KoreanPath

-는다Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 3

-neunda

TOPIK 3 3급Sentence 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

-는다-ㄴ다-다

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 to describe an event or fact of the present.

(아주낮춤으로) 현재 사건이나 사실을 서술함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

우리 회사는 규정에서 예외를 두지 않는다.

Our company does not make exceptions to the rules.

어떤 사람이 아까부터 무엇인가를 찾는다.

Someone has been looking for something since a while ago.

이 장면에서 주인공은 책상 위의 책을 집는다.

In this scene, the protagonist picks up the book on the desk.

대화In conversation

아이들이 먹는 걸 보니까 케이크가 맛있나 봐.

Seeing the kids eat, the cake must be good.

그러게. 아이들이 참 잘 먹는다.

I know. They're really eating well.

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking oneself something.

(아주낮춤으로) 자기 자신에게 물을 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

주로 구어에서 ‘누구’, ‘무엇’, ‘언제’, ‘어디’, ‘어떻게’ 등과 함께 쓴다.

예문Examples

열쇠를 어디서 찾는다?

Where do I find the keys?

오늘은 무슨 구두를 신는다?

Which shoes do I wear today?

재료들을 어떤 비율로 섞는다?

What ratio do I mix the ingredients in?

대화In conversation

오늘 점심은 무얼 먹는다?

What should I eat for lunch today?

먹고 싶은 음식 종류를 말해 봐.

Tell me what kind of food you feel like.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-거든 -geodeun 거든요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought… TOPIK 3 -는구나 -neunguna -구나 (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to imply a certain feeling in a newly learned fact. TOPIK 3 -니 -ni -으니 (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question. TOPIK 3 -던데 -deonde -던데요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to admire something in the past while anticipating the listener's response. TOPIK 3 -자 -ja (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the suggestion to do a certain act together. TOPIK 3 -잖아 -jana -잖아요 (informal addressee-lowering) An expression used to check with or correct the listener on something about a certain situation. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는다 mean in Korean?

-는다 is a sentence ending introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe an event or fact of the present. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -는다?

Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ. The other shape is -ㄴ다, -다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는다 and -ㄴ다?

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 -는다?

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.