-다니요?
Used to express strong disbelief, surprise, or objection at what was just said. The speaker is essentially saying 'I can't believe what you just said!'
Summary
Equivalent
What do you mean...?! / How can it be that...?!
Also: -다고요? (Simple echo/clarification - less surprise than '-다니요?')
Example
What do you mean the meeting starts now? Nobody is prepared.
회의를 지금 시작한다니요? 아무도 준비가 안 됐는데요.
Grammar rules
- Carries a much stronger emotional reaction than '-다고요?'.
- Can indicate shock, rejection, or protest.
- Tone is critical — can sound confrontational depending on context.
- Used in response to something just said or heard. It presupposes what was said is surprising or unacceptable.
이 프로젝트를 오늘까지 끝내라니요? 말도 안 돼요. (You're telling me to finish this project by today?! That's impossible.)
Patterns
Verbs
Present/Past Expression of Disbelief · Verb Stem + 는다니요? / (으)ㄴ다니요? / 았/었다니요?
Adjectives
Present · Adjective Stem + 다니요?
Nouns
Present · Noun + 이라니요?
Example sentences
What do you mean the meeting starts now? Nobody is prepared.
회의를 지금 시작한다니요? 아무도 준비가 안 됐는데요.
What do you mean this meal costs 500,000 won? That's hard to believe.
이 음식 값이 50만원이라니요? 믿기 어렵네요.
What do you mean he is the culprit? There's absolutely no way.
그가 범인이라니요? 절대 그럴 리 없어요.
Conversation
A: I heard the event this time was cancelled.
이번 행사가 취소됐대요.
B: It was cancelled?! But we spent months preparing for it!
취소됐다니요? 몇 달 동안 준비했는데요!
Practice
Fill in the blank
React with strong disbelief using '-다니요?'.
Leaving the team.
Something expensive.