Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

Indirect Quotations (-다고 / -냐고 / -자고 / -라고 하다)

Used to report what someone else said without quoting them word for word. The ending changes depending on the original sentence type.

Summary

Equivalent

He said that... / She asked if... / They suggested that...

Example

Sumi said that she is busy. (Declarative - Adjective)

수미 씨가 바쁘다고 했어요.

Grammar rules

  • 1.
  • Declarative (-다고): Stating a fact.
  • 2.
  • Interrogative (-냐고): Repeating a question.
  • 3.
  • Propositive (-자고): Suggesting doing something together ('Let's').
  • 4.
  • Imperative (-(으)라고): Demanding or commanding someone to do something.
  • For imperative indirect quotes, '달라고 하다' is used when the original speaker asked for a favor for THEMSELVES (주세요). '주라고 하다' is used when asking a favor for a THIRD PERSON.

    수미가 책을 달라고 했어요. (Sumi said to give the book to HER.)

Patterns

1

Declarative (State a fact)

Present · Verb: -는/ㄴ다고 / Adj: -다고 / Noun: -(이)라고 하다

2

Interrogative (Ask a question)

Present · Verb/Adj + 냐고 묻다/하다

3

Propositive (Suggest)

Present · Verb + 자고 하다

4

Imperative (Command)

Present · Verb + (으)라고 하다

Example sentences

Declarative (State a fact) · Present · Verb: -는/ㄴ다고 / Adj: -다고 / Noun: -(이)라고 하다

Sumi said that she is busy. (Declarative - Adjective)

수미 씨가 바쁘다고 했어요.

Interrogative (Ask a question) · Present · Verb/Adj + 냐고 묻다/하다

My friend asked when I am coming. (Interrogative)

친구가 언제 오냐고 물어봤어요.

Propositive (Suggest) · Present · Verb + 자고 하다

James suggested that we meet on the weekend. (Propositive)

제임스 씨가 주말에 만나자고 했어요.

Imperative (Command) · Present · Verb + (으)라고 하다

The teacher told us to do the homework. (Imperative)

선생님이 숙제를 하라고 하셨어요.

Conversation

A: What did Andy say yesterday?

어제 앤디 씨가 뭐라고 했어요?

B: Andy suggested that we eat bibimbap.

앤디 씨가 비빔밥을 먹자고 했어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct indirect quotation form.

Eating.

Reading.