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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

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

수미 씨가 바쁘다고 했어요.

My friend asked when I am coming. (Interrogative)

친구가 언제 오냐고 물어봤어요.

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

제임스 씨가 주말에 만나자고 했어요.

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.