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-네Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 2

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TOPIK 2 2급Sentence Endings 종결 어미exclamation 감탄2 senses

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

형태Forms

-네-네요

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

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when talking about something that one just learned.

(아주낮춤으로) 지금 깨달은 일에 대하여 말함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Mainly used when exclaiming to oneself.

주로 혼잣말로 감탄할 때 쓴다.

예문Examples

우리 딸은 그림도 잘 그리네.

Our daughter is really good at drawing.

개가 주인 말도 잘 듣고 기특하네.

The dog is obedient to its owner and is quite impressive.

너희 오빠는 오늘도 늦게 들어올 모양이네.

It seems like your brother is going to come home late again today.

대화In conversation

이거 봐. 내가 만든 케이크야.

Look at this. I made this cake.

와! 전문가처럼 정말 잘 만들었네.

Wow! You made it really well, like a professional.

(formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a simple description.

(예사 낮춤으로) 단순한 서술을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시-, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

그럼 우리는 먼저 가네. 잘 있게.

Then we'll head out first. Take care.

아이구, 마침 저기 선생님이 오시네.

Oh, look—the teacher is coming right now.

자네 그렇게 무리하다가 쓰러지겠네.

You're going to exhaust yourself if you keep pushing like that.

대화In conversation

어디 갔다 오는가? 한참이나 기다렸네.

Where have you been? I've been waiting for a long time.

미안하네그려.

Sorry about that.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-는군 -neun-gun -군 · -는군요 · -군요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate that the speaker notices or is impressed by a newly learned fact. TOPIK 2 -는데 -neunde -ㄴ데 · -은데 · -는데요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to admire something while anticipating the listener's response. TOPIK 2 -을게 -eulge -ㄹ게 · 을게요 · -ㄹ게요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker promises or notifies the listener that he/she will do something. TOPIK 2 -을래 -eullae -을래요 · -ㄹ래요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the speaker's intention to do something in the future, or to ask for the… TOPIK 2 -지 -ji -지요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker confirms and says something that the listener thought he/she already knew. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -네 mean in Korean?

-네 is a sentence ending introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when talking about something that one just learned. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -네?

Mainly used when exclaiming to oneself. The other shape is -네요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -네 and -네요?

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 -네?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.