Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-던
that (someone) used to do / was doing (unfinished)
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Noun modifier that recalls a past action that was repeated over time or was interrupted (not finished), or a past state. 자주 가던 식당 = the restaurant I used to go to; 먹던 빵 = bread I was eating (some is left).
Forming it
| 다니다 | → 다니던 |
| 먹다 | → 먹던 |
| 예쁘다 | → 예쁘던 |
| 학생 | → 학생이던 |
먹은 빵 means the eating is finished; 먹던 빵 means it was not finished or was habitual.
Examples
이건 제가 어릴 때 자주 듣던 노래예요.
This is a song I often listened to when I was little.
아까 마시던 커피 어디에 뒀어요?
Where did you put the coffee you were drinking earlier?
Compared with similar patterns
-았/었던 stresses that the past action is completed or the state no longer holds, and can be a one-time event. -(으)ㄴ is plain past completion.