What is “-은/는데”?

The Korean grammar form “-은/는데” is a conjunctive ending used to connect two clauses, presenting a situation or contrasting facts. Its form varies depending on whether it attaches to verbs or adjectives and on whether there is a final consonant (받침).

Forms and Usage

Adjectives

With a final consonant (받침 있음): “-은데”
Example: 작다 (to be small) → 작은데
Without a final consonant (받침 없음): “-ㄴ데”
Example: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁜데

Verbs

Regardless of a final consonant (받침 있음/없음): “-는데”

먹다 (to eat) → 먹는데
가다 (to go) → 가는데

Uses

1. Contrasting Facts

“-은/는데” is used to link two contrasting ideas.

고기는 맛있는데 야채가 맛이 없어요. (The meat is delicious, but the vegetables taste bad.)
서둘러 갔는데 이미 마감됐어요. (Although I hurried to get there, it had already closed.)
그 사람은 똑똑한데 성격이 소심해. (That person is smart but timid.)

2. Presenting a Situation or Background

It introduces a context or background for the following clause.

음식점에 갔는데 친구가 약속에 늦었다. (I went to the restaurant, and my friend arrived late.)
새로운 메뉴를 먹었는데 생각보다 맛있더라. (I tried a new menu, and it tasted better than I expected.)
싸움이 일어났는데 경찰을 부르자. (A fight broke out, so let’s call the police.)
오늘 아빠가 용돈을 주셨는데 피자 시켜 먹자. (My dad gave me some allowance today, so let’s order pizza.)

Quiz

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “-은/는데”:

싸움이 _______ (일어나다) 경찰을 부르자.
(A fight broke out, so let’s call the police.)
그 사람은 _______ (똑똑하다) 성격이 소심해.
(That person is smart but timid.)
고기는 _______ (맛있다) 야채가 맛이 없어요.
(The meat is delicious, but the vegetables taste bad.)
음식점에 _______ (가다) 친구가 약속에 늦었다.
(I went to the restaurant, and my friend arrived late.)
새로운 메뉴를 _______ (먹다) 생각보다 맛있더라.
(I tried a new menu, and it tasted better than I expected.)