Using 데 for showing contrast
The 지만 and 데 form can be used to show contrast. This lesson will focus on using 데 for contrast.
We already learned the 지만, meaning but, in a previous lesson. For example:
저도 같이 놀고 싶지만 시간이 없어요.
I also want to hang out but I have no time.
지만 shows strong contrast, it shows there’s something different between the first and second part of the sentence.
A common way to show contrast also is using 은 / 는, the topic marker. It can show contrast by itself without additional grammar. You can think of it as meaning something like “As for …” or “When it comes to …”.
Showing contrast using 데
Section titled “Showing contrast using 데”The 데 form is also used to show contrast, but it indicates less contrast than the 지만 form. 데 can translate to both but and and.
데 with action verbs
Section titled “데 with action verbs”Action Verb Stem + 는데
- Get the verb stem of an action verb.
- Attach
는데.- For action verb stems that end with the consonant
ㄹ, remove it and then attach the는데.
- For action verb stems that end with the consonant
- Finish the rest of the sentence, or attach 요 if it’s used in the end of a sentence.
For example:
- 좋아하다 → 좋아하는데
- 먹다 → 먹는데
- 살다 → 사는데
- 있다 → 있는데
- 없다 → 없는데
있다 and 없다 use this approach as well, even when used as descriptive verbs. This also applies to adjectives ending in them: 맛있다 → 맛있는데.
데 with descriptive verbs
Section titled “데 with descriptive verbs”Descriptive verb stem + (은/ㄴ) 데
- Get the verb stem of a descriptive verb.
- Depending on the ending:
- Ends in a consonant: Attach
은데. - Ends in a vowel: attach
ㄴ데. - Ends with the consonant
ㄹ: Removeㄹ, then attachㄴ데. - Irregular descriptive verbs ending with the consonant
ㅂ: Removeㅂ, then attach우and thenㄴ데.
- Ends in a consonant: Attach
- Finish the rest of the sentence, or attach
요if it’s used at the end of a sentence.
For example:
- 친절하다 → 친절한데
- 좋다 → 좋은데
- 길다 → 긴데
- 맵다 → 매운데
Past tense with 데
Section titled “Past tense with 데”For both action and descriptive verbs, attach 는데 after the past-tense marker (았 / 었):
- 가다 → 갔는데
- 먹다 → 먹었는데
- 좋다 → 좋았는데
Future tense with 데
Section titled “Future tense with 데”The future tense form 것이다 can combine with the 데 form to become 것인데, commonly shortened to 건데.
Example sentences:
내일 영화 보러 갈 건데요.
I will go see a movie tomorrow.
내일 영화를 보러 갈 건데 친구는 같이 못 가요.
I'm going to see a movie tomorrow, but my friend can't come.
Example sentences using 데
Section titled “Example sentences using 데”It can be a bit difficult to translate this form directly into English, so let’s cover some examples:
비가 오고 있는데 우산이 없어요.
It's raining but I don't have an umbrella.
아침에 눈이 왔는데 지금은 안 추워요.
It snowed in the morning but now it's not cold.
병원에 갔는데 의사를 만날 수 없었어요.
I went to the hospital but could not meet the doctor.
바쁜데 만날 수 있어요?
You're busy but can you meet?
김치는 매운데 맛있어요.
Kimchi is spicy but delicious.
데 at the end of a sentence
Section titled “데 at the end of a sentence”You can also end with 는데요 / (으)ㄴ데요 to provide background, invite a response, or imply an unstated contrast. The meaning depends on context.
When to use 데 or 지만
Section titled “When to use 데 or 지만”Both the 데 form and 지만 forms can translate to but, but there are situations where 데 will sound more natural. The 데 form is used more often when trying to explain something, e.g. English sentences which might use a so, you see or I'm trying to explain or similar.