (unexpectedly) B"
• Practice Exercises:
  • Write your own sentences expressing an action followed by a contrasting result.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~았/었다가 is used to express an unexpected or contrasting action occurring after the completion of another action.
• The pattern is formed by adding ~았/었다가 to the verb stem.
• It is different from simple sequential connectors like ~고 or ~고 나서, which do not imply contrast.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb:
   • 집에 ______ 다시 나왔어요. (가다)
     • Answer: 갔다가
     • "I went home but then came out again."
2. True or False:
   • ~았/었다가 can be used for actions that simply occur one after another without any contrast.
     • Answer: False
     • It should express a contrast or unexpected result.
3. Choose the sentence that correctly uses ~았/었다가: a) 비가 와서 우산을 썼다가 집에 갔어요. b) 비가 왔다가 그쳤어요.
   • Answer: b) 비가 왔다가 그쳤어요.
     • "It rained but then stopped."

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By understanding ~았/었다가, you can express nuanced changes and unexpected outcomes in your Korean sentences, adding depth to your communication.

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