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-더군Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 4

-deogun

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

-더군-더군요

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 convey a newly learned fact from a past personal experience, and indicate that the speaker notices or is impressed by it.

(두루낮춤으로) 과거에 직접 경험하여 새롭게 알게 된 사실을 전하며 그 사실에 주목하거나 감탄함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Mainly used in speech, including when talking to oneself.

주로 구어나 혼잣말에서 쓴다.

예문Examples

내일 열리는 농구 결승전이 꽤 재미있겠더군.

The basketball final tomorrow looks like it'll be quite exciting.

오랜만에 지수를 만났는데 못 본 사이에 많이 자랐더군.

I met Jisu after a long time, and she had grown a lot since I last saw her.

민준이는 회사에서 매일 야근을 해서 집에는 늦게 오더군.

Minjun works overtime every day at the company, so he comes home late.

대화In conversation

승규가 어제 일로 단단히 화가 난 것 같더군.

Seunggyu seemed really upset about yesterday's incident.

그래? 내가 만나서 얘기를 좀 해 봐야겠네.

Really? I should meet him and talk it over.

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to convey a newly learned fact from a personal experience.

(아주낮춤으로) 직접 경험하여 새롭게 알게 된 사실을 알릴 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Mainly used in speech.

주로 구어에서 쓴다.

예문Examples

유민이는 얼굴도 예쁘고 마음씨도 예쁘더군.

Yumin is pretty in face and pretty in heart too.

민준이가 이번에 어려운 시험에 합격했더군.

Minjun passed the difficult exam this time.

서랍을 보니 형이 여행에서 찍은 사진이 많더군.

Looking in the drawer, I saw there were many photos my brother took on his trip.

대화In conversation

결혼반지를 알아보니 생각보다 가격이 좀 비싸더군.

When I looked into wedding rings, they were more expensive than I thought.

그러면 가격이 조금 저렴한 다른 상점을 알아보는 건 어때?

Then how about checking out some other shops with lower prices?

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 -다니 -dani -다니요 · -라니 · -라니요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask again or admire an unexpected fact in surprise. TOPIK 4

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -더군 mean in Korean?

-더군 is a sentence ending introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to convey a newly learned fact from a past personal experience, and indicate that the speaker notices or is impressed by it. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -더군?

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

What is the difference between -더군 and -더군요?

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 -더군?

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.