-는데

But, And

Level 3Sounds Like neunde

-는데 is a versatile connector used to link clauses. It can mean 'but', 'and so', or simply set the scene for the next part of the sentence.

This pattern also has a main page: -ㄴ/는데 (Background Info, But).

How It Works

-는데 is a crucial connective ending with three primary functions. Understanding them will make your Korean sound much more natural.

1. Providing Background or Situation
This is the most common use. The first clause sets the scene or provides context for the main point, question, or suggestion in the second clause.

비가 오는데, 우산 있어요? (It's raining, so do you have an umbrella?)
지금 도서관에 가는데, 같이 갈래요? (I'm going to the library now, do you want to go together?)

2. Showing Contrast
It can be used to show a soft or mild contrast between two clauses, similar to -지만 (but).

그 식당은 음식은 맛있는데, 좀 시끄러워요. (The food at that restaurant is delicious, but it's a bit noisy.)
열심히 공부했는데, 시험을 잘 못 봤어요. (I studied hard, but I didn't do well on the test.)

3. Expressing Surprise or Exclamation
When used at the end of a sentence, often with an exclamatory tone, it expresses the speaker's surprise or reaction to a situation they just noticed.

와, 저 배우 정말 잘생겼는데! (Wow, that actor is really handsome!)
날씨가 좋은데! (The weather is so nice!)

Conjugation Rules:
The form changes depending on the word type.

Action Verbs & 있다/없다: Stem + 는데
- 가다 → 가는데
- 먹다 → 먹는데
- 있다 → 있는데
Adjectives:
- Stem ends in a vowel: + -ㄴ데 (e.g., 크다 → 큰데)
- Stem ends in a consonant: + -은데 (e.g., 작다 → 작은데)
Nouns: Noun + 이다 → -(이)ㄴ데
- 학생 → 학생인데
- 의사 → 의사인데
Past Tense: Verb/Adjective Stem + -았/었- + 는데. This attaches -는데 to the past tense stem.
- 하다 → 했- + -는데 → 했는데
- 예쁘다 → 예뻤- + -는데 → 예뻤는데

Examples (5)

비가 오는데 어디 가요?
It's raining, so where are you going?
Word by Word: Rain is coming, but where are you going?
Here, '비가 오는데' sets the background situation (it's raining) for the question '어디 가요?'.
이 옷은 디자인이 예쁜데 좀 비싸요.
This piece of clothing has a pretty design, but it's a bit expensive.
Word by Word: This clothing's design is pretty but a little expensive.
This example shows contrast. '예쁜데' (from 예쁘다) connects the positive point (pretty design) with the negative one (expensive).
어제 영화를 봤는데 정말 재미있었어요.
I watched a movie yesterday, and it was really fun.
Word by Word: Yesterday movie watched but really was fun.
This uses the past tense form -았는데. The first clause provides the context (watching a movie) for the second clause (it was fun).
와, 날씨가 정말 좋은데!
Wow, the weather is so nice!
Word by Word: Wow, weather really is good!
Used as a sentence ender, '좋은데' expresses the speaker's pleasant surprise upon noticing the good weather.
저는 학생인데, 혹시 할인되나요?
I'm a student, so by any chance is there a discount?
Word by Word: I am a student but, by any chance is a discount possible?
This shows the usage with a noun + 인데. '학생인데' provides the background information (being a student) as a reason for asking about a discount.

Common Mistakes

Using -는데 with adjectives instead of the correct -ㄴ/은데 form.
Not Quite이 가방이 예쁘는데 너무 무거워요.
Better이 가방이 예쁜데 너무 무거워요.
For adjectives like 예쁘다, you must use -ㄴ데 if the stem ends in a vowel (예쁘 + ㄴ데) or -은데 if it ends in a consonant (작다 → 작은데). -는데 is reserved for action verbs.
Confusing the contrast meaning with the stronger contrast of -지만.
Different Meaning저는 김치를 좋아하는데 제 친구는 김치를 싫어해요. (This is not strictly incorrect, but -지만 is often more natural for direct opposition).
Better저는 김치를 좋아하지만 제 친구는 김치를 싫어해요.
While -는데 can show contrast, -지만 is used for a direct, strong opposition ('I like kimchi, BUT my friend hates it'). -는데 provides a softer contrast, more like setting up two related but different facts.