A/V-더니 [Korean Grammar]

"A/V-더니" has very different uses. 

Today, we’ll look at the usage of the Korean grammar pattern “A/V-더니” and how to form sentences with the help of some example sentences.

Usage:
This pattern is used when the speaker talks about something they directly saw or experienced in the past about someone else, and this past observation becomes the reason, cause, or background for what happens in the final clause.

It is a connective ending used when a new fact appears that is different from what the speaker realized through a past experience.

It is also used when the situation or person described in the first clause has changed in the second clause as time passes.

Adjective + 더니:

1. 감사하다 - 감사하더니
2. 거대하다 - 거대하더니
3. 좁다 - 좁더니
4. 엄청나다 - 엄청나더니

Verb + 더니:

1. 가다 - 가더니
2. 가져가다 - 가져가더니
3. 깨닫다 - 깨달더니 
4. 도와주다 - 도와주더니

Example :

1. 지난 겨울에는 눈이별로 안 오더니 이번에는 많이 오네요. 

It hardly snowed at all last winter, but this year it's snowing a lot.

2. 지난 주말에는 춥더니 이번주는 따뜻 해요.

Last week it was cold, but this week it’s warm.

3. 비가 오더니 날씨가 따뜻해졌다

It was raining, and now the weather has become warm.

4. 계속 노름을 하더니 그는 결국 가산을 탕진하고 말았다

He kept gambling, and in the end, he lost all his fortune.

5. 그 전에는 이곳이 절이더니

This place used to be a Buddhist temple.

6. 하늘이 흐려지더니 비가 온다.

The sky became cloudy, and now it’s raining.

7. 밥을 많이 먹었더니 배가 부르다.

I ate a lot, so I’m full.

8. 오랫동안 컴퓨터를 했더니 머리가 아프다.

I used the computer for a long time, and now my head hurts.

9. 어제 오랜만에 달리기를 했더니 다리가 아파서 그래.

I went running yesterday for the first time in a while, so my legs hurt.

10. 아침에는 눈이 오더니 지금은 하늘이 맑네.

It was snowing in the morning, but now the sky is clear.

11. 민준이가 아까까지만 해도 자고 있더니 지금은 공부를 하네?

Minjun was sleeping just a little while ago, and now he’s studying?

The radio was broken, but someone fixed it while I was away.

The radio was broken and someone fixed it while I was away.

13. 오전에 짐을 싸서 나가시더니 어느새 다시 돌아와 계시네.

You packed your things and went out in the morning, but you’re already back.

14. 그 사람이 그렇게 능력을 인정받더니 결국 금방 승진했잖아.

He was getting recognized for his abilities, and he ended up getting promoted quickly.

15. 그 아이는 친구들을 못살게 괴롭히더니 때리기까지 했다지 뭐야!

That kid kept bullying his friends, and I heard he even hit them!

16. 유민이가 계속 몸이 안 좋다더니 병원에 입원을 하게 된 모양이야.

Yumin kept saying she wasn’t feeling well, and it looks like she ended up being hospitalized.

17. 맞아요. 아무에게나 거짓말을 하더니 어떤 사람한테는 사기까지 쳤나 봐요.

That’s right. He kept lying to everyone, and it seems he even scammed someone.

To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:

1. TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.

If you are going to take the TOPIK Test for the first time, or if you want to give your score a boost so that you can pass a higher level, we would strongly advise you to get the Complete Guide to TOPIK – Self-Study Package. It is a digital study package that has everything you need to get a great score in the TOPIK test – all the past TOPIK papers with answer sheets, grammar and vocabulary study material, video tutorials explaining the test structure, strategies to solve them and much more. You can check out more details about this study package HERE.

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.