-(으)ㄴ/는데
Attached to verbs/adjectives to provide background information for the following clause, or to show contrast. It is a highly versatile connector.
Summary
Equivalent
But / However / and (Background information)
Also: -지마는 (But - slightly older/formal) · 그런데 (By the way/However - conjunction)
Example
The weather is nice, so shall we go for a walk together?
날씨가 좋은데 같이 산책할까요?
Grammar rules
- Use '은데/ㄴ데' for adjectives.
- Use '는데' for all verbs and for past/future tenses (e.g., 갔는데, 갈 건데).
- It introduces the situation so the speaker can then make a suggestion, ask a question, or state an opposing fact in the second clause.
- It sounds softer and more conversational than '-지만' when showing contrast.
이 옷 예쁜데 너무 비싸요. (This dress is pretty, but it's too expensive.)
Patterns
Adjectives (Consonant)
Present · Stem + 은데
Adjectives (Vowel/ㄹ)
Present · Stem + ㄴ데
All Verbs
Present · Stem + 는데
All Past Tense / Nouns
Past / Copula · 았/었는데 / Noun + 인데
Example sentences
The weather is nice, so shall we go for a walk together?
날씨가 좋은데 같이 산책할까요?
I am eating right now, so I will call you later.
제가 지금 밥을 먹는데 이따가 전화할게요.
The room is small, but the window is very big.
방이 작은데 창문은 아주 커요.
Conversation
A: Do you have time this evening?
오늘 저녁에 시간 있어요?
B: I have a gathering, why?
모임이 있는데 왜요?
Practice
Fill in the blank
Complete the sentence with the background/contrast ending '-(으)ㄴ/는데'.
Background suggestion.
Adjective contrast.