-는다고Korean expression · TOPIK 3

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An expression used to pass along what the speaker heard from another person, or to present the subject's thoughts, opinions, etc.

형태Forms

-는다고-ㄴ다고-다고-라고-느냐고-냐고-으냐고-자고-으라고

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

An expression used to pass along what the speaker heard from another person, or to present the subject's thoughts, opinions, etc.

다른 사람에게서 들은 내용을 간접적으로 전달하거나 주어의 생각, 의견 등을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

이 점퍼는 바람을 막는다고 해요.

They say this jacket blocks the wind.

제 친구는 매일 아침 신문을 읽는다고 합니다.

My friend says he reads the newspaper every morning.

한국 사람들은 설날에 떡국을 먹는다고 합니다.

They say Koreans eat rice cake soup on New Year's Day.

대화In conversation

저기 무슨 공사를 하는 거예요?

What construction is going on over there?

서민을 위한 아파트를 짓는다고 해요.

They say they are building apartments for the common people.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 하다 -ge hada An expression used to order someone to do a certain thing or to make something work. TOPIK 3 -고 나다 -go nada An expression used to indicate that the act denoted in the preceding statement has finished. TOPIK 3 -고 말다 -go malda An expression used to state that it is regrettable that the act mentioned in the preceding statement finally occurred. TOPIK 3 -고 싶어 하다 -go sipeo hada An expression used to indicate that the speaker wants to do an action or fall into the state mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 3 -기 위해 -gi wihaeseo -기 위해서 · -기 위한 · 을 위해 An expression used to indicate the intention, which is the goal for doing a certain thing. TOPIK 3 -기는 -gineun -긴 · -기는요 · -긴요 A sentence-final ending used when gently denying or refuting the other person's statement. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는다고 mean in Korean?

-는다고 is a expression introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). An expression used to pass along what the speaker heard from another person, or to present the subject's thoughts, opinions, etc.

When do you use -는다고?

Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ. The other shape is -ㄴ다고, -다고, -라고, -느냐고, -냐고, -으냐고, -자고, -으라고 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는다고 and -ㄴ다고?

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

What TOPIK level is -는다고?

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.