-던 / -았/었던 / -ㄴ/은
Past Modifiers
-던, -았/었던, and -ㄴ/은 are all used to describe a noun with an action or state that happened in the past. They attach to verb stems and come before the noun they modify.
How It Works
Understanding the subtle differences between these past modifiers is key to expressing nuanced memories and descriptions. All three turn a verb into an adjective-like form to describe a noun.
1. -ㄴ/은: The Standard Past Modifier
This is the most common and neutral way to describe a noun with a past action. It simply states that an action was completed.
- Usage: Attaches to action verb stems.
- Meaning: Indicates a single, completed action in the past. The result of the action is often still relevant.
- Example: 어제 본 영화 (the movie I saw yesterday) - The action of seeing the movie is complete.
2. -던: Recollection of Incomplete or Repeated Actions
This form is used when recalling past events. It has two main meanings:
- Meaning A: Repeated/Habitual Action: Describes something you used to do regularly but don't anymore.
- 어렸을 때 자주 가던 공원 (the park I often used to go to when I was young) - Meaning B: Incomplete Action: Describes an action that was in progress but was interrupted or not finished.
- 어제 읽던 책 (the book I was reading yesterday) - Implies you didn't finish it.
3. -았/었던: Recollection of a Completed, Disconnected Past
This form combines the past tense marker -았/었- with -더-. It emphasizes that a past action or state is completely over and has no connection to the present. It often carries a stronger sense of reminiscence than -ㄴ/은.
- Usage: Attaches to both action and descriptive verb stems.
- Meaning: Recalls a specific, completed event or state from the past that is now finished.
- Example: 작년에 갔었던 부산 (Busan, which I had gone to last year) - Emphasizes the memory of the completed trip.
Key Comparison:
- 읽은 책: The book I read (and finished). (Neutral, completed)
- 읽던 책: The book I was reading (and didn't finish). (Incomplete)
- 읽었던 책: The book I had read (in the past, emphasizing the memory of finishing it). (Completed, reminiscent)
While -ㄴ/은 and -았/었던 can sometimes be interchangeable, -았/었던 adds a stronger feeling of looking back on a more distant or disconnected past experience.
Examples (5)
- 이것은 제가 어제 읽은 책이에요.
This is the book I read yesterday.
Word by Word: This is I yesterday read book.
읽은 책 uses -ㄴ/은 to state a simple, completed fact: the action of reading the book is finished.
- 어제 읽던 책을 마저 읽어야 해요.
I have to finish reading the book I was reading yesterday.
Word by Word: Yesterday was reading book finish reading must do.
읽던 책 uses -던 to imply the action was in progress and not completed. You were in the middle of reading it.
- 우리가 자주 가던 식당이 문을 닫았어요.
The restaurant we used to go to often has closed.
Word by Word: We often used to go restaurant door closed.
-던 is used here to describe a habitual action in the past (going to the restaurant often) that no longer happens.
- 작년에 갔었던 제주도 여행은 정말 좋았어요.
The trip to Jeju Island that I went on last year was really great.
Word by Word: Last year had gone to Jeju Island trip really was good.
갔었던 uses -았/었던 to reminisce about a completed past experience (the trip) that is now over.
- 이 집은 제가 어렸을 때 살았던 집이에요.
This is the house I lived in when I was young.
Word by Word: This house is I when young lived in house.
살았던 집 emphasizes the completed period of living there in the past, which is now completely over. 살던 집 would also be possible, emphasizing the continuous state of living there.
Common Mistakes
Using -던 for a single, completed action.
Different Meaning어제 보던 영화는 재미있었어요.Better어제 본 영화는 재미있었어요.If you finished the movie, the action is complete, so the neutral past modifier -ㄴ/은 is correct. '보던 영화' implies you were in the middle of watching it but didn't finish.
Using -았/었던 when the result is still present and relevant.
Different Meaning이것은 제가 방금 만들었던 빵입니다.Better이것은 제가 방금 만든 빵입니다.-았/었던 emphasizes a disconnection from the present. Since you just made the bread and it's right here, the result is very current. The neutral -ㄴ/은 is much more natural.
Learn This First
This comparison helps you understand the differences between -던 and -았/었던 and -ㄴ/은. Study each pattern individually first.
Related Patterns
- -았/었던Had Been, Used to
This modifier is used for completed past actions, like -ㄴ/은, but adds a stronger nuance of reminiscence and disconnection from the present.
- -더-Past Observation Marker
This is the retrospective marker that forms the basis of -던 and -았/었던. Understanding -더- helps clarify why these forms are used for recalling past events.
- -는/ㄹVerb Noun Modifier
These are the present (-는) and future (-ㄹ) noun modifiers. Comparing them with the past modifiers helps understand the entire system of how verbs describe nouns across different tenses.
- -았/었/였-Past Tense
This is the past tense marker. It is combined with -더- to create -았/었던, which explicitly marks the action as completed in the past.