-마따나

As One Says

Level 5Sounds Like mattana

-마따나 is attached to 말 or 말씀 (after a person, saying, or proverb) to indicate that the following statement is true or justified, just as that speech suggests.

How It Works

-마따나 is a particle meaning 'just as'. It follows the noun 말 (speech, words) or 말씀, so the whole phrase means 'like the words of...'. It's used to introduce a statement that aligns with or proves something previously said by someone or a well-known proverb.

Usage:
It is attached directly to 말 or 말씀 without a space. What comes before it is usually:

  • A person or title: 어머니 말마따나 (as my mother says), 선생님 말씀마따나 (as the teacher's words say)
  • The listener: 네 말마따나 (as you say)
  • A type of saying: 옛말마따나 (as the old saying goes), 속담 말마따나 (as the proverb goes)

This pattern is often used to show agreement or to provide a reason for a belief or action by referencing an authoritative or familiar source. It is a colloquial, spoken pattern, often used when you comment on a saying or on what someone told you.

Examples (4)

  1. 옛말마따나 쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날이 있다더니, 드디어 저에게도 좋은 기회가 왔어요.

    As the old saying goes, 'Even a mouse hole gets its day in the sun,' and a good opportunity has finally come to me.

    Word by Word: Old saying-as it says even in a mouse hole sun entering day exists they said, finally to me too a good opportunity came.

    Here, 옛말마따나 cites a well-known proverb to express hope and explain the speaker's feeling that their luck has turned.

  2. 네 말마따나 지금 시작하지 않으면 나중에 크게 후회할 것 같아.

    Just as you said, I think I'll regret it a lot later if I don't start now.

    Word by Word: Your words-as they say now if I don't start later greatly will regret it seems.

    The speaker agrees with the listener's previous advice, using 네 말마따나 to confirm that the listener's words were correct.

  3. 선생님 말씀마따나 꾸준히 노력하는 것이 합격의 비결이었어요.

    As the teacher said, consistently making an effort was the secret to passing.

    Word by Word: Teacher's words-as they say consistently trying thing of passing the secret was.

    This sentence uses the teacher's advice as a justification for the outcome, showing that the advice was true.

  4. 속담 말마따나 싼 게 비지떡이라더니, 이 신발은 한 달 만에 망가졌어.

    As the proverb goes, 'cheap things are bad quality,' and indeed, these shoes broke in just a month.

    Word by Word: Proverb word-as it says cheap thing is rice-cake-dregs they said, these shoes in one month's time broke.

    The proverb '싼 게 비지떡이다' (cheap things are low quality) is cited with 속담 말마따나 to explain why the shoes broke so quickly.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -마따나 with verbs or adjectives instead of nouns.

    Not Quite그녀가 예쁘다마따나 모두가 그녀를 좋아해요.
    Better그 말마따나 그녀는 정말 예뻐서 모두가 좋아해요.

    -마따나 must be attached to a noun that represents the speaker or the speech itself (e.g., 네 말 - your words, 옛말 - old saying). You cannot attach it directly to a verb or adjective stem. To quote what was said, you refer to the 'words' (말) as a noun.

  • Confusing -마따나 with -대로 (according to).

    Not Quite의사 선생님마따나 약을 먹었어요.
    Better의사 선생님 말씀대로 약을 먹었어요.

    While similar, -마따나 is used to confirm that a statement or situation is true, aligning with what was said. -대로 is used to mean you followed an instruction, plan, or order. In this case, you are following the doctor's instructions, so 말씀대로 is more appropriate.

Related Patterns

Words in This Pattern

마따나
Practice -마따나 in BubblegumPoppy, your AI tutor, writes Korean lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.