-는다니
-neundani
surprised that (someone said)...
Built on the quotative '-는다고 하니', this reports something the speaker heard from someone else — used to show surprise, to give that report as the basis for a judgment, or (casually) to ask the listener about what they heard.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -다니 · -라니 · -으라니 · -자니
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate that the speaker is surprised or impressed by what another person explained or stated.
다른 사람에게 들은 설명이나 서술에 대해 말하는 사람이 놀라거나 감탄함을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘-는다고 하다니’가 줄어든 말이다.
- 2
An expression used to indicate that someone's explanation or statement is the basis for the speaker's judgment.
다른 사람에게 들은 설명이나 서술이 판단의 근거임을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘-는다고 하니’가 줄어든 말이다.
- 3
(informal addressee-lowering) An expression used to ask the listener about what another person said.
(두루낮춤으로) 다른 사람이 말한 내용에 대해 듣는 사람에게 물어볼 때 쓰는 표현.
※ '-는다고 하니'가 줄어든 말이다.
Examples
영수가 이제 그 사람을 잊는다니 마음이 많이 상한 모양이다.
I hear Yeongsu is finally forgetting about that person — he must be quite hurt.
이런 더러운 곳에 앉는다니 다리가 많이 아픈가 봐요.
The fact that they're sitting in such a dirty place must mean their legs really hurt.
지수가 그 사람 말을 믿는다니 천지가 개벽할 일이지요.
The idea that Jisu believes what that person says is like the world turning upside down.
승규가 직접 가게 문을 닫는다니 놀랍구나. 승규가 전보다 얼마나 부지런해졌는데요.
I'm surprised to hear Seunggyu is closing the shop himself. You have no idea how much more diligent he's gotten.
네가 집안일을 돕는다니 내가 이제 많이 편해지겠구나.
Hearing that you'll help with the housework, I'll have it much easier now.
딸아이가 장학금을 받는다니 한결 마음이 놓였다.
Hearing that my daughter is getting a scholarship put my mind much more at ease.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-는다니’ mean?
2. Which form means “surprised that (someone said)...”?