라고/라는/다고/다는/자고/냐고 하다 [ Korean Grammar ]

Learning grammar is one of the most difficult things for Korean language learners. On this blog, we will try to help you learn Korean grammar in the quickest and easiest way possible. This blog will be helpful for those who are studying the Korean language and want to improve their grammar skills.

Today, we’ll see how to form sentences with the grammar pattern “라고/라는/다고/다는/자고/냐고 하다” in indirect speech, with some example sentences.

1. Noun + (이)라고 하다

1. Is used after a noun followed by the verb 하다. It is used to refer to something being said by someone or somewhere.

For example:

뭐라고 했어요? – What did you say?
그 사람이 유명한 분이라고 들었어요. – I heard that this person is famous.
저 친구 이름은 여빈이래요. – That friend's name is Yeobin.

N + (이)래요 is the short form.

2. Noun + (이)라는 + Noun

Is used when you want to refer to one noun being described or identified as another noun. This is equivalent to saying “a Noun who/that is Noun.”

Noun + (이)란 + Noun is the short form.

For example:

방탄소년단이라는 가수들의 노래가 요즘에 미국에서도 유명해요.
– The songs of the singers called BTS are famous in America these days.

그 선생님이란 분은 저의 아버지예요.
– That person who is the teacher is my father.

3. Verb + (ㄴ/는)다고 하다

You use Verb + (ㄴ/는)다고 하다 when you know about something happening indirectly. It is used in declarative sentences.

For example:

그 사람이 내일 돈 가져온다고 말했어요.
– He said he would bring the money tomorrow.

이 영화는 재미있다고 들었어요.
– I heard this movie is fun.

Verb + (ㄴ/는)대요 is the short form.

4. Verb + 다는 + Noun

You use Verb + 다는 + Noun when you want to reference a noun that has an indirect verb as an adjective modifying it. This is equivalent to saying “a noun who is / that is doing Verb.”

For example:

한국에 간다는 사람
– A person who is going to Korea.

나는 지금 연락받아서 그녀가 인도에 도착했다는 것을 알아요.
– I just got the call, so I know she has arrived in India.

Verb + 단 + Noun is the short form.

5. Verb + (으)라고 하다

You use Verb + (으)라고 하다 when you are quoting an imperative statement.

For example:

집에 빨리 가라고 했어요.
– He told him to go home immediately.

그 사람한테 하지 말라고 했어요!
– I told him not to do it!

그럴 수도 있지. 울지 말라고 했어.
– Things like that happen, too. She told me not to cry.

Verb + 래요 is the short form.

6. Verb + 자고 하다

You use Verb + 자고 하다 when you are quoting a suggestive statement.

For example:

친구랑 집 앞에서 만나자고 말했어요.
– I told my friend to meet in front of the house.

2년 만에 만났기 때문에 같이 밥 먹자고 했어.
– We met after two years, so I suggested that we eat together.

Verb + 재요 is the short form.

7. Verb + 냐고 하다

You use Verb + 냐고 하다 when you are quoting an interrogative question.

For example :

그 놈은 잘 지내냐고 말했어요.
– That guy asked me how I was doing.

어떻게 했냐고 말해.
– Tell me how you did it.

Verb + 냬요 is the short form.

Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions, comment down below.