A/V/N – 거든(요) [Korean Grammar]

The Korean grammar pattern " V+거든(요) " has different uses. Today, we'll be looking at the same, with some example sentences.

Usage :

This grammar pattern has several uses. It appears in the first clause when the speaker wants to give an explanation by first stating a fact and then continuing with more information in the following clause.

It is commonly used when the speaker is explaining something, clarifying a situation, denying something, or being slightly defensive. It tells the listener that the speaker has more to say after presenting the initial fact.

One important point is that ~거든(요) cannot be used as the very first sentence of a conversation or as a direct response to someone’s opening question.

It must be used when the speaker is providing a reason or background for something mentioned earlier or for something they are about to say next.

Essentially, ~거든(요) carries the nuance of “you see,” “the thing is,” or “it’s because,” and it is most naturally learned by listening to characters use it in dramas or movies, since the nuance becomes much clearer through context.

Adjective/ Verb  -거든요 (Present tense) / -았/었거든요 (Past tense) / -(으)ㄹ 거든요 (Past tense)

Rule for conjugation :

For the present tense, regardless of whether the verb or adjective stem ends with a consonant or a vowel, you simply drop -다 from the dictionary form and attach 거든요.

For the past tense, if the stem ends with 오 or 아, you use 았거든요, and for all other stems, you use 었거든요.

For the future tense, if the stem ends with a consonant, you attach -을 거거든요, and if it ends with a vowel, you attach -ㄹ 거거든요.

Let’s look at some examples using 좋다:
In the present tense it becomes 좋거든요, in the past tense 좋았거든요, and in the future tense 좋을 거거든요.

1) 버스 서비스가 별로 안 좋거든요.

The bus service is not very good.

2) 연기 그만 하길 원하셨지만, 저는 연기가 좋았거든요.

My parents wanted me to quit acting, but I liked it.

3) 아마 문자를 주시는 것이 가장 좋을 거든요. 

It's probably best to text me.

Noun - (이)거든요 (Present tense) / -였거든요 (Past tense)

Rule for conjugation :

Irrespective of whether the noun ends with a consonant or a vowel, 이거든요 is attached after the noun in the present tense, and 였거든요 is used in the past tense.

Let's see some example sentences related to the different usage of ~거든요 with Nouns.

1) 학생 - 학생이거든요.

Present Tense : 제가 항상 부지런한 1등 학생이거든요.

It's because I'm always the top, diligent student.

Past Tense : 제가 서울대학교 학생였거든요

I was a student at Seoul National University, you see.

2) 일요일 - 일요일이거든요.

Present Tense : 아시다시피, 8월 6일은 일요일이거든요.

As you know, August 6 is a Sunday.

Past Tense : 지난 주말에 생일였거든요.

It was my birthday last weekend, you know.

Some example sentences :

1) 바쁘지 않거든 연락해요.

If you’re not busy, contact me.

2) 힘들거든 쉬었다가 하세요.

If it’s difficult, take a break and then continue.

3) 좋은 일이 있거든 알려 주세요.

If something good happens, please let me know.

4) 값이 적당하거든 삽시다.

If the price is reasonable, let’s buy it.

5) 마음에 안 들거든 그만 둡시다.

If you don’t like it, let’s stop.

6) 공항에 가요. 친구가 한국에 오거든요.

I’m going to the airport because my friend is coming to Korea.

7) 나 지금 너무 슬프거든요. 혼자 내버려 둬요.

I’m really sad right now. Please leave me alone.

8) 물속에 안 들어갔어. 너무 무서웠거든.

I didn’t go into the water because it was too scary.

9) 생일 파티 있거든요.

I have a birthday party.

10) 그때 날씨가 아주 좋거든요.

The weather is really nice at that time.

11) 그리고 개인적으로는 최근에 몸 상태가 별로 안 좋았거든요.

And personally, I haven’t been feeling very well lately.

12) 읽을 만한 것을 찾고 있었거든요.

I’ve been looking for something worth reading.

13) 나도 전에 같은 경험이 있었거든요.

I’ve had the same experience before.

14) 우린 산으로 캠핑을 자주 가거든요.

We often go camping in the mountains.

15) 근데 제가 진짜 많이 욱하거든요.

But I actually lose my temper a lot.

16) 글쎄요, 저는 방금 아침을 먹었거든요.

Well, I just had breakfast.

17) 알아요, 보통 때는 그러지 않는데, 오늘은 저녁을 못 먹었거든요.

I know, I don’t usually do that, but I couldn’t eat dinner today.

18) 나는 지금 다이어트중이어서 점심때는 과일만 먹거든요.

I’m on a diet, so I only eat fruit at lunchtime.

19) 저는 술을 마실 때는 잘 먹지 않고 가끔 양배추 같은 야채를 먹거든요.

When I drink, I don’t eat much, but sometimes I just have vegetables like cabbage.

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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.