Advanced Estimated read: 3 mins

-(느)ㄴ답시고

Used sarcastically to describe someone who tried to do something helpful or impressive, but the result was disappointing or annoying.

Summary

Equivalent

Thinking/Claiming that one is doing (so-and-so)... but...

Also: -(느)ㄴ다고

Example

My husband made a mess of the kitchen thinking he was 'cooking'.

남편이 요리를 한답시고 부엌을 엉망으로 만들었다.

Grammar rules

  • It means 'They did it claiming it was for [X], but actually...'.
  • It attaches to verbs and carries a mocking or frustrated tone.
  • When used about oneself, it humble-brags or expresses regret that one's good intentions failed ('I tried my best to do X, but...').
  • It can also be used to show that something is unsatisfactory. In these cases, it attaches to nouns as '-(이)랍시고' or adjectives as '-답시고'.

    선물이랍시고 자기가 쓰던 안경을 주었다. (They gave me glasses they used to wear and called it a 'gift'.)

  • When speaking modestly about oneself, the speaker can say '-(느)ㄴ답시고 했는데' (I tried to do X, but...).

    제가 요리를 한답시고 했는데 맛이 있을지 모르겠어요. (I tried my best to cook, but I don't know if it tastes good.)

Patterns

1

V (Verbs)

현재 (Present) · -(느)ㄴ답시고

Example sentences

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -(느)ㄴ답시고

My husband made a mess of the kitchen thinking he was 'cooking'.

남편이 요리를 한답시고 부엌을 엉망으로 만들었다.

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -(느)ㄴ답시고

Claiming she was 'going on a diet', she starved herself for a few days and actually ended up getting sick.

다이어트를 한답시고 며칠 굶더니 오히려 병이 났어.

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -(느)ㄴ답시고

I went shopping thinking it would 'refresh my mood', but I just ended up blowing my money.

기분 전환을 한답시고 쇼핑을 했는데 돈만 날렸어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct phrase indicating a failed intention or sarcastic claim.

동생이 방 청소를 한다고 하더니 물건을 다 버려버렸어요.

컴퓨터를 자기가 직접 고친다고 하더니 오히려 더 망가뜨렸어요.