Using '-다니(요)' for Surprising Information

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IS #147 — '-다니(요)'

How to express disbelief, surprise, and emotional reaction in Korean.

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Iru Helper Note

-다니(요) is the grammar of genuine reaction. It's what comes out when you're surprised, moved, or can't believe what you just heard.

벌써 끝났다니요?

(I can't believe it's already over?)

😲 What You'll Learn Today

-다니(요) is a grammatical ending that expresses the speaker's surprise, disbelief, or strong emotional reaction to something they just heard or realized. It's the Korean equivalent of "I can't believe that..." or "The fact that...!" In this lesson, you'll learn how to attach -다니(요) to different verb and adjective forms to express a full range of reactions — from shock to admiration to disbelief.

📌 How to Use -다니(요)

Structure	Example	Meaning
Verb stem + -다니(요)	갔다니요?	I can't believe (they) went?
Adj stem + -다니(요)	맛있다니요!	I can't believe how delicious it is!
N + (이)라니(요)	의사라니요?	I can't believe (they're) a doctor?
Past + -았/었다니(요)	졌다니요?	I can't believe (they) lost?
Future nuance + -(으)ㄹ거라니(요)	올 거라니요?	I can't believe (they're) coming?
벌써 + -다니(요)	벌써 끝났다니요?	I can't believe it's already over?
그렇게 + -다니(요)	그렇게 비싸다니요!	I can't believe it's that expensive!
이렇게 + -다니(요)	이렇게 빠르다니요!	I can't believe how fast!
정말 + -다니(요)	정말 그랬다니요?	I can't believe that really happened?
어떻게 + -다니(요)	어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요?	How could that be / I can't believe it

💡 Key pattern: -다니(요) always follows the statement you're reacting to. The -요 makes it polite. Without 요, it's casual. The rising intonation marks disbelief; falling intonation can mark admiration or wonder.

💬 Conversations in Action

Disbelief:

A: 시험에 떨어졌어요. (I failed the exam.)

B: 떨어졌다니요?! 열심히 했잖아요. (I can't believe you failed?! You worked so hard.)

Admiration:

A: 혼자 만든 거예요. (I made it alone.)

B: 혼자 만들었다니요! 정말 대단해요. (I can't believe you made it alone! That's incredible.)

🌏 Cultural Note — Reaction as Connection

In Korean conversation, strong visible reactions show that you're engaged. Using -다니(요) signals that what someone said actually landed — you heard it, you felt it, you can't move past it without acknowledging it. It's an emotionally connective grammar. Using it well makes you sound genuinely present in a conversation, not just mechanically responsive.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

React to each statement using -다니(요). Express genuine surprise, disbelief, or admiration.

A. Your friend tells you they quit their job. React with disbelief.

<summary>Answer

직장을 그만뒀다니요?! 왜요?

</summary>

B. Someone tells you they ran a marathon yesterday. React with admiration.

<summary>Answer

어제 마라톤을 뛰었다니요! 대단해요!

</summary>

C. You hear the exam is already over. React with surprise.

<summary>Answer

벌써 시험이 끝났다니요? 너무 빠르다!

</summary>

D. Someone tells you that restaurant is closed. React with disbelief.

<summary>Answer

그 식당이 문을 닫았다니요? 정말요?

</summary>

E. A friend says the movie ticket costs 30,000 won. React.

<summary>Answer

30,000원이라니요?! 그렇게 비싸다니요!

</summary>

F. Someone tells you they passed the hardest exam in the country. React with admiration.

<summary>Answer

그 시험에 합격했다니요! 정말 대단해요!

</summary>

G. You hear that your favorite café closed. React emotionally.

<summary>Answer

그 카페가 없어졌다니요? 너무 아쉽다!

</summary>

H. A friend says they've never eaten kimchi. React with surprise.

<summary>Answer

한 번도 김치를 안 먹었다니요? 믿을 수가 없어요!

</summary>

I. Someone tells you they got promoted. React with genuine happiness/surprise.

<summary>Answer

승진했다니요! 너무 잘 됐다! 축하해요!

</summary>

J. React to learning that a friend you haven't heard from is getting married.

<summary>Answer

결혼한다니요?! 정말요? 언제요? 너무 반가운 소식이에요!

</summary>

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Expression Reference

Structure	Use
V-다니요?	disbelief (verb)
Adj-다니요!	surprise/admiration (adj)
N-(이)라니요?	"they're a [N]?!"
벌써 + -다니요?	disbelief at speed/timing
그렇게 + -다니요!	"it's THAT + adj?!"
어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요	how could that be
정말 + -다니요?	"I can't believe that really..."

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Tip: Intonation matters

Rising intonation (끝났다니요↗?) = question-like disbelief. Falling intonation (대단하다니↘!) = admiration or wonder. Same grammar, completely different emotional color. Practice both to unlock the full range of -다니(요).

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Think of surprising news you've received recently. Reconstruct your reaction in Korean using -다니(요). Then try the opposite — something you were amazed or moved by. Notice how the same grammar expresses both.

📦 Practice Hub — '-다니(요)'

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression

Pick the best -다니(요) reaction for each situation.

A. Your friend says they've never seen snow. You react:

a) 눈을 본 적이 없다니요?!

b) 눈이 왔다니요.

c) 눈을 봤다니요?

<summary>Answer

a) 눈을 본 적이 없다니요?! — disbelief at something they've never experienced.

B. You hear someone scored 100% on a difficult exam. You react:

a) 시험에 떨어졌다니요?

b) 100점을 받았다니요! 대단해요!

c) 시험이 어렵다니요.

<summary>Answer

b) 100점을 받았다니요! 대단해요! — admiration reaction.

C. You learn that a popular store suddenly closed. You react:

a) 가게가 생겼다니요!

b) 그 가게가 문을 닫았다니요?

c) 싸다니요!

<summary>Answer

b) 그 가게가 문을 닫았다니요? — disbelief at closure.

D. A friend reveals they're actually a doctor. You react:

a) 의사라니요?! 몰랐어요!

b) 의사가 됐다니요.

c) 의사를 만났다니요?

<summary>Answer

a) 의사라니요?! 몰랐어요! — noun + (이)라니요.

E. You hear the price of something is 100,000 won. You react:

a) 10만 원이라니요?! 너무 비싸다니요!

b) 그렇게 싸다니요.

c) 10만 원이 있다니요.

<summary>Answer

a) 10만 원이라니요?! 너무 비싸다니요! — double reaction: noun + adjective.

F. A friend says they already finished all the homework. You react:

a) 숙제가 많다니요.

b) 벌써 다 했다니요?! 어떻게요?

c) 숙제를 했다니요.

<summary>Answer

b) 벌써 다 했다니요?! 어떻게요? — 벌써 + 다니요 for timing disbelief.

G. You hear someone got married last week without telling anyone. You react:

a) 결혼했다니요?! 왜 말 안 했어요?

b) 결혼할 거라니요.

c) 결혼식이 있다니요.

<summary>Answer

a) 결혼했다니요?! 왜 말 안 했어요? — disbelief + follow-up question.

H. Someone tells you a friend you haven't heard from in years called them today. You react:

a) 전화했다니요? 정말요?

b) 전화할 거라니요.

c) 전화가 왔다니요.

<summary>Answer

a) 전화했다니요? 정말요? — disbelief reaction.

I. A friend ran a full marathon this morning. React with admiration.

a) 마라톤을 뛸 거라니요.

b) 오늘 아침에 마라톤을 뛰었다니요! 믿기지 않아요!

c) 마라톤이 있다니요.

<summary>Answer

b) 오늘 아침에 마라톤을 뛰었다니요! 믿기지 않아요! — admiration + disbelief.

J. You hear that your team's presentation was canceled. React.

a) 발표가 취소됐다니요?! 진짜요?

b) 발표가 어렵다니요.

c) 발표를 했다니요.

<summary>Answer

a) 발표가 취소됐다니요?! 진짜요? — sharp disbelief.

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Quick Reference

Structure	Meaning
V-았/었다니요?	I can't believe (past event)
Adj-다니요!	I can't believe (quality)
N-(이)라니요?	I can't believe (identity)
벌써 + 다니요	disbelief at timing
그렇게 + 다니요	"it's THAT..."
이렇게 + 다니요	"it's THIS much..."
정말 + 다니요	"I can't believe it really..."
어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요	how could that be

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Pitfall: Overusing with flat intonation

-다니요 said in a flat, monotone voice loses its emotional force entirely — it can sound sarcastic or dismissive. Always deliver it with genuine intonation: surprised rising (↗) for disbelief, warm falling (↘) for admiration. The grammar needs the emotion to land.

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

Translate each -다니(요) reaction naturally.

A. 벌써 끝났다니요? 너무 빨라요!

<summary>Answer

I can't believe it's already over? That's so fast!

B. 혼자 다 만들었다니요! 정말 대단해요.

<summary>Answer

I can't believe you made all of it alone! That's truly amazing.

C. 그렇게 비싸다니요?! 믿기지 않아요.

<summary>Answer

I can't believe it's that expensive?! I can't believe it.

D. 결혼했다니요?! 언제요? 왜 말 안 했어요?

<summary>Answer

I can't believe you got married?! When? Why didn't you say anything?

E. 의사라니요?! 전혀 몰랐어요.

<summary>Answer

You're a doctor?! I had no idea.

F. 시험에 합격했다니요! 너무 잘 됐어요. 축하해요!

<summary>Answer

I can't believe you passed the exam! I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!

G. 그렇게 어렵다니요. 저도 못 할 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

I can't believe it's that hard. I don't think I could do it either.

H. 한 번도 먹어본 적이 없다니요? 꼭 먹어봐야 해요!

<summary>Answer

You've never tried it even once? You absolutely have to!

I. 이렇게 빠르다니요! 어떻게 한 거예요?

<summary>Answer

I can't believe how fast! How did you do it?

J. 어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요? 정말 놀라워요.

<summary>Answer

I can't believe how that's possible. I'm truly amazed.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Korean	English
믿기지 않다	to be unbelievable
합격하다	to pass (an exam)
취소되다	to be canceled
대단하다	to be incredible/amazing
전혀	not at all / entirely
꼭	definitely / for sure

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Grammar Tip: How to attach -다니(요)

Present/Future adj/verb: stem + 다니(요) → 비싸다니요, 간다니요

Past: verb + 았/었다니(요) → 갔다니요, 먹었다니요

Noun: N + (이)라니(요) → 의사라니요, 학생이라니요

No vowel-consonant harmony changes needed — just attach and go.

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

Attach -다니(요) correctly to each prompt.

A. 벌써 [끝나다] → Express surprise at the timing.

<summary>Answer

벌써 끝났다니요?!

B. 혼자 [만들다 - past] → Express admiration.

<summary>Answer

혼자 만들었다니요! 대단해요!

C. [의사] + identity reaction → Express disbelief.

<summary>Answer

의사라니요?! 몰랐어요!

D. 그렇게 [비싸다] → React to the price.

<summary>Answer

그렇게 비싸다니요?!

E. 시험에 [합격하다 - past] → Express happiness/surprise.

<summary>Answer

시험에 합격했다니요! 축하해요!

F. 한 번도 [먹다 - never] → Express disbelief.

<summary>Answer

한 번도 먹어본 적이 없다니요?

G. [100만 원] + identity → React to the price.

<summary>Answer

100만 원이라니요?! 너무 비싸요!

H. 이렇게 [빠르다] → React with admiration.

<summary>Answer

이렇게 빠르다니요! 어떻게요?

I. 결혼 [하다 - past] → React with surprise.

<summary>Answer

결혼했다니요?! 언제요?

J. 어떻게 그럴 수 [있다] → Express shock.

<summary>Answer

어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요? 믿기지 않아요.

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Attachment Rules

Type	Rule	Example
Present verb/adj	stem + 다니(요)	가다니요, 비싸다니요
Past verb	-았/었다니(요)	갔다니요
Noun	(이)라니(요)	의사라니요
Never done	~적이 없다니요	먹은 적이 없다니요

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Production Tip

Memorize three go-to reactions: 벌써 다니요?! (timing surprise) / 라니요?! 몰랐어요! (identity surprise) / 이렇게 ___다니요! 대단해요! (admiration). These three cover 90% of real-life -다니(요) situations.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

React to each statement using -다니(요).

A. 친구: 어제 아무것도 안 먹었어. → You: (React with concern + disbelief)

<summary>Answer

아무것도 안 먹었다니요?! 왜요? 괜찮아요?

B. 동료: 발표가 내일이에요. → You: (React — surprised at how soon)

<summary>Answer

벌써 내일이라니요?! 준비됐어요?

C. 선배: 저 사실 의사예요. → You: (React with surprise)

<summary>Answer

의사라니요?! 전혀 몰랐어요!

D. 친구: 마라톤 완주했어! → You: (React with admiration)

<summary>Answer

마라톤을 완주했다니요! 정말 대단해! 어떻게 한 거야?

E. 동료: 이번 달에 팀이 바뀌었어요. → You: (React with surprise)

<summary>Answer

팀이 바뀌었다니요?! 왜요? 갑자기요?

F. 친구: 그 카페 없어졌어. → You: (React with disbelief and emotion)

<summary>Answer

없어졌다니요?! 너무 아쉽다. 자주 갔는데...

G. 선생님: 이번 시험은 100문제예요. → You: (React with shock)

<summary>Answer

100문제라니요?! 그렇게 많다니요! 어떻게 다 해요?

H. 친구: 나 이번에 장학금 받았어! → You: (React with happiness and admiration)

<summary>Answer

장학금을 받았다니요! 대단해! 너무 잘 됐다!

I. 동료: 사실 그 미팅 취소됐어요. → You: (React with surprise + follow-up)

<summary>Answer

취소됐다니요?! 진짜요? 왜요?

J. 친구: 그 책 한국어로 10시간 만에 다 읽었어. → You: (React with admiration + disbelief)

<summary>Answer

10시간 만에 다 읽었다니요?! 이렇게 빠르다니요! 대단해!

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Useful Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
완주하다	to complete / finish a race
장학금	scholarship
갑자기	suddenly
아쉽다	to be a shame / sad about it
준비됐어요?	Are you ready?
전혀 몰랐어요	I had no idea

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Conversation Tip

The most natural -다니(요) reaction has two parts: the reaction itself (V-다니요?!) + a follow-up question or comment (왜요? / 어떻게요? / 정말요? / 대단해요!). The follow-up proves you're genuinely engaged — not just parroting the grammar.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

React naturally using -다니(요) for each scenario.

A. A friend says they've been awake for 36 hours. React with concern and disbelief.

<summary>Sample Answer

36시간 동안 안 잤다니요?! 괜찮아요? 얼마나 힘들었어요!

B. Someone says they built their own website from scratch. React with admiration.

<summary>Sample Answer

직접 만들었다니요! 이렇게 잘 만들었다니요, 대단해요!

C. You hear a famous landmark was demolished. React emotionally.

<summary>Sample Answer

그게 없어졌다니요?! 믿기지 않아요. 너무 아쉽다.

D. A colleague says they're leaving the company next week. React.

<summary>Sample Answer

다음 주에 떠난다니요?! 벌써요? 너무 갑작스럽다니요!

E. React with admiration when you hear someone speaks five languages.

<summary>Sample Answer

다섯 개 언어를 한다니요?! 어떻게요? 이렇게 대단하다니요!

F. React to finding out a quiet friend is actually a professional singer.

<summary>Sample Answer

가수라니요?! 전혀 몰랐어요! 노래 들어볼 수 있어요?

G. React with disbelief when told a restaurant you love is permanently closed.

<summary>Sample Answer

영원히 문 닫았다니요?! 진짜요? 너무 아쉽다.

H. A friend says they passed the most competitive exam in Korea. React.

<summary>Sample Answer

그 시험에 합격했다니요! 정말요?! 대단해요, 진심으로 축하해요!

I. React when you learn something cost ten times what you expected.

<summary>Sample Answer

그렇게 비싸다니요?! 10배라니요?! 믿기지 않아요.

J. React to something small but heartwarming — a child cooked dinner for their parents.

<summary>Sample Answer

아이가 직접 저녁을 만들었다니요! 너무 귀엽고 대단해요!

📚

Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
벌써 ___다니요?!	timing disbelief
이렇게 ___다니요!	degree of surprise
그렇게 ___다니요?!	"it's THAT..."
___라니요?!	identity surprise
어떻게 그럴 수 있다니요	deep disbelief
믿기지 않아요	I can't believe it
대단해요 + 다니요	admiration reaction

💡

Speaking Challenge

Tell a story — in Korean — about a time something surprised or amazed you. Use -다니(요) at least twice: once for disbelief, once for admiration. Notice how the same grammar carries completely different emotional weight depending on intonation and context. That range is fluency.

놀라움을 제대로 표현하면 더 생생하게 들려요. ✨