The Korean grammar patterns ‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ are used to recall past experiences, describe past states, or indicate uncertainty. They can also be used to compare different possibilities. In this guide, we will cover their definition, structure, meaning, usage, and common mistakes.
Contents
1. Definition
‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ are used to recall a past state or action that is no longer true or has changed. They often correspond to “used to” or “was once” in English, but with some nuanced differences.
2. Form (Structure)
The form of ‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ changes depending on the type of word they follow.
| Type | Structure | Example |
| Verb | Verb stem + 던 | 살던 집 (house where [someone] used to live) |
| Adjective | Adjective stem + 던 | 작던 신발 (shoes that used to be small) |
| Noun (consonant ending) | Noun + 이던 | 학생이던 시절 (the time when [someone] was a student) |
| Noun (vowel ending) | Noun + 던 | 교사던 때 (when [someone] was a teacher) |
3. Meaning & Usage
The grammar patterns ‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ are primarily used to describe past experiences and recall past states. Here are the main usages with example sentences:
- Recalling a Past State or Action (Used to / Was …)
‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ are often used to describe something that existed or happened in the past but may not be the same now.
Structure:
- Verb: Verb stem + 던 → Describes an action that was repeated or ongoing in the past.
- Adjective: Adjective stem + 던 → Describes a past state.
- Noun: N(이)던 → Refers to a past situation or status.
Example Sentences:
- 내가 살던 동네는 지금 많이 변했어요.
(The neighborhood where I used to live has changed a lot now.) - 아버지가 타던 차를 형이 물려받았어요.
(My brother inherited the car that my father used to drive.) - 어릴 때 먹던 과자가 아직도 맛있어요.
(The snack I used to eat when I was young still tastes good.) - 예전에 유명했던 배우가 다시 활동을 시작했어요.
(The actor who used to be famous has resumed activities.) - 학생이던 시절이 그리워요.
(I miss the days when I was a student.)
- Describing Something That Was Interrupted or Left Unfinished
‘A/V던’ can indicate an action that was not completed or was stopped in the middle.
Structure:
- Verb: Verb stem + 던 → Describes an action that was in progress but was interrupted.
Example Sentences:
- 어제 보던 드라마를 아직 다 못 봤어요.
(I haven’t finished watching the drama I was watching yesterday.) - 친구가 말하던 참에 전화가 왔어요.
(The phone rang while my friend was talking.) - 마시던 커피가 식었어요.
(The coffee I was drinking got cold.) - 쓰던 연필을 어디에 뒀는지 기억이 안 나요.
(I don’t remember where I put the pencil I was using.) - 읽던 책을 다시 시작하려고 해요.
(I’m planning to start reading the book I was reading again.)
- Expressing a Change from Past to Present
‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ can be used to highlight a change between a past state and the current situation.
Structure:
- A/V/N + 던 → Describes a past state that has changed.
Example Sentences:
- 작던 아이가 이제 어른이 되었어요.
(The child who used to be small has now become an adult.) - 조용하던 동네가 요즘 시끄러워졌어요.
(The neighborhood that used to be quiet has become noisy these days.) - 학생이던 그가 이제는 선생님이 되었어요.
(He, who used to be a student, has now become a teacher.) - 자주 가던 식당이 문을 닫았어요.
(The restaurant we used to go to often has closed.) - 인기 있던 앱이 지금은 거의 사용되지 않아요.
(The app that used to be popular is hardly used now.)
3. Key Points to Remember
- ‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ are used to describe past actions, states, or experiences.
- ‘A/V던’ is used with verbs and adjectives to describe ongoing or repeated past actions or states.
- ‘N(이)던’ is used with nouns to refer to past conditions or experiences related to the noun.
- ‘A/V던’ expresses something habitual or customary in the past, similar to “used to” in English.
- These structures are typically used in storytelling, reminiscing, or comparing past and present situations.
4. Practice Exercises
Try translating these sentences into Korean using ‘A/V던’ or ‘N(이)던’:
- The shoes I used to wear
→ - The place where we first met
→ - The book I was reading
→ - The time when he was a student
→ - The friend I used to hang out with often
→ - The neighborhood that used to be quiet
→ - The computer that was once new
→ - The period when I was a teacher
→ - The car that my father used to drive
→ - The restaurant that used to be famous for its pasta
→
5. Answers
- 내가 신던 신발
- 우리가 처음 만나던 곳
- 내가 읽던 책
- 그가 학생이던 시절
- 내가 자주 어울리던 친구
- 조용하던 동네
- 한때 새것이던 컴퓨터
- 내가 교사이던 시기
- 아버지가 운전하던 차
- 파스타로 유명하던 식당
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘A/V던’ for Present Situations
Incorrect: 이 꽃이 예쁘던 것 같아요. ❌ (I think this flower is pretty.)
Correct: 이 꽃이 예쁜 것 같아요. ✅ (I think this flower is pretty.)
💡 Tip: ‘A/V던’ is used for past states or actions, not current ones.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘A/V던’ for Completed Actions
Incorrect: 저는 어제 친구를 만나던 했어요. ❌ (I used to meet my friend yesterday.)
Correct: 저는 어제 친구를 만났어요. ✅ (I met my friend yesterday.)
💡 Tip: ‘A/V던’ is used for actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past but are not necessarily completed.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing ‘A/V던’ in General Statements
Incorrect: 나는 매일 운동하던 해요. ❌ (I used to exercise every day.)
Correct: 나는 매일 운동해요. ✅ (I exercise every day.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘A/V던’ when recalling past habits, not when describing present routines.
Mastering the Korean grammar points ‘A/V던’ and ‘N(이)던’ is a significant step in your language learning journey. They allow you to express past states and conditions more precisely, adding depth and nuance to your Korean conversations. Remember to practice using these grammar points in various contexts, and soon you’ll find yourself using them naturally in your everyday Korean speech.