Quoted Hearsay: -다니(요)

🔊

🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use

Korean Helper Widgets to hear the reaction rhythm in 벌써 떠난다니요! (You mean they’re leaving already?!), 그 소식을 들었다니 놀라워요. (It’s surprising to hear that they heard the news.), and 회의가 취소됐다니 믿기지 않아요. (I can’t believe the meeting was canceled.).

🌈 The Big Picture

• 회의가 취소됐다니 믿기지 않아요. — I can’t believe the meeting was canceled. 📅

• 그 사람이 대표라니 놀랍네요. — It’s surprising that that person is the representative. 🪪

• 내일 발표한다니 준비해야겠어요. — Since I hear we present tomorrow, I should prepare. 📝

🎨 The Core -다니(요) Family

1. Action verbs: -ㄴ/는다니

• Vowel stem or ㄹ-stem → -ㄴ다니
• 가다 → 간다니 — to hear that someone goes/is going
• 떠나다 → 떠난다니 — to hear that someone leaves/is leaving
• 살다 → 산다니 — to hear that someone lives

• Consonant stem → -는다니
• 먹다 → 먹는다니 — to hear that someone eats/is eating
• 읽다 → 읽는다니 — to hear that someone reads/is reading

2. Descriptive verbs: -다니

• 비싸다 → 비싸다니 — to hear that it is expensive

• 어렵다 → 어렵다니 — to hear that it is difficult

• 조용하다 → 조용하다니 — to hear that it is quiet

• 심각하다 → 심각하다니 — to hear that it is serious

3. Nouns: -(이)라니

• 학생 → 학생이라니 — to hear that someone is a student

• 대표 → 대표라니 — to hear that someone is the representative

• 무료 → 무료라니 — to hear that it is free

• 실수 → 실수라니 — to hear that it is a mistake

4. Past and future quoted information

• Past: -았다/었다니
• 끝났다니 — to hear that it ended
• 취소됐다니 — to hear that it was canceled
• 잊었다니 — to hear that someone forgot

• Future or plan: -(으)ㄹ 거라니
• 떠날 거라니 — to hear that someone will leave
• 연기될 거라니 — to hear that it will be postponed

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

• 표가 벌써 매진됐다니 믿기지 않아요.
The tickets are already sold out? I can’t believe it. 🎟️
표 = ticket, 벌써 = already, 매진되다 = to be sold out, 믿기지 않다 = to be unbelievable.

• 그분이 새 대표라니 정말 놀랍네요.
It’s really surprising that that person is the new representative. 🪪
그분 = that person (honorific), 새 = new, 대표 = representative, 놀랍다 = to be surprising.

• 내일 회의에서 발표한다니 자료를 다시 확인해야겠어요.
Since I hear we present at tomorrow’s meeting, I should check the materials again. 📊
회의 = meeting, 발표하다 = to present, 자료 = materials, 확인하다 = to check.

🧩 General Formation Rule

• 회의가 취소됐다니요? — You mean the meeting was canceled? 📅

• 회의가 취소됐다니 믿기지 않아요. — I can’t believe the meeting was canceled. 📅

• 회의가 취소됐다니 다시 연락해야겠어요. — Since I hear the meeting was canceled, I should contact them again. ☎️

📚 Cross-check note

🪞 Synonym Alert

• -다니(요) — quoted information + reaction: surprise, disbelief, concern, admiration, or a next step 🎭

• -다니요! — stronger polite reaction ending: “You mean…?!” / “What do you mean…?!” 😳

• -다고 하다 — neutral indirect quotation: “to say that…” 📰

• -대요 — casual/polite hearsay contraction: “they say…” 💬

• -다며? — checking heard information: “I heard…, right?” 🔎

• -다니까요 — insisting on your own statement: “I’m telling you…” 📣

• 내일 쉰대요. — They say we’re off tomorrow. Neutral report. 🗓️

• 내일 쉰다니 다행이에요. — Since I hear we’re off tomorrow, that’s a relief. 😌

• 내일 쉰다니요? — You mean we’re off tomorrow? 😳

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

• ❌ 먹다니 for present “to hear that someone eats” → ✅ 먹는다니 (action verb with consonant stem takes -는다니).

• ❌ 가다니 for present “to hear that someone goes” → ✅ 간다니 (vowel-stem action verb takes -ㄴ다니).

• ❌ 대표이라니 → ✅ 대표라니 (vowel-ending noun takes 라니).

• ❌ Using -다니 as a plain neutral report → ✅ use -다고 해요 or -대요 for neutral hearsay.

• ❌ Treating every -다니 sentence as angry → ✅ it can be surprised, admiring, relieved, worried, or simply reacting to newly heard information.

📦

🎯 Practice Hub — Quoted Hearsay: -다니(요)

 

Welcome to the quoted-reaction studio. 🎙️ You’ll practice turning heard information into surprise, disbelief, relief, concern, and next-step sentences. Think of -다니(요) as the grammar that raises one eyebrow, checks the news, and then decides what to do next.

 

🔊 Audio reminder: Use

Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear the reaction rhythm of a sentence.

 

📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the best -다니(요) form, read the completed Korean sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle. Pay attention to whether the quoted information is an action, descriptive verb, noun, past event, or future plan.

 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder: Action Verbs 🔧

A. 가다 → 이렇게 갑자기 ＿＿＿＿ 놀라워요.

It’s surprising that they’re going so suddenly. 🚕

Answer

간다니 — 가다 is a vowel-stem action verb, so use -ㄴ다니.

B. 오다 → 손님이 벌써 ＿＿＿＿ 준비해야겠어요.

Since the guest is apparently coming already, we should prepare. 🛎️

Answer

온다니 — 오다 → 온다니.

C. 먹다 → 아이가 매운 음식을 ＿＿＿＿ 의외예요.

It’s unexpected that the child eats spicy food. 🌶️

Answer

먹는다니 — Consonant-stem action verb takes -는다니.

D. 읽다 → 민재가 원문을 ＿＿＿＿ 대단하네요.

It’s impressive that Minjae reads the original text. 📖

Answer

읽는다니 — 읽다 → 읽는다니.

E. 살다 → 그 교수님이 섬에 ＿＿＿＿ 흥미로워요.

It’s interesting that that professor lives on an island. 🏝️

Answer

산다니 — ㄹ drops before ㄴ: 살다 → 산다니.

F. 만들다 → 수아가 앱을 직접 ＿＿＿＿ 믿기지 않아요.

I can’t believe Sua is making the app herself. 📱

Answer

만든다니 — Present action with ㄹ-stem: 만들다 → 만든다니.

G. 돕다 → 이웃들이 서로 ＿＿＿＿ 마음이 따뜻해져요.

It warms my heart to hear the neighbors help one another. 🤝

Answer

돕는다니 — Present action quoted form uses -는다니; do not change it to 도와다니.

H. 듣다 → 학생들이 팟캐스트를 ＿＿＿＿ 반갑네요.

It’s nice to hear that the students listen to the podcast. 🎧

Answer

듣는다니 — Present statement form: 듣다 → 듣는다니.

I. 걷다 → 팀원들이 매일 공원에서 ＿＿＿＿ 좋네요.

It’s good that the team members walk in the park every day. 🌳

Answer

걷는다니 — Present quoted action: 걷다 → 걷는다니.

J. 쉬다 → 내일 모두 ＿＿＿＿ 다행이에요.

It’s a relief that everyone rests tomorrow. 🛌

Answer

쉰다니 — Vowel-stem action verb: 쉬다 → 쉰다니.

🔧

Action Verb Box

• 가다 → to go

• 오다 → to come

• 먹다 → to eat

• 읽다 → to read

• 살다 → to live

• 만들다 → to make

• 돕다 → to help

• 듣다 → to listen

• 걷다 → to walk

• 쉬다 → to rest

Tip 💡 Present action verbs use -ㄴ/는다니, not plain dictionary-form -다니.

 

Exercise 2 — Descriptive Verbs and Nouns 🎨

A. 비싸다 → 입장료가 이렇게 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 봐야겠어요.

Since the admission fee is apparently this expensive, I should look again. 🎫

Answer

비싸다니 — Descriptive verb takes -다니.

B. 어렵다 → 문제가 그렇게 ＿＿＿＿ 걱정돼요.

I’m worried that the problem is that difficult. 🧩

Answer

어렵다니 — Keep the descriptive-verb statement form.

C. 조용하다 → 사무실이 하루 종일 ＿＿＿＿ 신기해요.

It’s amazing that the office is quiet all day. 🏢

Answer

조용하다니 — 하다 descriptive verb keeps -다니.

D. 심각하다 → 상황이 그렇게 ＿＿＿＿ 바로 알려야겠어요.

Since the situation is apparently that serious, I should tell them right away. 🚨

Answer

심각하다니.

E. 낯설다 → 그 장소가 아직도 ＿＿＿＿ 이해돼요.

It makes sense that that place still feels unfamiliar. 🗺️

Answer

낯설다니 — Descriptive verb, not an action statement.

F. 대표 → 유나가 새 ＿＿＿＿ 놀랍네요.

It’s surprising that Yuna is the new representative. 🪪

Answer

대표라니 — Vowel-ending noun takes 라니.

G. 학생 → 그 연구원이 아직 ＿＿＿＿ 믿기지 않아요.

I can’t believe that researcher is still a student. 🔬

Answer

학생이라니 — Consonant-ending noun takes 이라니.

H. 무료 → 이 강의가 ＿＿＿＿ 정말 좋아요.

It’s great that this lecture is free. 🎁

Answer

무료라니.

I. 실수 → 그 결정이 ＿＿＿＿ 당황스러워요.

It’s flustering to hear that that decision was a mistake. 📌

Answer

실수라니.

J. 기회 → 이번 일이 좋은 ＿＿＿＿ 놓치면 안 돼요.

Since this is apparently a good opportunity, we shouldn’t miss it. 🎟️

Answer

기회라니 — Vowel-ending noun takes 라니.

🎨

Description + Noun Box

• 비싸다 → to be expensive

• 어렵다 → to be difficult

• 조용하다 → to be quiet

• 심각하다 → to be serious

• 낯설다 → to feel unfamiliar

• 대표 → representative

• 학생 → student

• 무료 → free of charge

• 실수 → mistake

• 기회 → opportunity

Tip 💡 Descriptive verbs use -다니; nouns use -(이)라니.

 

Exercise 3 — Past Events and Future Plans ⏳

A. 끝나다 → 콘서트가 벌써 ＿＿＿＿ 아쉬워요.

It’s a shame that the concert already ended. 🎤

Answer

끝났다니 — Past quoted event.

B. 취소되다 → 예약이 ＿＿＿＿ 확인해 봐야겠어요.

Since the reservation was apparently canceled, I should check. 🗂️

Answer

취소됐다니.

C. 매진되다 → 좌석이 모두 ＿＿＿＿ 믿기지 않아요.

I can’t believe all the seats sold out. 💺

Answer

매진됐다니.

D. 잊다 → 지훈이가 약속을 ＿＿＿＿ 속상해요.

I’m upset that Jihoon forgot the appointment. 📅

Answer

잊었다니.

E. 발견하다 → 연구팀이 단서를 ＿＿＿＿ 대단하네요.

It’s impressive that the research team found a clue. 🔍

Answer

발견했다니.

F. 떠날 것이다 → 세나가 곧 ＿＿＿＿ 섭섭해요.

I’m sad to hear that Sena will leave soon. 🧳

Answer

떠날 거라니 — Future/plan quoted information.

G. 연기될 것이다 → 행사가 다음 달로 ＿＿＿＿ 다행이에요.

It’s a relief that the event will be postponed to next month. 📆

Answer

연기될 거라니.

H. 바뀔 것이다 → 일정이 또 ＿＿＿＿ 혼란스럽네요.

It’s confusing that the schedule will change again. 🔄

Answer

바뀔 거라니.

I. 발표할 것이다 → 우리가 먼저 ＿＿＿＿ 긴장돼요.

I’m nervous that we will present first. 🎙️

Answer

발표할 거라니.

J. 도착할 것이다 → 택배가 오늘 밤에 ＿＿＿＿ 기다려야겠어요.

Since the package will apparently arrive tonight, I should wait. 📦

Answer

도착할 거라니.

⏳

Time Box

• 끝나다 → to end

• 취소되다 → to be canceled

• 매진되다 → to be sold out

• 잊다 → to forget

• 발견하다 → to discover

• 떠나다 → to leave

• 연기되다 → to be postponed

• 바뀌다 → to change

• 발표하다 → to present

• 도착하다 → to arrive

Tip 💡 Past information uses -았다/었다니; future plans use -(으)ㄹ 거라니.

 

Exercise 4 — Reaction Meaning: Choose the Natural Follow-up 🎭

A. 자료가 사라졌다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The materials disappeared, so this is worrying. 🗃️

Answer

걱정돼요 — Lost materials naturally trigger concern.

B. 시험이 연기됐다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The test was postponed, so this is a relief. 📝

Answer

다행이에요 — A postponed test can bring relief.

C. 그 배우가 학생이라니 ＿＿＿＿.

That actor is a student, so this is surprising. 🎬

Answer

놀라워요 — Unexpected identity often pairs with surprise.

D. 결과가 이렇게 좋다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The result is this good, so I feel proud. 🏆

Answer

뿌듯해요 — A good result can create pride.

E. 회의가 한 시간 늦어진다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The meeting starts one hour later, so I should adjust the schedule. 🕐

Answer

일정을 조정해야겠어요 — Heard information leads to a next action.

F. 그 계획이 실수라니 ＿＿＿＿.

That plan was a mistake, so I’m flustered. 📌

Answer

당황스러워요 — A mistake revelation can feel flustering.

G. 입장료가 무료라니 ＿＿＿＿.

The admission is free, so this is great. 🎟️

Answer

정말 좋아요 — Free admission naturally triggers a positive reaction.

H. 비행기가 지연됐다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The flight was delayed, so I should check the gate again. ✈️

Answer

탑승구를 다시 확인해야겠어요 — Travel delay leads to checking the gate.

I. 지원자가 이렇게 많다니 ＿＿＿＿.

There are this many applicants, so competition will be intense. 📄

Answer

경쟁이 치열하겠어요 — Many applicants imply strong competition.

J. 새 규칙이 오늘부터 적용된다니 ＿＿＿＿.

The new rule applies from today, so I should read the notice. 📢

Answer

공지문을 읽어야겠어요 — New rules call for reading the notice.

🎭

Reaction Box

• 걱정되다 → to be worrying

• 다행이다 → to be a relief

• 놀랍다 → to be surprising

• 뿌듯하다 → to feel proud

• 조정하다 → to adjust

• 당황스럽다 → to be flustering

• 확인하다 → to check

• 치열하다 → to be intense

• 적용되다 → to be applied

• 공지문 → notice

Tip 💡 -다니 often invites a feeling word or a practical next action.

 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 민지가 먹다니 놀라워요. → ✅ 민지가 ＿＿＿＿ 놀라워요.

It’s surprising that Minji eats it. 🍽️

Answer

먹는다니 — Present action with consonant stem takes -는다니.

B. ❌ 우리가 가다니 믿기지 않아요. → ✅ 우리가 ＿＿＿＿ 믿기지 않아요.

I can’t believe we’re going. 🚌

Answer

간다니 — Present action with vowel stem takes -ㄴ다니.

C. ❌ 대표이라니 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿

to hear that someone is the representative 🪪

Answer

대표라니 — Vowel-ending noun takes 라니.

D. ❌ 학생라니 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿

to hear that someone is a student 🎓

Answer

학생이라니 — Consonant-ending noun takes 이라니.

E. Neutral report: “They say the meeting was canceled.” Choose better:

① 회의가 취소됐대요. / ② 회의가 취소됐다니요!

Answer

① 회의가 취소됐대요. — This is neutral hearsay. 취소됐다니요! is a reaction.

F. Reaction: “You mean the meeting was canceled?” Choose better:

① 회의가 취소됐다니요? / ② 회의가 취소됐대요.

Answer

① 회의가 취소됐다니요? — This asks a surprised reaction question.

G. Insisting: “I’m telling you, it’s true.” Choose better:

① 사실이라니까요. / ② 사실이라니요.

Answer

① 사실이라니까요. — -다니까요 insists; -다니요 reacts.

H. Complete the future quoted reaction: 발표가 내일로 ＿＿＿＿ 걱정돼요.

I’m worried that the presentation will be tomorrow. 📊

Answer

될 거라니 — Future quoted information: 되다 → 될 거라니.

I. Complete the past quoted reaction: 초대장이 이미 ＿＿＿＿ 안심했어요.

I felt relieved that the invitation had already arrived. 💌

Answer

도착했다니 — Past quoted event: 도착하다 → 도착했다니.

J. What does -다니 usually add beyond neutral hearsay?

Answer

It adds a reaction to quoted or newly heard information — surprise, disbelief, relief, concern, admiration, or a next step.

🛡️

Final Check

• 가다 → 간다니

• 먹다 → 먹는다니

• 살다 → 산다니

• 비싸다 → 비싸다니

• 대표 → 대표라니

• 학생 → 학생이라니

• 취소되다 → 취소됐다니

• 떠나다 → 떠날 거라니

• -대요 → neutral hearsay

• -다니요? → surprised reaction question

Tip 💡 If the sentence means “they say…,” stay neutral. If it means “hearing that, wow/oh no/really?” use -다니(요).

 

🎉 Practice complete. You can now turn heard information into natural Korean reactions: 간다니, 먹는다니, 대표라니, 취소됐다니, and 떠날 거라니. Your quoted-hearsay radar is officially online. 🗣️✨