Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-다고 하던데

Used to relay information the speaker heard from someone else or from a source, while recollecting that piece of information and opening it up for discussion or follow-up.

Summary

Equivalent

I heard that... (and was thinking about it) / They say that...

Also: -(으)ㄴ/는다고 해요 (I heard that... - simple hearsay without recollective nuance) · -(으)ㄴ/는다던데 (Contracted)

Example

I heard the weather is good this weekend — shall we go hiking together?

이번 주말에 날씨가 좋다고 하던데 같이 등산 갈까요?

Grammar rules

  • Combines '-(으)ㄴ/는다고 하다' (reported speech) with '-던데' (recollective background).
  • The speaker is sharing hearsay and often expects a response from the listener.
  • Unlike simple '-(ㄴ/는)다고 해요', '-다고 하던데' adds a nuance of 'I was thinking about what I heard' and can introduce a question or request based on that.

    그 약국이 문을 닫는다고 하던데 다른 약국을 찾아봐야겠어요. (I heard that pharmacy is closing, so we should look for another one.)

Patterns

1

Verbs

Present (Hearsay + Recollection) · Verb Stem + 는다고 하던데 / (으)ㄴ다고 하던데

2

Adjectives

Present · Adjective Stem + 다고 하던데

3

Verbs/Adj (Past Hearsay)

Past · Stem + 았/었다고 하던데

Example sentences

Adjectives · Present · Adjective Stem + 다고 하던데

I heard the weather is good this weekend — shall we go hiking together?

이번 주말에 날씨가 좋다고 하던데 같이 등산 갈까요?

Verbs · Present (Hearsay + Recollection) · Verb Stem + 는다고 하던데 / (으)ㄴ다고 하던데

I heard that restaurant is newly opening — have you been?

그 식당이 새로 오픈한다고 하던데 가 봤어요?

Verbs/Adj (Past Hearsay) · Past · Stem + 았/었다고 하던데

I heard Sumi received an award — is that true?

수미 씨가 상을 받았다고 하던데 정말이에요?

Conversation

A: Have you heard about that café?

저 카페에 대해 들어봤어요?

B: Yes, I heard their coffee is really good — shall we check it out together?

네, 거기 커피가 맛있다고 하던데 같이 가 볼까요?

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct reported speech + recollection expression.

Price drop (adj).

Difficult exam (adj).