➕

On top of that: -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가

Keywords
데다가
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
➕
TL;DR 🦄
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가 means on top of that / in addition to / besides the fact that...
  • It stacks one fact on another, usually in the same direction: good + good, bad + bad, or reason + extra reason.
  • 이 가방은 비싼 데다가 무거워요. = This bag is expensive, and on top of that, it is heavy.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 비싼 데다가, 비가 오는 데다가, 학생인 데다가, and 친절한 데다가. Listen for 데다가 as “on top of that.”
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는 데다가 is the grammar of adding one more fact.
 
It says:
 
A is true, and on top of that, B is also true.
 
Besides A, B too.
 
Not only A-ish, but also B-ish.
 
Examples:
  • 이 식당은 맛있는 데다가 가격도 싸요.
      • [i sik-dang-eun ma-si-neun de-da-ga ga-gyeok-do ssa-yo]
      This restaurant is delicious, and on top of that, it is cheap too. 🍽️
  • 오늘은 비가 오는 데다가 바람도 많이 불어요.
      • [o-neu-reun bi-ga o-neun de-da-ga ba-ram-do ma-ni bu-reo-yo]
      Today it is raining, and on top of that, the wind is blowing a lot too. 🌧️
  • 길이 막히는 데다가 버스도 늦게 왔어요.
      • [gi-ri ma-ki-neun de-da-ga beo-seu-do neut-ge wa-sseo-yo]
      The traffic was bad, and on top of that, the bus came late too. 🚌
 
The feeling is often stacked evidence:
  • This place is good: tasty + cheap.
  • This situation is bad: rainy + windy.
  • This explanation is stronger: tired + headache.

🧠 What Is 데다가 Doing?

데 points to a situation/fact, and 다가 adds something onto it.
 
So the structure feels like:
 
Fact A + on top of that + Fact B
 
Tiny map:
  • 비싸다 = to be expensive
  • 비싼 데다가 = on top of being expensive
  • 비싼 데다가 무거워요 = expensive, and on top of that, heavy
 
Common chunks:
  • 비싼 데다가 — on top of being expensive
  • 먼 데다가 — on top of being far
  • 비가 오는 데다가 — on top of it raining
  • 길이 막히는 데다가 — on top of traffic being bad
  • 학생인 데다가 — on top of being a student
  • 피곤한 데다가 — on top of being tired

🧩 Formation Rules

1. Action verb + -는 데다가

Use this when the first stacked fact is an action, event, or process.
 
  • 비가 오다 → 비가 오는 데다가 — on top of it raining
  • 길이 막히다 → 길이 막히는 데다가 — on top of traffic being blocked
  • 사람이 늘다 → 사람이 느는 데다가 — on top of people increasing
  • 일이 많아지다 → 일이 많아지는 데다가 — on top of work increasing
 

2. Descriptive verb/adjective + -(으)ㄴ 데다가

Use this when the first stacked fact is a quality or state.
 
  • 비싸다 → 비싼 데다가 — on top of being expensive
  • 멀다 → 먼 데다가 — on top of being far
  • 좋다 → 좋은 데다가 — on top of being good
  • 작다 → 작은 데다가 — on top of being small
  • 친절하다 → 친절한 데다가 — on top of being kind
 

3. Noun + 인 데다가

Use this when the first fact is a noun identity/category.
 
  • 학생 → 학생인 데다가 — on top of being a student
  • 전문가 → 전문가인 데다가 — on top of being an expert
  • 인기 상품 → 인기 상품인 데다가 — on top of being a popular item
 

4. Shorter form: 데다

You may also see -는 데다 or -(으)ㄴ 데다 without 가.
 
  • 비가 오는 데다 바람도 불어요.
      • It is raining, and on top of that, the wind is blowing too.
 

5. Past/completed first fact

For completed actions, Korean often uses a past noun-modifying form.
 
  • 이미 많이 먹은 데다가 디저트도 먹었어요.
      • I had already eaten a lot, and on top of that, I ate dessert too.
  • 잠도 못 잔 데다가 아침도 못 먹었어요.
      • On top of not sleeping, I could not eat breakfast either.

🛠️ How It Works in Sentences

Good + good praise

  • 이 카페는 조용한 데다가 커피도 맛있어요.
      • This café is quiet, and on top of that, the coffee is good too. ☕
  • 그 선생님은 친절한 데다가 설명도 잘하세요.
      • That teacher is kind, and on top of that, explains well. 👩‍🏫
 

Bad + bad complaint

  • 방이 좁은 데다가 창문도 없어요.
      • The room is small, and on top of that, it has no window. 🪟
  • 날씨가 추운 데다가 바람도 많이 불어요.
      • The weather is cold, and on top of that, the wind is blowing a lot. 🥶
 

Reason + extra reason

  • 피곤한 데다가 머리도 아파서 일찍 집에 갔어요.
      • I was tired, and on top of that my head hurt, so I went home early. 😵
  • 일이 많은 데다가 시간도 부족해요.
      • There is a lot of work, and on top of that, there is not enough time. ⏰
 

Formal/report style

  • 절차가 복잡한 데다가 비용도 많이 듭니다.
      • The procedure is complicated, and in addition, it costs a lot. 📊
  • 자료가 정확한 데다가 이해하기도 쉬워요.
      • The material is accurate, and on top of that, it is easy to understand. 🧾

🔍 Meaning Contrast

-(으)ㄴ/는 데다가

Focus: one fact stacked on another.
  • 비싼 데다가 멀어요.
      • It is expensive, and on top of that, far.
 

게다가

Focus: furthermore / besides, often starting a new sentence.
  • 비싸요. 게다가 멀어요.
      • It is expensive. Furthermore, it is far.
 

-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라

Focus: clear “not only A but also B,” often more structured/formal.
  • 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 멀어요.
      • It is not only expensive but also far.
 

-고

Focus: simple “and.”
  • 비싸고 멀어요.
      • It is expensive and far.
 

-지만

Focus: contrast.
  • 비싸지만 좋아요.
      • It is expensive, but good.
 
Shortcut:
  • stacking facts → 데다가
  • furthermore as a new sentence → 게다가
  • not only A but also B → 뿐만 아니라
  • simple and → -고
  • but/however → 지만

📚 Cross-check note

➕
In addition to: -는 데다가
🔗
Not only... but also: -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라
➕
Furthermore: 뿐만 아니라 / 게다가

🪞 Synonym & Usage Alert

Possible English translations:
  • on top of that
  • in addition to
  • besides the fact that
  • not to mention
  • and what’s more
  • moreover
 
Useful chunks:
  • 비싼 데다가 — expensive, and on top of that
  • 맛있는 데다가 — delicious, and on top of that
  • 비가 오는 데다가 — it is raining, and on top of that
  • 학생인 데다가 — on top of being a student
  • 바쁜 데다가 — busy, and on top of that
 
Tone note:
  • 데다가 is practical and natural in daily Korean.
  • It is especially good for praise, complaints, excuses, reviews, and explanations.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 비싸는 데다가 → ✅ 비싼 데다가.
  • ❌ 춥은 데다가 → ✅ 추운 데다가.
  • ❌ 멀은 데다가 → ✅ 먼 데다가.
  • ❌ 학생 데다가 → ✅ 학생인 데다가.
  • ❌ 비가 와요 데다가 → ✅ 비가 오는 데다가.
  • ⚠️ The two facts usually support the same overall point. If they contrast, use 지만 instead.
You now have the “stack one more fact” tool: 비싼 데다가, 좋은 데다가, 비가 오는 데다가, 학생인 데다가. Addition grammar unlocked. ➕✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each blank with the correct 데다가 form.
1. 비가 오다 → 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 바람도 불어요.
Answer
오는 데다가 — It is raining, and on top of that, the wind is blowing.
2. 비싸다 → 이 가방은 ＿＿＿＿ 무거워요.
Answer
비싼 데다가.
3. 좋다 → 이 집은 위치가 ＿＿＿＿ 넓어요.
Answer
좋은 데다가.
4. 친절하다 → 직원이 ＿＿＿＿ 설명도 잘해요.
Answer
친절한 데다가.
5. 학생 → 그는 ＿＿＿＿ 아르바이트도 해요.
Answer
학생인 데다가.
6. 멀다 → 회사가 ＿＿＿＿ 교통도 불편해요.
Answer
먼 데다가.
7. Choose: “on top of being expensive”
① 비싼 데다가 / ② 비싸는 데다가
Answer
① 비싼 데다가.
8. Choose: “furthermore” as a new sentence
① 게다가 / ② 데다가
Answer
① 게다가.
9. Fix: ❌ 학생 데다가
Answer
학생인 데다가.
10. Translate: “It is cold, and on top of that, it is snowing.”
Answer
추운 데다가 눈도 와요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 데다가 → on top of / in addition to
  • 바람이 불다 → wind blows
  • 무겁다 → to be heavy
  • 위치 → location
  • 넓다 → to be spacious
  • 친절하다 → to be kind
  • 아르바이트 → part-time job
  • 교통 → transportation/traffic
Tip 💡 Ask: “Am I stacking one more fact?” If yes, 데다가 may fit.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below trains forms, praise, complaints, connector choice, and pitfall fixes.
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — On top of that: -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가
 
Welcome to the stacking-facts gym. 🏋️ You’ll practice turning one fact into “on top of that...” and adding a second supporting fact.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear each completed sentence aloud.
 

Exercise 1 — Build the 데다가 Form 🔧

A. 비가 오다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
비가 오는 데다가
B. 길이 막히다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
길이 막히는 데다가
C. 비싸다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
비싼 데다가
D. 좋다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
좋은 데다가
E. 멀다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먼 데다가
F. 춥다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
추운 데다가
G. 복잡하다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
복잡한 데다가
H. 학생 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인 데다가
I. 전문가 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
전문가인 데다가
J. 이미 많이 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
이미 많이 먹은 데다가
🔧
Form Box
  • action verb → -는 데다가
  • descriptive verb/adjective → -(으)ㄴ 데다가
  • noun → 인 데다가
  • shorter form → 데다
Memory tip 💡 데다가 stacks Fact B on Fact A.
 

Exercise 2 — Good + Good Praise 🌟

A. 이 식당은 맛있는 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: the price is cheap too
Answer
가격도 싸요.
B. 이 카페는 조용한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: the coffee is good too
Answer
커피도 맛있어요.
C. 그 선생님은 친절한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: explains well too
Answer
설명도 잘하세요.
D. 이 앱은 편리한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: the design is pretty too
Answer
디자인도 예뻐요.
E. 이 가방은 가벼운 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: sturdy too
Answer
튼튼해요.
F. 이 옷은 싼 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: quality is good too
Answer
품질도 좋아요.
G. 방이 넓은 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: sunlight comes in well too
Answer
햇빛도 잘 들어요.
H. 그 영화는 재미있는 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: touching too
Answer
감동적이에요.
I. 이 동네는 안전한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: transportation is convenient too
Answer
교통도 편리해요.
J. 그 사람은 성실한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: skilled too
Answer
실력도 좋아요.
🌟
Praise words
  • 조용하다 → to be quiet
  • 편리하다 → to be convenient
  • 가볍다 → to be light
  • 튼튼하다 → to be sturdy
  • 품질 → quality
  • 감동적이다 → to be touching
  • 성실하다 → to be diligent/sincere
 

Exercise 3 — Bad + Bad Complaints 🌧️

A. 집이 비싼 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: far too
Answer
너무 멀어요.
B. 방이 좁은 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: there is no window either
Answer
창문도 없어요.
C. 날씨가 추운 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: wind blows too
Answer
바람도 불어요.
D. 길이 막히는 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: bus came late too
Answer
버스도 늦게 왔어요.
E. 절차가 복잡한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: explanations are insufficient too
Answer
설명도 부족해요.
F. 문제가 어려운 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: time was insufficient too
Answer
시간도 부족했어요.
G. 카페가 시끄러운 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: there were no seats either
Answer
자리도 없었어요.
H. 피곤한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: head hurts too
Answer
머리도 아파요.
I. 시간이 늦은 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: I cannot get a taxi either
Answer
택시도 안 잡혀요.
J. 의자가 불편한 데다가 ＿＿＿＿.
Use: too hard
Answer
너무 딱딱해요.
🌧️
Complaint words
  • 좁다 → to be narrow/small
  • 부족하다 → to be insufficient
  • 시끄럽다 → to be noisy
  • 자리가 없다 → there are no seats
  • 택시가 잡히다 → to catch/get a taxi
  • 딱딱하다 → to be hard/stiff
Tip 💡 Bad + bad 데다가 often sounds like “and to make matters worse.”
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Best Connector 🧭

A. “It is expensive, and on top of that, far.”
① 비싼 데다가 멀어요 / ② 비싸는 데다가 멀어요
Answer
① 비싼 데다가 멀어요.
B. “It is expensive. Furthermore, it is far.”
① 비싸요. 게다가 멀어요 / ② 비싸요. 데다가 멀어요
Answer
①. 게다가 can start a new sentence.
C. “Not only expensive but also far.”
① 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 멀어요 / ② 비싼 뿐만 아니라 멀어요
Answer
①.
D. Simple “It is cheap and good.”
① 싸고 좋아요 / ② 싼 게다가 좋아요
Answer
①.
E. “The room is small, and on top of that, no window.”
① 방이 좁은 데다가 창문도 없어요 / ② 방이 좁는 데다가 창문도 없어요
Answer
①.
F. “The café is quiet. Furthermore, coffee is good.”
① 카페가 조용해요. 게다가 커피도 맛있어요 / ② 카페가 조용해요. 데다가 커피도 맛있어요
Answer
①.
G. “This is not only convenient but also safe.”
① 편리할 뿐만 아니라 안전해요 / ② 편리한 데다가 안전해요
Answer
Both can work. ① clearly means “not only... but also”; ② naturally stacks two good facts.
H. “Traffic is bad, and on top of that, it is raining.”
① 길이 막히는 데다가 비도 와요 / ② 길이 막힌 게다가 비도 와요
Answer
①.
I. Which one is a sentence adverb?
Answer
게다가.
J. Which one is this lesson’s connector?
Answer
-(으)ㄴ/는 데다가.
🧭
Decision Box
  • stacked clause → 데다가
  • sentence adverb → 게다가
  • not only A but also B → 뿐만 아니라
  • simple and → -고
  • contrast → 지만
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Translation + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. Translate: “This restaurant is delicious, and on top of that, cheap.”
Answer
이 식당은 맛있는 데다가 가격도 싸요.
B. Translate: “It is raining, and on top of that, windy.”
Answer
비가 오는 데다가 바람도 불어요.
C. Translate: “I am tired, and on top of that, my head hurts.”
Answer
피곤한 데다가 머리도 아파요.
D. Translate: “They are a student, and on top of that, they work part-time too.”
Answer
그 사람은 학생인 데다가 아르바이트도 해요.
E. Translate: “The procedure is complicated, and on top of that, it takes a long time.”
Answer
절차가 복잡한 데다가 시간도 오래 걸려요.
F. Fix: ❌ 비싸는 데다가
Answer
비싼 데다가.
G. Fix: ❌ 춥은 데다가
Answer
추운 데다가.
H. Fix: ❌ 멀은 데다가
Answer
먼 데다가.
I. Fix: ❌ 비가 와요 데다가
Answer
비가 오는 데다가.
J. What does 데다가 add?
Answer
It adds a second fact on top of the first fact, usually strengthening the same overall point.
🛡️
Final Check
  • 오다 → 오는 데다가
  • 비싸다 → 비싼 데다가
  • 좋다 → 좋은 데다가
  • 춥다 → 추운 데다가
  • 멀다 → 먼 데다가
  • 학생 → 학생인 데다가
Final Boss Rule 💡 데다가 is “Fact A + on top of that + Fact B.”
 
🎉 Practice complete. You can now stack facts naturally with 맛있는 데다가, 비싼 데다가, 비가 오는 데다가, and 학생인 데다가. “On top of that” Korean unlocked. ➕✨