Expression dictionary — full article
States & Progress · to be subjected to N, to suffer N, to undergo N, to be N-ed
N+당하다 is a common grammatical construction in Korean used to express that the subject experiences or undergoes an action or state described by the noun N. It effectively transforms certain nouns into verbs, conveying a passive meaning. While it can sometimes be neutral, it very frequently carries a nuance of being unwillingly subjected to something, or suffering a negative outcome.
This expression is used when the subject is the recipient of an action or event, often one that is undesirable, involuntary, or has a negative impact. The verb 당하다 itself means 'to suffer,' 'to undergo,' or 'to be subjected to,' so when combined with a noun, it indicates that the subject is put in a particular situation or experiences a specific consequence. It's particularly common with nouns that describe actions that one can be forced into, be a victim of, or simply experience without agency.
Common nouns that combine with 당하다 include:
N+당하다 is straightforward to conjugate. The noun N attaches directly to 당하다. The verb 당하다 then conjugates like any other 하다 verb, following standard Korean verb conjugation rules for tense, mood, and politeness levels.
Noun + 당하다
N+당하다 often implies a negative or undesirable experience. While not exclusively negative, its usage strongly leans towards situations where the subject is a victim or unwilling participant. This contrasts with N+받다 (to receive N), which can be neutral or positive (e.g., 사랑받다 - to be loved, 칭찬받다 - to be praised, 선물받다 - to receive a gift). N+당하다 emphasizes the suffering or undergoing aspect of the experience.
Consider the difference:
It's also distinct from general passive voice constructions like -아/어지다 or the short passive verbs formed with -이/히/리/기-. While those are broad passive forms, N+당하다 is specifically used with nouns that describe actions or states that one can 'suffer' or 'be subjected to,' often highlighting the impact on the subject.