-다가Korean connective · TOPIK 3
-daga
One connective with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used when an action or state, etc., is stopped and changed to another action or state.
어떤 행동이나 상태 등이 중단되고 다른 행동이나 상태로 바뀜을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.
‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
우리는 밥을 먹다가 차를 마셨다.
We were eating and then had some tea.
유민이가 여행을 갔다가 돌아왔다.
Yumin went on a trip and then came back.
나는 일기를 쓰다가 생각에 잠겼다.
I was writing in my diary and then got lost in thought.
대화In conversation
승규야, 왜 책상 위에 엎드려서 자고 있어?
Seunggyu, why are you sleeping on the desk?
공부를 하다가 잠이 들어 버렸어요.
I was studying and fell asleep.
A connective ending used when something happens while a certain act is ongoing.
어떤 행동이 진행되는 중에 다른 행동이 나타남을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.
‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
잠을 자다가 무서운 꿈을 꾸었다.
I was sleeping and had a scary dream.
영화를 보다가 그 사람이 생각났다.
I was watching a movie and then thought of that person.
기차를 타고 가다가 친구를 만났다.
I was riding the train and ran into a friend.
A connective ending used when the preceding statement is the cause or reason for the following statement.
앞에 오는 말이 뒤에 오는 말의 원인이나 근거가 됨을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.
‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 그의 말을 듣다가 화가 났다.
Jisu got angry because of what he said.
그는 과식을 하다가 배탈이 나고 말았다.
He ate too much and ended up with an upset stomach.
민준이는 멍하니 있다가 선생님 말씀을 못 들었다.
Minjun was spacing out and missed what the teacher said.
대화In conversation
유민아, 너 감기에 걸렸어?
Yumin, did you catch a cold?
응. 어제 창문을 열고 잤다가 감기에 걸렸지 뭐야.
Yeah, I was sleeping with the window open and caught a cold.
A connective ending used when more than two facts occur in turns.
두 가지 이상의 사실이 차례를 바꾸어 가며 일어남을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Usually used as -다가 -다가.
주로 '-다가 -다가'로 쓴다.
예문Examples
그는 전화기를 들었다가 놓았다가 하며 초조해했다.
He kept picking up and putting down the phone, feeling anxious.
아이는 울었다가 웃었다가 하며 금방금방 기분이 바뀌었다.
The child kept crying and then laughing, changing moods quickly.
지수는 시험을 앞두고 손톱을 물어뜯다가 몸을 떨다가 하며 불안해했다.
Jisu was biting her nails and trembling with anxiety before the exam.
대화In conversation
요즘 일교차가 심하네요.
The temperature difference these days is severe.
네, 날씨가 덥다가 춥다가 하네요.
Yeah, the weather goes from hot to cold.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -다가 mean in Korean?
-다가 is a connective introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A connective ending used when an action or state, etc., is stopped and changed to another action or state. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -다가?
Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-. The other shape is -다, 다가도 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -다가 and -다?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -다가?
3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.