-는데

[usakorjb03]

is there a lesson on here or anywhere that goes in depth with -는데(요)? i kno the basic of what it is and what not but i just wanna see lessons on it. so if anyone knows where i can see a lesson online please let me know.

고맙습니다

[shanshanchua]

I would like a lesson on that too!

[Chriss]

It's a good point to know, and I wouldn't mind if kclass covered it, too.

I learnt it from http://korean.sogang.ac.kr/ , Novice Korean II, Lesson 2. =) It could be more detailed, though.

[usakorjb03]

thanx, i looked on that site just yesterday and i guess i over looked it, but thanx, i kinda have a understanding of it already but sometimes i just to be reminded

고맙습니다

[khairshapiee]

그거 웹사이트를 좋아요, 고맙습니다 Chriss씨.

[Alexis]

Yes, I'd like a lesson on this, too!

BTW, what IS 는데? I've kinda been waiting to find out... XP

[SiEd]

Yes, I'd like a lesson on this, too!

BTW, what IS 는데? I've kinda been waiting to find out... XP

The suffix -는데 is what linguists call a "circumstantial" suffix. So, this particular suffix marks some sort of event or state as the present circumstance, without providing any other indication on how this event or state relates to others (i.e., it doesn't signal sequentiality or causality). At the most basic level, it simply indicates "coincidence", but one can elaborate on that premise and use the suffix to mitigate potentially contentious issues (such as telling someone that X is not around).

비가 오는데 우산 없어요.
'It's raining - (it just so happens that) I don't have an umbrella.'

엄마가 없는데요...
'(It just so happens that) Mom isn't home right now... (You can leave a message, simply leave, or something else.)

In fact, English speakers can use the phrase 'it just so happens that' for an analogous construction - but this seems pedantic at times. But in most cases, one can use -는데 in cases where it would still make sense to use 'it just so happens that' in English.

[Alexis]

Ahhh. OK, thanks for that explanation! ^_^ I'm glad to finally know. It seems that it's used so often.