KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › -(으)ㄴ/는데
Korean Grammar “-(으)ㄴ/는데”: Meaning and Usage (TOPIK 2)
How to attach it
The ending differs for verbs and adjectives, so the table shows both. Compare how each word changes depending on its last sound.
| Dictionary form | Meaning | With this pattern | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | to see, to watch (verb) | 보는데 | boneunde |
| 읽다 | to read (verb) | 읽는데 | ingneunde |
| 크다 | big (adjective) | 큰데 | keunde |
| 좋다 | good, nice (adjective) | 좋은데 | joeunde |
What changes
- For verbs, -는 attaches directly to the stem (읽 → 읽는). A stem ending in ㄹ drops the ㄹ first (살 → 사는).
- For adjectives, the present-tense form is -(으)ㄴ: ㄴ after a vowel (크 → 큰) and 은 after a consonant (좋 → 좋은).
Explanation
비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
“-(으)ㄴ/는데” is a connecting ending that sets up a background situation or a contrast with what follows; verbs take “-는데” in the present. The sentence means “It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella.” “-(으)러” expresses the purpose of going or coming, so “오러” does not fit here.
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
Said aloud, it sounds like [비가 오는데 우사니 업써요].
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 비가 | ||
| 비 | ㅂ+ㅣ | bi |
| 가 | ㄱ+ㅏ | ga |
| 오는데 | ||
| 오 | ㅇ+ㅗ | o |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 데 | ㄷ+ㅔ | de |
| 우산이 | ||
| 우 | ㅇ+ㅜ | u |
| 산 | ㅅ+ㅏ+ㄴ | [사] sa |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [니] ni |
| 없어요 | ||
| 없 | ㅇ+ㅓ+ㅄ | [업] eop |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] seo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 산이 → [사니]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in the example sentence
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 비 | noun | rain | TOPIK level 1 |
| 우산 | noun | umbrella | TOPIK level 1 |
| 없다 | adjective | to not exist, to not have | TOPIK level 1 |
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 비가 오____ 우산이 없어요.
Show the answer
Answer: 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
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