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

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

~았/었다가 [ass/eossdaga] Grammar Point Explanation

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...".

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

Visual Aid: Formation Diagram

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

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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