-더군요/더라고요
Used to recall something the speaker directly experienced (saw, heard, or felt) in the past. '-더군요' is more formal/polite, while '-더라고요' is common in casual conversation.
Summary
Equivalent
(I noticed that)..., (I saw that)..., (I found that)...
Also: -더군 · -더라
Example
When I went to the wedding, (I noticed that) the groom and bride really suited each other.
결혼식에 가 보니까 신랑과 신부가 참 잘 어울리더군요.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'I personally saw/felt [X] happen.' You cannot use this for your own first-person actions unless you are observing yourself objectively.
- Cannot be used for the speaker's own intentional actions in the first person.
(Incorrect) 나는 어제 영화를 보더라고요. (Correct) 친구가 어제 영화를 보더라고요.
Patterns
V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)
과거 (Past experience) · -더군요 / -더라고요
N (Nouns)
과거 (Past experience) · (이)더군요 / (이)더라고요
Example sentences
When I went to the wedding, (I noticed that) the groom and bride really suited each other.
결혼식에 가 보니까 신랑과 신부가 참 잘 어울리더군요.
(I saw that) there were so many people buying gifts at the department store yesterday.
어제 백화점에 가니까 선물을 사러 온 사람이 정말 많더라고요.
Having met them in person, (I found that) their personality is very kind.
그분은 실제로 만나 보니까 성격이 아주 친절하시더군요.
Conversation
A: Did you watch that new movie that came out yesterday?
어제 새로 개봉한 영화 봤어요?
B: Yes, I did, and (I found that) the main actor's performance was really impressive.
네, 저도 봤는데 주인공의 연기가 정말 인상적이더라고요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct 'recalling an observation' phrase.
Observing a busy restaurant.
Noticing someone's reputation.