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Lv 3Grammar expressionIntermediate · TOPIK II

-으려다가

-euryeodaga

was about to...but; almost did...instead

Attaches to a verb stem to show that one intended or was starting to do something, but stopped and did something different, or that a process was about to happen but was interrupted.

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-려다가 · -으려다 · 려다

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to indicate that the act with an intention or purpose is stopped or changed to another act.

    어떤 행동을 할 의도를 가지고 있다가 그 행동을 멈추거나 다른 행동을 하게 됨을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ ‘-으려고 하다가’가 줄어든 말이다.

  2. 2

    An expression used to indicate that a certain situation or state is stopped or changed in the middle of a formation or change.

    어떤 상황이나 상태가 이루어지거나 변화하는 과정에서 그 상황이 중단되거나 바뀜을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ ‘-으려고 하다가’가 줄어든 말이다.

Examples

  • 슈퍼마켓에 가려다가 시장에 갔다.

    I was going to go to the supermarket, but I went to the market instead.

  • 비빔밥을 만들려다가 볶음밥을 만들었다.

    I was going to make bibimbap, but I made fried rice instead.

  • 잠을 자려다가 잠이 안 와서 소설책을 읽었다.

    I was about to go to sleep, but I couldn't, so I read a novel instead.

  • 메일을 보내려다가 직접 뵙고 말씀드리려고 찾아왔습니다. 잘 오셨어요. 이쪽으로 앉으세요.

    I was going to send an email, but I came to speak with you in person instead. Glad you came. Please have a seat over here.

  • 꽃이 피려다가 어제 내린 비 때문에 지고 말았다.

    The flowers were about to bloom, but they wilted because of yesterday's rain.

  • 기분이 좋아지려다가 엄마의 잔소리 때문에 다시 나빠졌다.

    My mood was about to lift, but my mom's nagging brought it right back down.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-으려다가’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “was about to...but; almost did...instead”?