Overview
The V+(ㄴ/는)답시고 grammar pattern is a connective ending used to express that an action or statement was made with a certain intention or claim, but it ultimately led to an undesirable, failed, or ridiculed outcome. It often carries a critical, sarcastic, or disappointed tone from the speaker's perspective, highlighting the discrepancy between the intention and the actual, often poor, result.
Usage
This expression connects a preceding clause that states an intention, claim, or pretext to a succeeding clause that describes a negative consequence or a failed attempt. The core function is to convey the speaker's judgment that the action or statement in the first clause was misguided, foolish, or merely an excuse, and therefore resulted in a bad or laughable situation.
- It is frequently used when someone claims to be doing something (e.g., helping, studying, cooking) but their actions are ineffective, cause problems, or are revealed to be insincere.
- The nuance is often one of "as if they were doing X, but..." or "on the pretext of X, but...", where 'X' is the stated intention or claim.
- The following clause almost always describes a negative outcome, failure, or a situation worthy of criticism or ridicule.
Conjugation Rules
The form V+(ㄴ/는)답시고 is derived from the indirect quotation form -(ㄴ/는)다고 하다 combined with the ending -(으)ㅂ시고, which here adds a critical or sarcastic nuance.
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For Action Verbs (Present Tense):
- Attach -는답시고 to the verb stem.
- Example: 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹는답시고 (claiming to be eating, but...)
- Example: 공부하다 (to study) -> 공부하는답시고 (claiming to be studying, but...)
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For Descriptive Verbs (Present Tense):
- Attach -답시고 to the verb stem. (Note: No ㄴ/는 for descriptive verbs in this form).
- Example: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) -> 예쁘답시고 (claiming to be pretty, but...)
- Example: 바쁘다 (to be busy) -> 바쁘답시고 (claiming to be busy, but...)
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For Nouns (with Copula 이다):
- If the noun ends in a consonant: Noun + -이랍시고
- Example: 학생 (student) -> 학생이랍시고 (claiming to be a student, but...)
- If the noun ends in a vowel: Noun + -랍시고
- Example: 의사 (doctor) -> 의사랍시고 (claiming to be a doctor, but...)
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For Past Tense Verbs:
- Attach -았/었/했답시고 to the verb stem.
- Example: 먹었다 (ate) -> 먹었답시고 (claiming to have eaten, but...)
- Example: 공부했다 (studied) -> 공부했답시고 (claiming to have studied, but...)
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For Future Tense Verbs (less common):
- Attach -(으)ㄹ 거랍시고 to the verb stem.
- Example: 먹을 거다 (will eat) -> 먹을 거랍시고 (claiming that they will eat, but...)
Knowledge Plus
- Critical/Sarcastic Tone: The most important aspect of V+(ㄴ/는)답시고 is its inherent negative or critical nuance. It's rarely used in a neutral or positive context. The speaker is almost always expressing disapproval, disappointment, or mockery towards the subject's actions or claims.
- Origin: This pattern is a contraction of the indirect quotation form -(ㄴ/는)다고 하다 (to say that...) and the ending -(으)ㅂ시고. The -(으)ㅂ시고 ending, while sometimes used honorifically, is used here in an ironic or critical way, intensifying the negative judgment.
- Comparison with -(으)면서: While -(으)면서 can also mean "while doing X," it doesn't carry the same critical tone of a failed or misguided attempt. V+(ㄴ/는)답시고 specifically highlights the discrepancy between the claimed intention and the poor outcome.
- Common Usage: It's often used in situations where someone is making an excuse, boasting, or attempting something beyond their capability, leading to an embarrassing or problematic result.