-거든
-geodeun
if; you see, because
As a connective, '-거든' sets up a condition meaning 'if/once something turns out to be true,' or introduces an example to show the following statement is obviously true. As an informal sentence-final ending, it gives a reason the speaker just thought of, or lays out background before continuing a story -- often felt as 'you see' or 'because, you know.'
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, 이다, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- 거든요
Meanings
- 1
A connective ending used to convey the meaning, "if something is true or turns out to be true."
'어떤 일이 사실이거나 사실로 실현되면'의 뜻을 나타내는 연결 어미.
- 2
A connective ending used to indicate that the following statement is obviously true by citing the preceding statement as an example.
앞에 오는 말을 예로 들어 뒤의 내용이 당연히 사실임을 나타내는 연결 어미.
※ 흔히 뒤에 의문문이 온다.
- 3
(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought of.
(두루낮춤으로) 앞의 내용에 대해 말하는 사람이 생각한 이유나 원인, 근거를 나타내는 종결 어미.
※ 자랑하거나 감탄할 때도 쓸 수 있다.
- 4
(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when talking about the premise of the following content and implying that the story continues.
(두루낮춤으로) 앞으로 이어질 내용의 전제를 이야기하면서 뒤에 이야기가 계속 이어짐을 나타내는 종결 어미.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-거든’ mean?
2. Which form means “if; you see, because”?