Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-는 데다가

Used to stack an additional quality or situation on top of an already mentioned one, intensifying the overall picture.

Summary

Equivalent

In addition to... / Not only... but also...

Also: -뿐만 아니라 (Not only... but also - more formal)

Example

That apartment is spacious, and on top of that, the view is beautiful.

그 아파트는 넓은 데다가 뷰도 아름다워요.

Grammar rules

  • Both clauses typically point in the same direction (both positive or both negative), creating a cumulative effect.
  • Unlike '-지만' (contrast), '-는 데다가' reinforces the main point.
  • Not to be confused with '-는데 + -다가': these are two different structures. '-는 데다가' is a single compound connective expressing addition.

    요리를 잘하는 데다가 친절하기까지 해요. (Not only does she cook well, she's also kind, on top of that!)

Patterns

1

Verbs (Present)

Present · Verb Stem + 는 데다가

2

Adjectives (Present)

Present · Adjective Stem + (으)ㄴ 데다가

3

Past

Past · Stem + 았/었는 데다가

Example sentences

Adjectives (Present) · Present · Adjective Stem + (으)ㄴ 데다가

That apartment is spacious, and on top of that, the view is beautiful.

그 아파트는 넓은 데다가 뷰도 아름다워요.

Verbs (Present) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 데다가

Not only does that person sing well, they also dance well on top of it.

그 분은 노래를 잘하는 데다가 춤까지 잘 춰요.

Adjectives (Present) · Present · Adjective Stem + (으)ㄴ 데다가

It was cold and on top of that windy, so I didn't want to go outside.

날씨가 추운 데다가 바람까지 불어서 밖에 나가기가 싫었어요.

Conversation

A: You've put on a lot of weight lately.

요즘 살이 많이 쪘네요.

B: I think it's because I'm busy and on top of that I can't exercise.

바쁜 데다가 운동도 못 해서 그런 것 같아요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct additive stacking expression.

Kind and smart.

Raining + cold.