V~는/ㄴ 답시고 [Korean Grammar]

Today, we'll be looking at the usage of "V ~는/ㄴ 답시고" with some example sentences. 

Usage:

The first clause expresses what someone intended to do or claimed to do, while the second clause describes the contrasting or disappointing reality.

-답시고 is a connective ending used when the speaker feels displeased, critical, or ironic about the subject’s action or reason, implying that what they did was unnecessary, excessive, or ended up badly.

The word "답시고" means…. under the pretence of, with the intention of, with a view to, motives of etc.

It can be used like ~다면서 or ~다고 하면서, but the speaker is always disapproving or dissatisfied about the result in the second clause. It sounds a bit sarcastic.

Thing to keep in mind : 는/ㄴ 답시고 is always added after verbs.

The rule to conjugate is simple:

1. If the word doesn't ends with a final consonant (받침) but instead ends with a vowel, then ~ㄴ 답시고 is used.
2. If the word ends with a final consonant (밧침) then ~는 답시고 is used.

Example :

1. 도서관에 간 답시고 나가서 놀기만했다.

He said he was going to the library, but he just went out to play.

2. 그가 집안 일을 도와 준 답시고 내 스웨터를 물에 빨았 더니 줄어들 게했다.

He said he was helping with the housework, but he ended up shrinking my sweater in the wash.

3. 지수는 도와준답시고 귀찮게 해서 오히려 폐만 된다.

Jisoo tries to help, but just ends up being annoying and causing trouble.

4. 동생은 라디오를 고친답시고 만지다가 아예 망가뜨려 버렸다.

My younger brother tried to fix the radio, but ended up breaking it completely.

5. 승규가 위로한답시고 한 말이 민준이에게는 오히려 상처가 되었다.

What Seung-gyu said to comfort Min-jun only ended up hurting him instead.

6. 내 이사를 돕는답시고 친구가 오히려 더 정신이 없다.

My friend tried to help me move, but just ended up making things more chaotic.

7.아들 녀석은 책을 읽는답시고 앉아서 꾸벅꾸벅 졸고 있다.

My son says he’s reading a book, but he’s just sitting there dozing off.

8.승규는 길을 묻는답시고 지나가는 여자에게 말을 걸어 보았다.

Seung-gyu pretended to ask for directions just to talk to a woman passing by.

9. 가: 지수는 어디 갔어?

A: Where did Jisoo go?

나: 공부도 다 안 해 놓고 스트레스를 받는답시고 놀러 나갔어요.

B:  She didn’t even finish studying but said she was stressed, so she went out to have fun.

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1. 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.