TL;DR
- -대요 and -래요 are super casual ways to quote what someone said, replacing the formal -다고 해요 and -라고 해요 🎯
- Use -대요 after statement endings (해요, 했어요, 할 거예요) and -래요 after command/suggestion endings (해요 commands, -자) 🗣️
- These are really common in everyday speech and make you sound natural and friendly! 💬
What Are -대요 and -래요? 🤔
You already know how to quote people using -다고 해요 (statements) and -라고 해요 (commands/questions), right? 📝
Well, in casual conversation, Koreans love to shorten these! 💨
-다고 해요 → -대요
-라고 해요 → -래요
That's it! Same meaning, way shorter, super natural. ✨
Using -대요 (Statements) 💭
When you're quoting a statement someone made, just drop -다고 해요 and replace it with -대요.
→ 민수가 바쁘대요.
(Minsu says he's busy.)
→ 비가 온대요.
(They say it's going to rain.)
→ 맛있대요.
(She says it's delicious.)
→ 내일 못 온대요.
(He says he can't come tomorrow.)
Using -래요 (Commands & Suggestions) 👉
When you're quoting a command or suggestion, use -래요 instead of -라고 해요.
→ 빨리 오래요.
(They're telling me to come quickly.)
→ 같이 가래요.
(They're saying let's go together.)
→ 조용히 하래요.
(They're telling me to be quiet.)
→ 내일 만나래요.
(They're saying let's meet tomorrow.)
How to Attach Them 🔗
Super simple! Just attach directly to the verb stem. 🎯
Statement pattern:
Verb stem + -ㄴ대요/는대요/대요
→ 먹는대요 (says they're eating)
→ 갔대요 (says they went)
→ 예쁘대요 (says it's pretty)
Command/Suggestion pattern:
Verb stem + -래요 / -자래요
→ 먹으래요 (telling me to eat)
→ 가래요 (telling me to go)
→ 먹자래요 (suggesting let's eat)
The Vibe Check 😎
These shortened forms are casual but not rude — perfect for friends, family, and everyday situations! 🌟
They make you sound like a native speaker because Koreans use these ALL the time in conversation. 🇰🇷
Using the full -다고 해요 or -라고 해요 isn't wrong, but it sounds a bit formal and textbook-y. 📚
Side by Side Comparison 👯
Formal → Casual:
좋다고 해요 → 좋대요 ✨
예쁘다고 해요 → 예쁘대요 💅
가자고 해요 → 가자래요 🚶
먹으라고 해요 → 먹으래요 🍽️
Exceptions ⚠️
None! 🎉
This is one of those beautiful Korean grammar points with no weird exceptions. Just follow the patterns and you're golden! 💛
Remember! 🧠
-대요 = shortened -다고 해요 (statements) 💬
-래요 = shortened -라고 해요 (commands & suggestions) 👈
Now go practice and sound like a pro! 화이팅! 💪✨
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks using the shortened quote forms -대요 or -래요. 📝
- 민수가 내일 학교에 안 _. (오다)
Answer
온대요
- 친구가 저녁에 영화 보러 _. (가다)
Answer
간대요
- 언니가 요즘 운동을 열심히 _. (하다)
Answer
한대요
- 동생이 다음 주에 제주도로 _. (떠나다)
Answer
떠난대요
- 수지가 새 직장이 정말 _. (좋다)
Answer
좋대요
- 엄마가 저녁에 불고기를 _. (만들다)
Answer
만든대요
- 친구가 주말에 같이 공부하_. (자고 하다)
Answer
자래요
- 선생님이 시험이 생각보다 _. (쉽다)
Answer
쉽대요
- 오빠가 다음 달에 군대에 _. (가다)
Answer
간대요
- 지수가 오늘 회의가 _. (없다)
Answer
없대요
Vocabulary
학교 - school
영화 - movie
언니 - older sister (for females)
운동 - exercise
동생 - younger sibling
제주도 - Jeju Island
떠나다 - to leave, depart
직장 - workplace, job
불고기 - bulgogi (Korean beef dish)
만들다 - to make
주말 - weekend
시험 - exam, test
쉽다 - to be easy
오빠 - older brother (for females)
군대 - military
회의 - meeting
Common mistakes
- ⚠️ Don't confuse -대요 (for statements) with -래요 (for suggestions/commands). Use -대요 for "they said (statement)" and -래요 for "they said to do/let's do."
- 🔄 Remember that -대요 attaches directly to verb stems, while -래요 replaces -자 or command forms.
- 📌 Don't forget to drop -다 from the dictionary form before adding -ㄴ대요/는대요/대요 for statements.
- ✏️ Be careful with consonant vs. vowel endings: use -ㄴ대요 after vowels and -는대요 after consonants for present tense action verbs.