Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄹ 텐데

Used to express the speaker's strong expectation or assumption as background context for a subsequent suggestion, question, or contrasting statement.

Summary

Equivalent

I suppose that... so/but

Also: -(으)ㄹ 것 같은데 (I think it will... so/but)

Example

I expect the weather will be cold tomorrow, so dress warmly when you go.

내일 날씨가 추울 텐데 따뜻하게 입고 가세요.

Grammar rules

  • The first clause holds the assumption, and the second clause carries a related suggestion or contrasting fact.
  • Can also be used at sentence end as '-(으)ㄹ 텐데요' to express indirect supposition or regret.
  • '-(으)ㄹ 텐데요' at sentence end often invites the listener to react or provide a solution.

    지금 출발하면 길이 많이 막힐 텐데요... (If you leave now, the roads will probably be congested... [implying: maybe leave later?])

Patterns

1

Current/Future Supposition

Present/Future · Stem + (으)ㄹ 텐데

2

Past Supposition

Past · Stem + 았/었/했을 텐데

3

Nouns

Present · Noun + 일 텐데

Example sentences

Current/Future Supposition · Present/Future · Stem + (으)ㄹ 텐데

I expect the weather will be cold tomorrow, so dress warmly when you go.

내일 날씨가 추울 텐데 따뜻하게 입고 가세요.

Current/Future Supposition · Present/Future · Stem + (으)ㄹ 텐데

You must be busy preparing for the meeting, so thank you for helping.

회의 준비로 바쁘실 텐데 도와주셔서 감사합니다.

Past Supposition · Past · Stem + 았/었/했을 텐데

If I had woken up a little earlier, I suppose I could have caught the train. What a shame.

조금 일찍 일어났으면 기차를 탈 수 있었을 텐데 아쉬워요.

Conversation

A: Will you be able to carry this luggage to the post office by yourself?

이 짐을 우체국까지 혼자 들고 갈 수 있겠어요?

B: I suppose it will be a bit heavy, but I'll give it a try.

조금 무거울 텐데 한 번 해 볼게요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct supposition + background form.

Waiting.

Spicy.