🌉

Background Information: -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데

Keywords
-는데
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 gives background information before the main point.
  • It can mean “and/but/so/when/as for…” depending on context.
  • Use -는데 with action verbs and 있다/없다. Use -(으)ㄴ데 with descriptive verbs/adjectives. Use 인데 with nouns.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear the setup rhythm. Try 비가 오는데 [bi-ga o-neun-de], 날씨가 좋은데 [nal-ssi-ga jo-eun-de], 학생인데 [hak-saeng-in-de], and 어제 갔는데 [eo-je gan-neun-de].
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 is one of the most useful connectors in Korean. It gives background, context, contrast, or a soft lead-in before the next idea.
Think of it as a sentence bridge:
“Here’s the situation/background… now here’s what I want to say.”
  • 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
      • [bi-ga o-neun-de u-sa-ni eop-seo-yo]
      It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella. 🌧️
  • 날씨가 좋은데 산책할까요?
      • [nal-ssi-ga jo-eun-de san-chae-kal-kka-yo]
      The weather is nice, so shall we take a walk? 🚶
  • 저는 학생인데 한국어를 공부해요.
      • [jeo-neun hak-saeng-in-de han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo]
      I’m a student, and I study Korean. 🎓
In English, it may translate as and, but, so, because, when, since, while, or sometimes no word at all. The real job is: set up the next sentence.

🧠 Core Meanings

1. Background before a main point

Use it to introduce the situation.
  • 제가 지금 바쁜데 나중에 전화해도 돼요?
      • [je-ga ji-geum ba-ppeun-de na-jung-e jeon-hwa-hae-do dwae-yo]
      I’m busy now, so can I call later? 📞
  • 오늘 약속이 있는데 내일 만날까요?
      • [o-neul yak-so-gi in-neun-de nae-il man-nal-kka-yo]
      I have plans today, so shall we meet tomorrow? 📅

2. Contrast: “but”

Use it when the second part is different from what you might expect.
  • 이 가방은 예쁜데 너무 비싸요.
      • [i ga-bang-eun ye-ppeun-de neo-mu bi-ssa-yo]
      This bag is pretty, but it’s too expensive. 👜
  • 공부를 많이 했는데 시험이 어려웠어요.
      • [gong-bu-reul ma-ni haen-neun-de si-heo-mi eo-ryeo-wo-sseo-yo]
      I studied a lot, but the test was hard. 📚

3. Reason/context: “so / because”

Use it when the first part explains why the second part happens.
  • 길이 막히는데 지하철을 탈까요?
      • [gi-ri ma-ki-neun-de ji-ha-cheo-reul tal-kka-yo]
      Traffic is bad, so shall we take the subway? 🚇
  • 시간이 없는데 빨리 가요.
      • [si-ga-ni eom-neun-de ppal-li ga-yo]
      We don’t have time, so let’s go quickly. ⏰

4. Soft lead-in

Use it before asking, requesting, or introducing a topic.
  • 질문이 있는데요.
      • [jil-mu-ni in-neun-de-yo]
      I have a question… 🙋
  • 부탁이 있는데요.
      • [bu-ta-gi in-neun-de-yo]
      I have a favor to ask… 🤝

🎨 Formation Rules

1. Action verbs + 는데

  • 가다 [ga-da] → 가는데 [ga-neun-de] = go/going, and/but...
  • 오다 [o-da] → 오는데 [o-neun-de] = come/coming, and/but...
  • 먹다 [meok-da] → 먹는데 [meong-neun-de] = eat/eating, and/but...
  • 읽다 [ik-da] → 읽는데 [ing-neun-de] = read/reading, and/but...

2. Descriptive verbs/adjectives + -(으)ㄴ데

  • Vowel stem + ㄴ데
    • 예쁘다 → 예쁜데
    • 크다 → 큰데
  • Consonant stem + 은데
    • 좋다 → 좋은데
    • 작다 → 작은데
  • ㄹ stem drops ㄹ + ㄴ데
    • 멀다 → 먼데
    • 길다 → 긴데

3. 있다/없다 + 는데

Even though 있다 and 없다 can describe states, they commonly use 는데.
  • 있다 → 있는데
  • 없다 → 없는데
  • 재미있다 → 재미있는데
  • 맛없다 → 맛없는데

4. Nouns + 인데

  • 학생 → 학생인데 = student, and/but...
  • 선생님 → 선생님인데 = teacher, and/but...
  • 친구 → 친구인데 = friend, and/but...
  • 의사 → 의사인데 = doctor, and/but...

5. Past/future/intention + 는데

After tense markers, use 는데.
  • 가다 → 갔는데 = went, and/but...
  • 먹다 → 먹었는데 = ate, and/but...
  • 하다 → 하겠는데 = would/will do, and/but...
  • 가다 → 갈 건데 = I’m going to go, and/but...
⚠️
Spacing warning
  • Connector ending: 가는데, 좋은데, 학생인데 → attached
  • Noun 데 meaning “place/thing/case”: 가는 데, 공부하는 데 → spaced
 
Example:
  • 학교에 가는데 비가 와요. = I’m going to school, and it’s raining.
  • 학교에 가는 데 한 시간 걸려요. = It takes one hour to get to school.

🛠️ How It Works in Real Sentences

Background + request/question

  • 궁금한 게 있는데 물어봐도 돼요?
      • [gung-geum-han ge in-neun-de mu-reo-bwa-do dwae-yo]
      There’s something I’m curious about; may I ask? 🙋
  • 시간이 있는데 커피 마실까요?
      • [si-ga-ni in-neun-de keo-pi ma-sil-kka-yo]
      We have time, so shall we drink coffee? ☕

Contrast

  • 이 옷은 예쁜데 좀 작아요.
      • [i o-seun ye-ppeun-de jom ja-ga-yo]
      This clothing is pretty, but it’s a bit small. 👕
  • 날씨는 좋은데 바람이 많이 불어요.
      • [nal-ssi-neun jo-eun-de ba-ra-mi ma-ni bu-reo-yo]
      The weather is nice, but it’s very windy. 🌬️

Context before suggestion

  • 배고픈데 밥 먹으러 갈까요?
      • [bae-go-peun-de bap meo-geu-reo gal-kka-yo]
      I’m hungry, so shall we go eat? 🍚
  • 비가 오는데 택시 탈까요?
      • [bi-ga o-neun-de taek-si tal-kka-yo]
      It’s raining, so shall we take a taxi? 🚕

Ending a sentence softly: -는데요

  • 저는 잘 모르겠는데요.
      • [jeo-neun jal mo-reu-gen-neun-de-yo]
      I’m not really sure… 🤔
  • 여기 자리가 있는데요.
      • [yeo-gi ja-ri-ga in-neun-de-yo]
      There’s a seat here… 💺

🔍 -는데 vs -(으)ㄴ데 vs 인데

Action verb + 는데

  • 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
      • It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella.

Adjective + -(으)ㄴ데

  • 날씨가 좋은데 산책할까요?
      • The weather is nice, so shall we walk?

Noun + 인데

  • 저는 학생인데 한국어를 공부해요.
      • I’m a student, and I study Korean.
Daily learner tip: First ask: “Is it an action, adjective, or noun?” Then choose 는데, -(으)ㄴ데, or 인데.

🧩 Common Patterns

1. 질문이 있는데요 = I have a question...

  • 질문이 있는데요. = I have a question...
  • 궁금한 게 있는데요. = There’s something I’m curious about...
  • 부탁이 있는데요. = I have a favor to ask...

2. -는데 괜찮아요? = situation..., is it okay?

  • 조금 늦을 것 같은데 괜찮아요? = I think I’ll be a little late; is that okay?
  • 여기 앉고 싶은데 괜찮아요? = I’d like to sit here; is that okay?
  • 지금 전화하고 싶은데 괜찮아요? = I’d like to call now; is that okay?

3. -는데 어떻게 해요? = situation..., what should I do?

  • 길을 잃었는데 어떻게 해요? = I’m lost; what should I do?
  • 숙제를 못 했는데 어떻게 해요? = I couldn’t do the homework; what should I do?
  • 비밀번호를 잊어버렸는데 어떻게 해요? = I forgot my password; what should I do?

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was checked against korean.go.kr. Their guidance explains -(으)ㄴ데/-는데 as a connective ending that first presents a related fact in order to lead into the following clause, as in “my house is close to work, but their house is far.” Korean.go.kr also notes the broad usage: action verbs commonly use -는데, adjectives use -(으)ㄴ데, and 있다/없다 and tense markers use -는데. They also distinguish attached connector -는데 from spaced noun 데.
Practical lesson choice: teach -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 as a flexible background-information connector, then show the common meanings through context.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 좋는데 for adjective “good” → ✅ 좋은데
  • ❌ 예쁘는데 for adjective “pretty” → ✅ 예쁜데
  • ❌ 학생데 → ✅ 학생인데
  • ❌ 재미있는 데 as connector → ✅ 재미있는데
  • ❌ Thinking -는데 always means “but” → ✅ It can be background, contrast, reason, or a soft lead-in.
Bottom line: -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 is a powerful setup connector. It gives the listener the situation first, then leads into the main point: 비가 오는데, 날씨가 좋은데, 질문이 있는데요. 🌉✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions Complete each sentence with the correct -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 form.
1. 오다 → 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 우산이 없어요. 🌧️
Answer
오는데 — action verb + 는데.
2. 좋다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿ 산책할까요? ☀️
Answer
좋은데 — adjective with consonant stem + 은데.
3. 예쁘다 → 이 옷은 ＿＿＿＿ 좀 비싸요. 👕
Answer
예쁜데 — adjective vowel stem + ㄴ데.
4. 학생 → 저는 ＿＿＿＿ 한국어를 공부해요. 🎓
Answer
학생인데 — noun + 인데.
5. 있다 → 질문이 ＿＿＿＿ 물어봐도 돼요? 🙋
Answer
있는데
6. 없다 → 시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 빨리 가요. ⏰
Answer
없는데
7. 멀다 → 집이 ＿＿＿＿ 지하철이 가까워요. 🚇
Answer
먼데 — ㄹ drops + ㄴ데.
8. 가다 → 어제 ＿＿＿＿ 문이 닫혀 있었어요. 🚪
Answer
갔는데 — past tense + 는데.
9. Choose the correct spacing.
① 학교에 가는데 비가 와요.
② 학교에 가는 데 비가 와요.
Answer
① 학교에 가는데 비가 와요. — connector meaning “I’m going to school, and/but it’s raining.”
10. 친구 → 민수 씨는 제 ＿＿＿＿ 같이 일해요. 🤝
Answer
친구인데
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 비가 오다 → to rain
  • 우산 → umbrella
  • 날씨 → weather
  • 산책하다 → to take a walk
  • 옷 → clothing
  • 질문 → question
  • 시간 → time
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 닫히다 → to be closed
Tip 💡 -는데 often says: “Here’s the situation…”
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Background Information: -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데
 
This Practice Hub trains -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데 for action verbs, adjectives, nouns, contrast, background, soft lead-ins, and spacing pitfalls. Each exercise has 10 questions, A–J. 🧩
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder ✅

A. 가다 → 학교에 ＿＿＿＿ 비가 와요.
Answer
가는데
B. 먹다 → 밥을 ＿＿＿＿ 전화가 왔어요.
Answer
먹는데
C. 읽다 → 책을 ＿＿＿＿ 졸렸어요.
Answer
읽는데
D. 좋다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿ 바람이 불어요.
Answer
좋은데
E. 작다 → 방이 ＿＿＿＿ 깨끗해요.
Answer
작은데
F. 크다 → 집이 ＿＿＿＿ 좀 비싸요.
Answer
큰데
G. 길다 → 머리가 ＿＿＿＿ 잘 어울려요.
Answer
긴데
H. 있다 → 시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 커피 마실까요?
Answer
있는데
I. 학생 → 저는 ＿＿＿＿ 일도 해요.
Answer
학생인데
J. 친구 → 민수 씨는 제 ＿＿＿＿ 친절해요.
Answer
친구인데
📚
Form reminder
  • Action verb → 는데
  • Adjective → -(으)ㄴ데
  • 있다/없다 → 는데
  • Noun → 인데
 

Exercise 2 — Background + Question 🙋

A. I have a question; may I ask?
질문이 ＿＿＿＿ 물어봐도 돼요?
Answer
있는데
B. I’m busy now; can I call later?
지금 ＿＿＿＿ 나중에 전화해도 돼요?
Answer
바쁜데
C. I don’t have time; can we talk tomorrow?
시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 내일 이야기해도 돼요?
Answer
없는데
D. I want to sit here; is that okay?
여기 앉고 ＿＿＿＿ 괜찮아요?
Answer
싶은데
E. I have a favor; can you help?
부탁이 ＿＿＿＿ 도와줄 수 있어요?
Answer
있는데
F. I’m hungry; shall we eat?
배가 ＿＿＿＿ 밥 먹을까요?
Answer
고픈데
G. It’s raining; shall we take a taxi?
비가 ＿＿＿＿ 택시 탈까요?
Answer
오는데
H. It’s late; shall we go now?
늦었＿＿＿＿ 이제 갈까요?
Answer
는데 → 늦었는데
I. I’m not sure; can you check?
잘 모르겠＿＿＿＿ 확인해 줄래요?
Answer
는데 → 모르겠는데
J. There is one problem; what should we do?
문제가 하나 ＿＿＿＿ 어떻게 해요?
Answer
있는데
💡
Soft lead-in
-는데요 is especially useful before questions:
 
질문이 있는데요...
I have a question...
 

Exercise 3 — Contrast: “but” 🔄

A. It’s pretty, but expensive.
예쁘＿＿＿＿ 비싸요.
Answer
예쁜데
B. I studied a lot, but the test was hard.
공부를 많이 했＿＿＿＿ 시험이 어려웠어요.
Answer
는데 → 했는데
C. The weather is nice, but windy.
날씨는 좋＿＿＿＿ 바람이 많이 불어요.
Answer
좋은데
D. The room is small, but clean.
방이 작＿＿＿＿ 깨끗해요.
Answer
작은데
E. It’s far, but the subway is convenient.
멀＿＿＿＿ 지하철이 편해요.
Answer
먼데
F. It’s cheap, but quality is good.
싸＿＿＿＿ 품질이 좋아요.
Answer
싼데
G. It’s a weekend, but I’m working.
주말＿＿＿＿ 일해요.
Answer
인데 → 주말인데
H. I went there, but it was closed.
갔＿＿＿＿ 문이 닫혀 있었어요.
Answer
는데 → 갔는데
I. It looks easy, but it’s difficult.
쉬워 보이＿＿＿＿ 어려워요.
Answer
는데 → 보이는데
J. It’s delicious, but too spicy.
맛있＿＿＿＿ 너무 매워요.
Answer
는데 → 맛있는데
📌
Contrast tip
If the second part is unexpected, -는데 often translates naturally as “but.”
 

Exercise 4 — Spacing: -는데 vs 데 🧱

A. I’m going to school, and it’s raining.
학교에 가＿＿＿＿ 비가 와요.
Answer
가는데 — connector, attached.
B. It takes 30 minutes to go to school.
학교에 가는 ＿＿＿＿ 30분 걸려요.
Answer
데 — noun meaning “the act/case of going,” spaced.
C. This tool is useful for studying.
공부하는 ＿＿＿＿ 도움이 돼요.
Answer
데 — “for studying,” spaced.
D. I’m studying, but it’s noisy.
공부하＿＿＿＿ 시끄러워요.
Answer
공부하는데 — connector, attached.
E. I need money to buy a computer.
컴퓨터를 사는 ＿＿＿＿ 돈이 필요해요.
Answer
데 — “for buying,” spaced.
F. I bought a computer, but it’s slow.
컴퓨터를 샀＿＿＿＿ 느려요.
Answer
는데 → 샀는데
G. This place is good for taking pictures.
사진 찍는 ＿＿＿＿ 좋아요.
Answer
데 — “for taking pictures,” spaced.
H. I’m taking pictures, but people are many.
사진을 찍＿＿＿＿ 사람이 많아요.
Answer
찍는데
I. I need time to prepare.
준비하는 ＿＿＿＿ 시간이 필요해요.
Answer
데
J. I’m preparing, but there is a problem.
준비하＿＿＿＿ 문제가 있어요.
Answer
준비하는데
⚠️
Spacing rule
  • Connector → attached: 가는데
  • Noun “데” → spaced: 가는 데
 
If it means “for/in doing something,” it is often spaced.
 

Exercise 5 — Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 좋는데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
좋은데
B. ❌ 예쁘는데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
예쁜데
C. ❌ 학생데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인데
D. ❌ 재미있은데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
재미있는데
E. ❌ 없은데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
없는데
F. ❌ 멀은데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먼데
G. ❌ 갔은데 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
갔는데
H. ❌ Connector spacing: 비가 오는 데 우산이 없어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
I. ❌ Noun spacing: 한국어를 배우는데 시간이 걸려요 if meaning “learning Korean takes time” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
한국어를 배우는 데 시간이 걸려요.
J. ❌ -는데 always means “but” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
It can mean background, contrast, reason, or a soft lead-in depending on context.
🧠
Final checklist
  1. Action? → 는데
  1. Adjective? → -(으)ㄴ데
  1. Noun? → 인데
  1. Meaning “place/thing/case”? → spaced 데
 
🎉 Background-information grammar unlocked. With -는데 / -(으)ㄴ데, you can make Korean flow naturally: 질문이 있는데요, 비가 오는데, 날씨가 좋은데. 🌉✨