🗣️

Dismissive Quotation: -다느니 -다느니

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🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🗣️ -다느니 -다느니 is a dismissive quotation pattern for listing what people are saying, complaining, or fussing about.
  • 🧾 It usually repeats two or more quoted claims, then lands on a judgment like 말이 많다 (there is a lot of talk/complaining), 핑계를 대다 (to make excuses), or 투덜거리다 (to grumble).
  • 🎭 The tone is not neutral. It often sounds like “saying this and that…” with a skeptical, annoyed, or dismissive eyebrow raise.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets anytime and type a Korean word or sentence into the widget to hear it read aloud. This lesson has lots of quoted endings, so your ears deserve snacks. 🍪
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-다느니 -다느니 [-da-neu-ni -da-neu-ni] means “saying that… saying that…” and is used when the speaker is not lovingly organizing everyone’s opinions with a clipboard. 📋 It lists remarks, complaints, excuses, rumors, or claims with a dismissive tone.
It is common when people are making a fuss about practical things: 회의 [hoe-ui] (meeting) 🗓️, 자료 [ja-ryo] (materials) 📄, 일정 [il-jeong] (schedule) 🗓️, 비용 [bi-yong] (cost) 💸, 장소 [jang-so] (place) 📍, 가격 [ga-gyeok] (price) 🏷️, 답변 [dap-byeon] (answer/reply) 💬, 준비 [jun-bi] (preparation) 🎒, 설명 [seol-myeong] (explanation) 🧠, 날씨 [nal-ssi] (weather) 🌦️, or 길 [gil] (road/traffic route) 🛣️.
The people around the noise can be 사람들 [sa-ram-deul] (people) 👥, 친구 [chin-gu] (friend) 🧑‍🤝‍🧑, 동료 [dong-nyo] (colleague) 💼, 팀 [tim] (team) 🧑‍💻, 팀장 [tim-jang] (team lead) 🧭, or 손님 [son-nim] (customer/guest) 🛎️.
  • 계획 [gye-hoek] — plan 🔄
  • 문제 [mun-je] — problem 🚧
  • 비 [bi] — rain 🌧️
  • 이미 [i-mi] — already 🏁
  • 다시 [da-si] — again 🔁
  • 그것 [geu-geot] — that thing / it 👉
  • 걱정하다 [geok-jeong-ha-da] — to worry 😟
  • 지적하다 [ji-jeok-ha-da] — to point out 🧭
  • 말하다 [mal-ha-da] — to say 🗣️

🎨 The Core Dismissive Quotation Family

The basic feel is:
  • A다느니 B다느니 말이 많다 [A-da-neu-ni B-da-neu-ni ma-ri man-ta] — “There is a lot of talk/complaining, saying A and saying B.” 🗣️
  • A다느니 B다느니 핑계를 대다 [A-da-neu-ni B-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-da] — “to make excuses, saying A and saying B.” 🪤
  • A다느니 B다느니 투덜거리다 [A-da-neu-ni B-da-neu-ni tu-deol-geo-ri-da] — “to grumble, saying A and saying B.” 🌧️
  • A다느니 B다느니 따지다 [A-da-neu-ni B-da-neu-ni tta-ji-da] — “to argue/quibble, saying A and saying B.” ⚖️
Useful verbs and adjectives for this lesson:
  • 길다 [gil-da] — to be long 🧵
  • 부족하다 [bu-jok-ha-da] — to be lacking 📉
  • 비싸다 [bi-ssa-da] — to be expensive 💸
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-da] — to be difficult 🧩
  • 멀다 [meol-da] — to be far 📍
  • 복잡하다 [bok-jap-ha-da] — to be complicated 🧶
  • 늦다 [neut-da] — to be late 🕰️
  • 느리다 [neu-ri-da] — to be slow 🐢
  • 막히다 [ma-ki-da] — to be jammed, especially traffic 🚗
  • 오다 [o-da] — to come; for rain/snow, to fall 🌧️
  • 바꾸다 [ba-kku-da] — to change 🔄
  • 미루다 [mi-ru-da] — to postpone 📆
  • 만들다 [man-deul-da] — to make 🛠️
  • 끝나다 [kkeut-na-da] — to end 🏁
  • 하겠다 [ha-get-da] — will do / intend to do 💪
  • 아니다 [a-ni-da] — to not be 🚫

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

  1. 사람들이 회의가 길다느니 자료가 부족하다느니 말이 많았어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri hoe-ui-ga gil-da-neu-ni ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ma-ri ma-na-sseo-yo]
People had a lot to say, complaining that the meeting was long and the materials were lacking. 📄
Here, 회의가 길다 (the meeting is long) + 자료가 부족하다 (the materials are lacking) become a dismissive list of complaints.
  1. 친구가 비가 온다느니 길이 막힌다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[chin-gu-ga bi-ga on-da-neu-ni gi-ri ma-kin-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
My friend made excuses, saying it was raining and the traffic was jammed. 🌧️
Use present verb quotation forms like 온다느니 (saying it comes/falls) and 막힌다느니 (saying it is jammed).
  1. 동료가 일정이 어렵다느니 장소가 멀다느니 계속 투덜거렸어요.
[dong-nyo-ga il-jeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni jang-so-ga meol-da-neu-ni gye-sok tu-deol-geo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
A colleague kept grumbling that the schedule was difficult and the place was far. 📍
계속 [gye-sok] means “continuously/kept,” which fits grumbling nicely.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Use the quoted statement form, then attach 느니 [neu-ni]. Repeat it for a list.
  • Descriptive verbs/adjectives: 길다 → 길다느니 (saying it is long) 🧵
  • Present action verbs: 오다 → 온다느니 (saying it comes/falls) 🌧️
  • Present action verbs with consonant stems: 막히다 → 막힌다느니 (saying it is jammed) 🚗
  • Past forms: 끝났다 → 끝났다느니 (saying it ended) 🏁
  • Intention/future with -겠다: 하겠다 → 하겠다느니 (saying someone will do it) 💪
  • Noun + 이다: 문제이다 → 문제라느니 (saying it is a problem) 🚧
  • Noun + 아니다: 문제가 아니다 → 문제가 아니라느니 (saying it is not a problem) ✅
No scary exception monster here — just quoted statement forms wearing a dismissive little hat. 🎩

📚 Cross-check note

The quoted-ending forms and vocabulary meanings in this lesson were checked against the National Institute of Korean Language resources at korean.go.kr. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -다느니 -다느니 — dismissive, often annoyed or skeptical: “saying this and that…” 🎭
  • -다고 하며 [-da-go ha-myeo] — more neutral/written: “saying that…” 🖋️
  • -다고 하고 [-da-go ha-go] — more neutral/everyday: “says that…and…” 🗣️
Use -다느니 -다느니 when the speaker wants the list to sound like noise, excuses, quibbling, or fuss.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 회의가 길다느니. → ✅ 회의가 길다느니 말이 많았어요. (This pattern usually needs a follow-up judgment like “there was a lot of talk.”) 🧾
  • ❌ Using -다느니 for a calm report → ✅ Use -다고 해요 or -다고 하고 for neutral reporting. 🕊️
  • ❌ 비가 오다느니 → ✅ 비가 온다느니 (Present action verbs use -ㄴ/는다 before 느니.) 🌧️
  • ❌ 일정이 어렵는다느니 → ✅ 일정이 어렵다느니 (Descriptive verbs/adjectives keep -다.) 🧩
  • ❌ 문제이다느니 → ✅ 문제라느니 (Noun + 이다 commonly becomes -라느니.) 🚧
🎉 Once you hear -다느니 -다느니, imagine someone waving away a pile of excuses like paper confetti. You are not just quoting — you are quoting with attitude. 🗂️✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the dismissive quoted form that fits the English meaning. Say the full Korean sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle to check the form and the tone.
1. 사람들이 회의가 ＿＿＿＿ 자료가 부족하다느니 말이 많았어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri hoe-ui-ga ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ma-ri ma-na-sseo-yo]
People complained that the meeting was long and the materials were lacking. 📄
Answer
길다느니 — 길다 is descriptive, so it stays 길다 + 느니. 🧵
2. 친구가 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 길이 막힌다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[chin-gu-ga bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ gi-ri ma-kin-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
My friend made excuses, saying it was raining and the traffic was jammed. 🌧️
Answer
온다느니 — 오다 is an action verb, so present quotation uses 온다 + 느니. 🌧️
3. 동료가 일정이 ＿＿＿＿ 장소가 멀다느니 계속 투덜거렸어요.
[dong-nyo-ga il-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿ jang-so-ga meol-da-neu-ni gye-sok tu-deol-geo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
A colleague kept grumbling that the schedule was difficult and the place was far. 📍
Answer
어렵다느니 — Descriptive 어렵다 keeps 다 before 느니. 🧩
4. 팀이 비용이 ＿＿＿＿ 답변이 느리다느니 걱정했어요.
[ti-mi bi-yong-i ＿＿＿＿ dap-byeo-ni neu-ri-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
The team worried, saying the cost was expensive and the reply was slow. 💸
Answer
비싸다느니 — 비싸다 is descriptive, so use 비싸다느니. 🏷️
5. 팀장이 계획을 ＿＿＿＿ 회의를 미룬다느니 말했어요.
[tim-jang-i gye-hoe-geul ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-reul mi-run-da-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
The team lead said this and that about changing the plan and postponing the meeting. 🔄
Answer
바꾼다느니 — 바꾸다 becomes present quoted 바꾼다 + 느니. 🔄
6. 손님이 가격이 ＿＿＿＿ 설명이 복잡하다느니 따졌어요.
[son-ni-mi ga-gyeo-gi ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-i bok-ja-pa-da-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The customer argued that the price was expensive and the explanation was complicated. 🧾
Answer
비싸다느니 — Again, descriptive 비싸다 keeps the 다. 💸
7. 사람들이 준비가 ＿＿＿＿ 일정이 늦다느니 야단이었어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri jun-bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-i neut-da-neu-ni ya-da-ni-eo-sseo-yo]
People made a fuss, saying the preparation was lacking and the schedule was late. 🎒
Answer
부족하다느니 — 부족하다 is descriptive: 부족하다 + 느니. 📉
8. 동료가 자료를 다시 ＿＿＿＿ 회의를 미룬다느니 했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga ja-ryo-reul da-si ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-reul mi-run-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about making the materials again and postponing the meeting. 🛠️
Answer
만든다느니 — 만들다 → 만든다 + 느니. 🛠️
9. 친구가 회의가 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 말했어요.
[chin-gu-ga hoe-ui-ga i-mi ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
My friend said this and that about the meeting already being over and it not being a problem. 🏁
Answer
끝났다느니 — Past 끝났다 takes 느니: 끝났다느니. 🏁
10. 팀이 그것은 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 계속 따졌어요.
[ti-mi geu-geo-seun ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni gye-sok tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The team kept arguing, saying it was a problem and then saying it was not a problem. 🚧
Answer
문제라느니 — Noun + 이다 commonly becomes -라느니. 🚧
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 자료 → materials
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 비용 → cost
  • 장소 → place
  • 가격 → price
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 준비 → preparation
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 문제 → problem
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 부족하다 → to be lacking
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 느리다 → to be slow
  • 오다 → to come/fall
  • 막히다 → to be jammed
  • 바꾸다 → to change
  • 미루다 → to postpone
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 끝나다 → to end
Tip 💡 Descriptive verbs keep 다; present action verbs usually become -ㄴ/는다느니.
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! Your dismissive eyebrow is warming up beautifully. 🎭
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Dismissive Quotation: -다느니 -다느니
 
Welcome to your dismissive quotation gym. 🏋️‍♀️ You will practice turning plain statements into -다느니 -다느니 lists, then pairing them with natural follow-up verbs like “complained,” “made excuses,” and “argued.” By the end, your Korean will be able to quote chaos with style. 🎭
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a full sentence.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct quoted form. Read the Korean sentence aloud, notice whether the tone is complaint, excuse, or argument, then open the Answer toggle.
 
Reference Hub — Core Forms 🧭
  • 길다 → 길다느니 (saying it is long)
  • 오다 → 온다느니 (saying it comes/falls)
  • 막히다 → 막힌다느니 (saying it is jammed)
  • 끝났다 → 끝났다느니 (saying it ended)
  • 하겠다 → 하겠다느니 (saying someone will do it)
  • 문제이다 → 문제라느니 (saying it is a problem)
 
Reference Hub — Tone Partners 🎭
  • 말이 많다 → there is a lot of talk/complaining
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 투덜거리다 → to grumble
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
 

Exercise 1 — Descriptive Claims 🧩

A. 사람들이 회의가 ＿＿＿＿ 자료가 부족하다느니 말이 많았어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri hoe-ui-ga ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ma-ri ma-na-sseo-yo]
People complained that the meeting was long and the materials were lacking. 📄
Answer
길다느니 — Descriptive 길다 keeps 다. 🧵
B. 팀이 비용이 ＿＿＿＿ 일정이 어렵다느니 걱정했어요.
[ti-mi bi-yong-i ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
The team worried, saying the cost was expensive and the schedule was difficult. 💸
Answer
비싸다느니 — 비싸다 is descriptive, so use 비싸다느니. 🏷️
C. 동료가 설명이 ＿＿＿＿ 답변이 느리다느니 투덜거렸어요.
[dong-nyo-ga seol-myeong-i ＿＿＿＿ dap-byeo-ni neu-ri-da-neu-ni tu-deol-geo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
A colleague grumbled that the explanation was complicated and the reply was slow. 🧠
Answer
복잡하다느니 — Descriptive form: 복잡하다 + 느니. 🧶
D. 친구가 장소가 ＿＿＿＿ 비용이 비싸다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[chin-gu-ga jang-so-ga ＿＿＿＿ bi-yong-i bi-ssa-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
My friend made excuses, saying the place was far and the cost was expensive. 💸
Answer
멀다느니 — 멀다 stays 멀다 before 느니. 📍
E. 팀장이 준비가 ＿＿＿＿ 계획이 느리다느니 지적했어요.
[tim-jang-i jun-bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ gye-hoe-gi neu-ri-da-neu-ni ji-jeok-hae-sseo-yo]
The team lead pointed out that the preparation was lacking and the plan was slow. 🎒
Answer
부족하다느니 — 부족하다 + 느니. 📉
F. 손님이 가격이 ＿＿＿＿ 설명이 어렵다느니 따졌어요.
[son-ni-mi ga-gyeo-gi ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The customer argued that the price was expensive and the explanation was difficult. 🧾
Answer
비싸다느니 — This is a dismissive complaint list, not a neutral report. 💸
G. 사람들이 일정이 ＿＿＿＿ 회의가 길다느니 야단이었어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri il-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-ga gil-da-neu-ni ya-da-ni-eo-sseo-yo]
People made a fuss, saying the schedule was late and the meeting was long. 🕰️
Answer
늦다느니 — Descriptive 늦다 keeps 다. 🕰️
H. 동료가 답변이 ＿＿＿＿ 자료가 부족하다느니 말했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga dap-byeo-ni ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about the reply being slow and the materials being lacking. 💬
Answer
느리다느니 — 느리다 + 느니. 🐢
I. 팀이 계획이 ＿＿＿＿ 준비가 부족하다느니 걱정했어요.
[ti-mi gye-hoe-gi ＿＿＿＿ jun-bi-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
The team worried, saying the plan was complicated and the preparation was lacking. 🧶
Answer
복잡하다느니 — Descriptive adjective-style predicate: 복잡하다느니. 🧠
J. 친구가 장소가 ＿＿＿＿ 비용이 비싸다느니 계속 말했어요.
[chin-gu-ga jang-so-ga ＿＿＿＿ bi-yong-i bi-ssa-da-neu-ni gye-sok ma-rae-sseo-yo]
My friend kept saying the place was far and the cost was expensive. 📍
Answer
멀다느니 — The repeated 느니 makes the list sound dismissive. 🎭
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 사람들 → people
  • 팀 → team
  • 동료 → colleague
  • 친구 → friend
  • 팀장 → team lead
  • 손님 → customer/guest
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 자료 → materials
  • 비용 → cost
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 장소 → place
  • 준비 → preparation
  • 계획 → plan
  • 가격 → price
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 부족하다 → to be lacking
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 느리다 → to be slow
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 말이 많다 → there is a lot of talk/complaining
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 투덜거리다 → to grumble
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
Tip 💡 Descriptive verbs/adjectives keep the dictionary-looking 다: 길다느니, 비싸다느니.

Exercise 2 — Present Action Claims 🌧️

A. 친구가 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 길이 막힌다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[chin-gu-ga bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ gi-ri ma-kin-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
My friend made excuses, saying it was raining and the traffic was jammed. 🌧️
Answer
온다느니 — 오다 → 온다 + 느니. 🌧️
B. 동료가 길이 ＿＿＿＿ 회의가 늦다느니 말했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga gi-ri ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-ga neut-da-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about traffic being jammed and the meeting being late. 🚗
Answer
막힌다느니 — Present action/passive-style verb 막히다 uses 막힌다느니. 🚗
C. 팀장이 계획을 ＿＿＿＿ 자료를 만든다느니 했어요.
[tim-jang-i gye-hoe-geul ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-reul man-deun-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
The team lead said this and that about changing the plan and making materials. 🔄
Answer
바꾼다느니 — 바꾸다 → 바꾼다느니. 🔄
D. 팀이 회의를 ＿＿＿＿ 답변을 바꾼다느니 계속 말했어요.
[ti-mi hoe-ui-reul ＿＿＿＿ dap-byeo-neul ba-kkun-da-neu-ni gye-sok ma-rae-sseo-yo]
The team kept saying this and that about postponing the meeting and changing the reply. 📆
Answer
미룬다느니 — 미루다 → 미룬다느니. 📆
E. 동료가 자료를 다시 ＿＿＿＿ 설명을 바꾼다느니 했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga ja-ryo-reul da-si ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-eul ba-kkun-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about making the materials again and changing the explanation. 🛠️
Answer
만든다느니 — 만들다 → 만든다느니. 🛠️
F. 사람들이 답변을 ＿＿＿＿ 일정을 미룬다느니 야단이었어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri dap-byeo-neul ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-eul mi-run-da-neu-ni ya-da-ni-eo-sseo-yo]
People made a fuss, saying the reply would change and the schedule would be postponed. 💬
Answer
바꾼다느니 — Use the present quoted action form: 바꾼다느니. 🔄
G. 친구가 자료를 ＿＿＿＿ 회의를 미룬다느니 투덜거렸어요.
[chin-gu-ga ja-ryo-reul ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-reul mi-run-da-neu-ni tu-deol-geo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
My friend grumbled about making materials and postponing the meeting. 📄
Answer
만든다느니 — Present action quotation: 만든다느니. 🛠️
H. 손님이 답변을 ＿＿＿＿ 가격이 비싸다느니 따졌어요.
[son-ni-mi dap-byeo-neul ＿＿＿＿ ga-gyeo-gi bi-ssa-da-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The customer argued, saying the reply was being changed and the price was expensive. 🏷️
Answer
바꾼다느니 — 바꾸다 becomes 바꾼다느니. 🔄
I. 팀이 일정을 ＿＿＿＿ 계획을 바꾼다느니 걱정했어요.
[ti-mi il-jeong-eul ＿＿＿＿ gye-hoe-geul ba-kkun-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
The team worried, saying the schedule would be postponed and the plan would change. 📆
Answer
미룬다느니 — 미루다 → 미룬다느니. 🗓️
J. 사람들이 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 장소가 멀다느니 말이 많았어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jang-so-ga meol-da-neu-ni ma-ri ma-na-sseo-yo]
People complained, saying it was raining and the place was far. 🌧️
Answer
온다느니 — For rain, Korean uses 비가 오다; present quote is 온다느니. ☔
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 동료 → colleague
  • 팀장 → team lead
  • 팀 → team
  • 사람들 → people
  • 손님 → customer/guest
  • 비 → rain
  • 길 → road/traffic route
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 계획 → plan
  • 자료 → materials
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 가격 → price
  • 장소 → place
  • 오다 → to come/fall
  • 막히다 → to be jammed
  • 바꾸다 → to change
  • 미루다 → to postpone
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 말이 많다 → there is a lot of talk/complaining
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 투덜거리다 → to grumble
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
Tip 💡 Present action verbs use -ㄴ/는다느니: 온다느니, 미룬다느니.

Exercise 3 — Past, Intention, and Noun Claims 🏁

A. 친구가 회의가 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 말했어요.
[chin-gu-ga hoe-ui-ga i-mi ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
My friend said this and that about the meeting already being over and it not being a problem. 🏁
Answer
끝났다느니 — Past quoted form: 끝났다 + 느니. 🏁
B. 팀장이 자료를 다시 ＿＿＿＿ 회의를 미루겠다느니 했어요.
[tim-jang-i ja-ryo-reul da-si ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-reul mi-ru-get-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
The team lead said this and that about making the materials again and postponing the meeting. 🛠️
Answer
만들겠다느니 — Intention/future 만들겠다 takes 느니. 💪
C. 팀이 그것은 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 계속 따졌어요.
[ti-mi geu-geo-seun ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni gye-sok tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The team kept arguing, saying it was a problem and saying it was not a problem. 🚧
Answer
문제라느니 — Noun + 이다 becomes -라느니. 🚧
D. 동료가 답변을 ＿＿＿＿ 설명을 바꾸겠다느니 했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga dap-byeo-neul ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-eul ba-kku-get-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about making the reply and changing the explanation. 💬
Answer
만들겠다느니 — 하겠다-style intention can attach to action verbs: 만들겠다느니. 🛠️
E. 사람들이 일정이 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 준비가 부족하다느니 야단이었어요.
[sa-ram-deu-ri il-jeong-i i-mi ＿＿＿＿ jun-bi-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ya-da-ni-eo-sseo-yo]
People made a fuss, saying the schedule had already ended and the preparation was lacking. 🗓️
Answer
끝났다느니 — Past form 끝났다느니 works for “saying it ended.” 🏁
F. 손님이 그것은 ＿＿＿＿ 가격이 비싸다느니 따졌어요.
[son-ni-mi geu-geo-seun ＿＿＿＿ ga-gyeo-gi bi-ssa-da-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
The customer argued, saying it was a problem and the price was expensive. 🧾
Answer
문제라느니 — 문제이다 → 문제라느니. 🚧
G. 팀이 회의를 ＿＿＿＿ 자료를 만들겠다느니 걱정했어요.
[ti-mi hoe-ui-reul ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-reul man-deul-get-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
The team worried, saying they would postpone the meeting and make materials. 📆
Answer
미루겠다느니 — 미루겠다 + 느니. 🗓️
H. 친구가 그것은 ＿＿＿＿ 이미 끝났다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[chin-gu-ga geu-geo-seun ＿＿＿＿ i-mi kkeut-na-tta-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
My friend made excuses, saying it was not a problem and it was already over. ✅
Answer
문제가 아니라느니 — Noun + 아니다 becomes 아니라느니. ✅
I. 동료가 설명을 ＿＿＿＿ 답변을 바꾸겠다느니 말했어요.
[dong-nyo-ga seol-myeong-eul ＿＿＿＿ dap-byeo-neul ba-kku-get-da-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
A colleague said this and that about making an explanation and changing the reply. 🧠
Answer
만들겠다느니 — Intention/future quote: 만들겠다느니. 💪
J. 팀장이 계획을 ＿＿＿＿ 일정이 어렵다느니 지적했어요.
[tim-jang-i gye-hoe-geul ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni ji-jeok-hae-sseo-yo]
The team lead pointed out that the plan would change and the schedule was difficult. 🔄
Answer
바꾸겠다느니 — 바꾸겠다 + 느니. 🔄
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 팀장 → team lead
  • 팀 → team
  • 동료 → colleague
  • 사람들 → people
  • 손님 → customer/guest
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 자료 → materials
  • 문제 → problem
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 준비 → preparation
  • 가격 → price
  • 계획 → plan
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 미루다 → to postpone
  • 바꾸다 → to change
  • 아니다 → to not be
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 부족하다 → to be lacking
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 말하다 → to say
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 지적하다 → to point out
Tip 💡 Past -았다/었다 and intention -겠다 can both take 느니.

Exercise 4 — Match the Tone Partner 🎭

A. 사람들이 회의가 길다느니 자료가 부족하다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-ram-deu-ri hoe-ui-ga gil-da-neu-ni ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
People had a lot to say, complaining that the meeting was long and the materials were lacking. 🗣️
Answer
말이 많았어요 — This is the classic “there was a lot of talk/complaining” landing. 🧾
B. 친구가 비가 온다느니 길이 막힌다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga bi-ga on-da-neu-ni gi-ri ma-kin-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
My friend made excuses, saying it was raining and the traffic was jammed. 🌧️
Answer
핑계를 댔어요 — Weather + traffic excuses pair naturally with 핑계를 대다. 🪤
C. 동료가 일정이 어렵다느니 장소가 멀다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[dong-nyo-ga il-jeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni jang-so-ga meol-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
A colleague grumbled that the schedule was difficult and the place was far. 📍
Answer
투덜거렸어요 — 투덜거리다 means “to grumble.” 🌧️
D. 손님이 가격이 비싸다느니 설명이 복잡하다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[son-ni-mi ga-gyeo-gi bi-ssa-da-neu-ni seol-myeong-i bok-ja-pa-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
The customer argued that the price was expensive and the explanation was complicated. 🧾
Answer
따졌어요 — 따지다 fits arguing or quibbling. ⚖️
E. 팀이 준비가 부족하다느니 일정이 늦다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[ti-mi jun-bi-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni il-jeong-i neut-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
The team made a fuss, saying preparation was lacking and the schedule was late. 🎒
Answer
야단이었어요 — 야단이다 can mean “to be in an uproar / make a fuss.” 📣
F. 팀장이 계획을 바꾼다느니 회의를 미룬다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[tim-jang-i gye-hoe-geul ba-kkun-da-neu-ni hoe-ui-reul mi-run-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
The team lead said this and that about changing the plan and postponing the meeting. 🔄
Answer
말했어요 — This is lighter than grumbling; it simply reports the noisy list. 🗣️
G. 친구가 이미 끝났다느니 문제가 아니라느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga i-mi kkeut-na-tta-neu-ni mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
My friend made excuses, saying it was already over and not a problem. ✅
Answer
핑계를 댔어요 — The speaker treats those claims as excuses. 🪤
H. 동료가 답변이 느리다느니 설명이 어렵다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[dong-nyo-ga dap-byeo-ni neu-ri-da-neu-ni seol-myeong-i eo-ryeop-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
A colleague kept complaining that the reply was slow and the explanation was difficult. 💬
Answer
계속 말했어요 — 계속 adds “kept,” which supports the dismissive tone. 🌀
I. 사람들이 자료를 만든다느니 계획을 바꾼다느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-ram-deu-ri ja-ryo-reul man-deun-da-neu-ni gye-hoe-geul ba-kkun-da-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
People had a lot to say about making materials and changing the plan. 🛠️
Answer
말이 많았어요 — It frames the listed remarks as chatter or fuss. 📋
J. 손님이 문제라느니 문제가 아니라느니 ＿＿＿＿.
[son-ni-mi mun-je-ra-neu-ni mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
The customer argued back and forth, saying it was a problem and not a problem. 🚧
Answer
따졌어요 — Contradictory quibbling fits 따지다. ⚖️
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 사람들 → people
  • 친구 → friend
  • 동료 → colleague
  • 손님 → customer/guest
  • 팀 → team
  • 팀장 → team lead
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 자료 → materials
  • 비 → rain
  • 길 → road/traffic route
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 장소 → place
  • 가격 → price
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 준비 → preparation
  • 계획 → plan
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 문제 → problem
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 부족하다 → to be lacking
  • 오다 → to come/fall
  • 막히다 → to be jammed
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 느리다 → to be slow
  • 바꾸다 → to change
  • 미루다 → to postpone
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 아니다 → to not be
  • 말이 많다 → there is a lot of talk/complaining
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 투덜거리다 → to grumble
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
  • 말하다 → to say
Tip 💡 The follow-up verb tells you how dismissive the speaker feels: excuse, grumble, fuss, or argue.

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 길이 막힌다느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ gi-ri ma-kin-da-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
They made excuses, saying it was raining and the traffic was jammed. 🌧️
Answer
온다느니 — ❌ 오다느니 → ✅ 온다느니. Present action verbs use -ㄴ/는다. ☔
B. 일정이 ＿＿＿＿ 장소가 멀다느니 투덜거렸어요.
[il-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿ jang-so-ga meol-da-neu-ni tu-deol-geo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
They grumbled that the schedule was difficult and the place was far. 📍
Answer
어렵다느니 — ❌ 어렵는다느니 → ✅ 어렵다느니. Descriptive predicates keep 다. 🧩
C. 그것은 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 따졌어요.
[geu-geo-seun ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
They argued, saying it was a problem and it was not a problem. 🚧
Answer
문제라느니 — ❌ 문제이다느니 → ✅ 문제라느니. Noun + 이다 uses -라느니. 🚧
D. 회의가 ＿＿＿＿ 자료가 부족하다느니 말이 많았어요.
[hoe-ui-ga ＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-ga bu-jok-ha-da-neu-ni ma-ri ma-na-sseo-yo]
There was a lot of talk that the meeting was long and the materials were lacking. 📄
Answer
길다느니 — ❌ Do not leave it as 회의가 길다느니. alone; use a follow-up like 말이 많았어요. 🧾
E. 계획을 ＿＿＿＿ 회의를 미룬다느니 했어요.
[gye-hoe-geul ＿＿＿＿ hoe-ui-reul mi-run-da-neu-ni hae-sseo-yo]
They said this and that about changing the plan and postponing the meeting. 🔄
Answer
바꾼다느니 — ❌ 바꾸다느니 → ✅ 바꾼다느니. Present action quote form matters. 🔄
F. 답변을 ＿＿＿＿ 설명을 바꾸겠다느니 말했어요.
[dap-byeo-neul ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-eul ba-kku-get-da-neu-ni ma-rae-sseo-yo]
They said this and that about making a reply and changing the explanation. 💬
Answer
만들겠다느니 — -겠다느니 quotes intention or future-ish claims. 💪
G. 가격이 ＿＿＿＿ 설명이 복잡하다느니 따졌어요.
[ga-gyeo-gi ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-i bok-ja-pa-da-neu-ni tta-jyeo-sseo-yo]
They argued that the price was expensive and the explanation was complicated. 🏷️
Answer
비싸다느니 — The tone is dismissive; for neutral reporting, use 비싸다고 해요 instead. 🕊️
H. 자료를 ＿＿＿＿ 일정을 미룬다느니 야단이었어요.
[ja-ryo-reul ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-eul mi-run-da-neu-ni ya-da-ni-eo-sseo-yo]
People made a fuss about making materials and postponing the schedule. 🛠️
Answer
만든다느니 — 만들다 → 만든다느니; the ㄹ drops before ㄴ. 🛠️
I. 준비가 ＿＿＿＿ 일정이 늦다느니 걱정했어요.
[jun-bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-i neut-da-neu-ni geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
They worried, saying preparation was lacking and the schedule was late. 🎒
Answer
부족하다느니 — Descriptive 부족하다 stays 부족하다 before 느니. 📉
J. 회의가 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 문제가 아니라느니 핑계를 댔어요.
[hoe-ui-ga i-mi ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ga a-ni-ra-neu-ni ping-gye-reul dae-sseo-yo]
They made excuses, saying the meeting was already over and it was not a problem. 🏁
Answer
끝났다느니 — Past form + 느니: 끝났다느니. 🏁
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 비 → rain
  • 길 → road/traffic route
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 장소 → place
  • 문제 → problem
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 자료 → materials
  • 계획 → plan
  • 답변 → answer/reply
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 가격 → price
  • 준비 → preparation
  • 오다 → to come/fall
  • 막히다 → to be jammed
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 아니다 → to not be
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 부족하다 → to be lacking
  • 바꾸다 → to change
  • 미루다 → to postpone
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 핑계를 대다 → to make excuses
  • 투덜거리다 → to grumble
  • 따지다 → to argue/quibble
  • 말이 많다 → there is a lot of talk/complaining
  • 야단이다 → to make a fuss
  • 걱정하다 → to worry
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: -다느니 is attitude-loaded. If you only want a calm quote, choose -다고 해요.
 
🎉 You finished the full set! Now you can spot when Korean is not just reporting speech, but side-eyeing a whole parade of excuses, complaints, and “well actually…” energy. 🎭🗣️