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-다니Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 4

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TOPIK 4 4급Sentence Endings 종결 어미2 senses

One sentence ending with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-다니-다니요-라니-라니요

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask again or admire an unexpected fact in surprise.

(두루낮춤으로) 뜻밖의 사실에 놀라서 되묻거나 감탄할 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Mainly used in speech, including when talking to oneself.

주로 구어나 혼잣말에서 쓴다.

예문Examples

아직 해도 안 졌는데 벌써 가다니?

The sun hasn't even set yet and you're already leaving?

힘들게 모은 돈을 한꺼번에 다 날리다니!

You blew all the money you saved so hard in one go!

몇 년 전까지만 해도 정정하시던 양반이 돌아가셨다니.

He was so healthy just a few years ago, and now he's passed away.

대화In conversation

아무도 안 가지고 가는 우산, 그냥 버릴까?

Nobody's taking this umbrella, should we just throw it away?

버리다니? 네가 가져가.

Throw it away? You take it.

(formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to express a question about a certain fact that is assumed to be already given.

(예사 낮춤으로) 어떤 사실을 주어진 것으로 치고 그에 대한 의문을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after adjectives, the honorific -으시-, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

너희 반은 왜 그렇게 시끄럽다니?

Why is your class so noisy?

추석이 지난 지가 언젠데 아직도 덥다니?

Chuseok was ages ago, why is it still so hot?

세상에, 지수는 애 둘을 낳고도 어쩜 그렇게 날씬하다니?

Wow, how can Jisu be so slim after having two kids?

대화In conversation

승규는 어쩜 이렇게 게으르다니? 만날 늦네.

How can Seunggyu be so lazy? He's always late.

그러게. 자기가 세상에서 제일 바쁜 것처럼 그러더라.

I know. He acts like he's the busiest person in the world.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-게 -ge -게요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to guess what the following statement would be like, if the preceding statement is such,… TOPIK 4 -고 -go -고요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the… TOPIK 4 -나 -na -나요 (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question. TOPIK 4 -는다니 -neundani -ㄴ다니 · -다니 · -라니 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking again or admiring an unexpected fact in surprise. TOPIK 4 -는다면서 -neundamyeonseo -ㄴ다면서 · -다면서 · -라면서 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker confirms and asks questions about a fact that he/she heard. TOPIK 4 -더군 -deogun -더군요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to convey a newly learned fact from a past personal experience, and indicate that the… TOPIK 4

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -다니 mean in Korean?

-다니 is a sentence ending introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask again or admire an unexpected fact in surprise. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -다니?

Mainly used in speech, including when talking to oneself. The other shape is -다니요, -라니, -라니요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -다니 and -다니요?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -다니?

4급 — TOPIK 4, upper 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.