Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-(으)ㄴ/는데
and, but (background or contrast)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Gives background for what follows (a situation before a question, request or suggestion) or shows a mild contrast ('but'). Very common in conversation.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가는데 |
| 비싸다 | → 비싼데 |
| 좋다 | → 좋은데 |
| 학생 | → 학생인데 |
Adjectives take -(으)ㄴ데 (좋은데); verbs and 있다/없다 take -는데 (먹는데, 맛있는데). Past: -았/었는데 for both.
Examples
이 식당은 비싼데 정말 맛있어요.
This restaurant is expensive, but the food is really good.
지금 마트에 가는데 뭐 필요한 거 있어요?
I'm going to the supermarket now. Do you need anything?
Compared with similar patterns
-지만 is a clear 'but' only; -(으)ㄴ/는데 is softer and often just sets the scene. -(으)ㄴ/는데요 ends a sentence softly, leaving something unsaid.