-는다고Korean connective · TOPIK 3
-neundago
One connective with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used when implying the purpose or intention of a certain action, or the reason or cause of a certain situation.
어떤 행위의 목적, 의도를 나타내거나 어떤 상황의 이유, 원인을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
바퀴벌레를 잡는다고 살충제를 뿌렸어요.
I sprayed insecticide to catch the cockroach.
민준이가 책을 읽는다고 불을 켜 놓았어요.
Minjun turned on the light to read a book.
딸아이가 생일 선물을 받는다고 들떠 있어요.
My daughter is all excited because she's getting a birthday present.
대화In conversation
승규는 이 시간에 왜 부엌에 있어?
Why is Seunggyu in the kitchen at this hour?
밤늦게 라면을 먹는다고 저러고 있어요.
He's like that because he's eating ramen late at night.
A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding statement is a quotation from a proverb.
흔히 속담에서 ‘그 말처럼’의 뜻을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Mainly used with proverbs and idioms.
주로 속담이나 관용구와 함께 쓴다.
예문Examples
낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다고 말조심하세요.
Be careful with your words, as they say birds hear what's said in the day and mice hear what's said at night.
호랑이도 은혜를 갚는다고 고마운 분들을 잊어서는 안 돼요.
We shouldn't forget those who've helped us, since even a tiger repays kindness.
서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다고 시간이 가면 좋아질 거예요.
As they say, even a dog in a village school learns poetry after three years, so things will get better with time.
대화In conversation
그 사건 민준 씨 때문에 생긴 거죠?
This incident happened because of Minjun, right?
생사람 잡는다고 잘 알지도 못하면서 왜 그래요?
Why are you accusing an innocent person when you don't even know the facts?
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -는다고 mean in Korean?
-는다고 is a connective introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A connective ending used when implying the purpose or intention of a certain action, or the reason or cause of a certain situation. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -는다고?
Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ. The other shape is -다고, -라고, -으라고, -자고 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -는다고 and -다고?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, 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.