-단 말
Just, Only
-단 말 is a sentence ending used to repeat or emphasize what was just said, often showing surprise, frustration, or disbelief. It's like saying, "You mean...?" or "Are you saying that...?"
How It Works
The pattern '-단 말' is a powerful tool for adding emotional emphasis to a statement. It's a contraction of the full form -다고 하다 (to say that...) combined with -는 and 말 (word/statement).
Conjugation:
The conjugation depends on the word type and tense.
- Action Verbs (Present): Verb stem + -ㄴ/는단 말
- 가다 → 간단 말 (You mean you're going?)
- 먹다 → 먹는단 말 (You mean you're eating?) - Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives): Adjective stem + -단 말
- 예쁘다 → 예쁘단 말 (You mean it's pretty?)
- 춥다 → 춥단 말 (You mean it's cold?) - Nouns: Noun + -(이)란 말
- 학생이다 → 학생이란 말 (You mean you're a student?)
- 거짓말이다 → 거짓말이란 말 (You mean it's a lie?) - Past Tense: Verb/Adjective stem + -았/었단 말
- 했다 → 했단 말 (You mean you did it?)
- 좋았다 → 좋았단 말 (You mean it was good?)
Usage in Sentences:
This pattern is typically followed by endings like -이야?, -이에요?, -입니까? to form a question of disbelief, or -이다 to make a strong assertion.
- Expressing Disbelief: "지금 집에 간단 말이야? 일이 아직 안 끝났는데?" (You mean you're going home now? The work isn't finished yet!)
- Expressing Frustration: "안 들린단 말이야! 더 크게 말해!" (I'm telling you I can't hear! Speak louder!)
- Confirming Information: "이게 전부 공짜란 말이에요?" (Are you saying all of this is free?)
It's primarily used in spoken Korean and adds a significant emotional weight to the conversation.
Examples (4)
- 내일 시험이 취소됐단 말이야?
Are you saying the exam for tomorrow was canceled?
Word by Word: Tomorrow exam was canceled, you mean?
The speaker is expressing surprise and seeking confirmation about the exam being canceled.
- 하기 싫단 말이에요! 왜 자꾸 시켜요?
I'm saying I don't want to do it! Why do you keep making me?
Word by Word: To do is disliked, I'm saying! Why keep making me do it?
This shows frustration. The speaker is emphatically stating their unwillingness to do something.
- 그 사람이 범인이었단 말인가...
So you mean to say that person was the culprit...
Word by Word: That person was the culprit, you mean...
This is a rhetorical question, often said to oneself, expressing shock or realization.
- 이게 네가 만든 케이크란 말이야? 정말 맛있어 보여!
You mean this is the cake you made? It looks really delicious!
Word by Word: This is the cake you made, you mean? Really delicious it looks!
Here, '-란 말이야?' is used to express pleasant surprise and amazement.
Common Mistakes
Using '-단 말' for neutral, unemotional statements.
Different Meaning저는 학생이란 말입니다.Better저는 학생입니다.'-단 말' carries a strong emotional tone of surprise, frustration, or emphasis. Using it for a simple, neutral fact like 'I am a student' sounds unnatural and overly dramatic. The standard '입니다' is correct for a plain statement.
Learn This First
To emphasize limitation 'just/only', you need statement form knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -는다고/ㄴ다고/다고Say That, Claim That
This is the indirect quotation form that is the origin of '-단 말'. '-단 말' is a contraction of '-다고 하는 말'. Understanding how to quote sentences is fundamental to understanding this pattern.
- -다니I Can't Believe, To Think That
Both patterns express surprise or disbelief. '-다니' is a reaction to information ('To think that...!'), while '-단 말' is often a question to confirm that surprising information ('Are you saying that...?').
- -잖아You Know, ... Right?
Both are used for emphasis. '-잖아' is used to state something the listener should already know ('...you know'). '-단 말' is used to emphasize something with a stronger emotion, like disbelief or frustration, rather than simple confirmation.
- -거든If, When (Casual)
When used at the end of a sentence, '-거든' provides a reason or background information with an assertive tone. This is similar to how '-단 말이다' can be used to strongly assert a fact, though '-거든' is more explanatory while '-단 말이다' is more emotionally charged.