Learning grammar is one of the most difficult parts of studying the Korean language. 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 learners who want to improve their Korean grammar skills.
Today, we’ll look at how to form sentences using the Korean grammar patterns “V/Adj-던” and “V/Adj-았/었던”, along with some example sentences.
V/Adj-던 and V/Adj-았/었던 are both used to talk about past events, describing actions or states that happened in the past.
However, there are two important points to remember:
- V-던 is generally used for actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past, but were not completed or were interrupted before the moment of speaking. It reflects an “unfinished past” or a memory of something that used to happen.
- V-았/었던 is used for actions or states that fully finished in the past and have no connection to the present. It reflects a “completed past.”
Verb + 았/었던 is used more frequently in daily conversation.
However, if you want to express an action that used to happen but was interrupted or is no longer continuing in the present, then you should use Verb + 던.
For adjectives, Koreans also use Adj + 았/었던 more commonly in everyday speech.
Also check these useful Korean vocabulary resources:
1000 Most Common Korean Words – Must-Know Korean Vocabulary
200 Must-Know Korean Verbs For Rookie Learners
100 Must-Know Korean adjectives – How to conjugate and use them
Let's see some examples to understand the differences
In case of : Verb + 던
After removing 다 from the root verb, add 던 after the verb stem irrespective of whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or vowel.
1) 그는 병원으로 가던 중에 심장이 멎었다.
He had a heart attack on his way to the hospital.
2) 오랜만에 예전에 잘 가던 식당에 가 봤더니 많이 변해 있었다.
I visited a restaurant I used to go to often, and it had changed a lot.
3) 옆에서 같이 걷던 키가 큰 남학생이 멈춰섰다.
A tall male student who was walking beside me suddenly stopped.
In case of : Verb + 았/었던
After removing 다 from the root verb, add 았/었던 after the verb stem.
- If the verb stem ends with 오 or 아 then 았던 is used.
- In the verb stem ends with anything other than 오 or 아 then 었던 is used.
1) 뉴욕으로 출장 갔던 일은 어땠어요?
How was your business trip to New York?
2) 요전 날 밤 스테이크 팰리스에서 먹었던 저녁은 어땠어요?
How was dinner the other night at Steak Palace?
3) 지난주에 샀던 책 어땠어요?
How was the book you bought last week?
In case of : Adjective + 았/었던
After removing 다 from the root word, add 았/었던
- If the word stem ends with 오 or 아 then 았던 is used.
- In the word stem ends with anything other than 오 or 아 then 었던 is used.
1) 그를 보자 화났던 것이 눈 녹듯 사라졌다
When I saw him, my anger disappeared like snow.
2) 그들은 많은 이들로부터 운이 나빴던 것으로 여겨졌다.
They were considered bad luck by many.
3) 하지만 그것도 잠시, 그 아름다웠던 기억들이 조금씩 사라져버리게 되죠.
But soon, the beautiful memories fade away little by little.
To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:
- TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.
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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.
