V+다면서(요)

Overview

The grammatical pattern V+다면서(요) is used when the speaker wants to confirm information they have previously heard or inferred. It functions as a way to fact-check or seek verification from the listener about something that was reported or implied. The addition of -요 makes the question polite.

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Usage

This expression is typically used in situations where the speaker has received information indirectly (e.g., 'I heard that...', 'Someone told me...') and wants to confirm its accuracy with the person directly involved or knowledgeable. It can convey a sense of curiosity, mild surprise, or even a gentle challenge if the information seems questionable. The speaker is essentially saying, 'I heard X, is that true?' or 'You said X, is that still the case?' It's a direct way to bring up a topic based on prior knowledge and ask for clarification or confirmation.

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Conjugation Rules

The -다면서(요) ending attaches to the stem of verbs, adjectives, and the copula, following the rules of reported speech.

• Verbs:

  • Present Tense: -ㄴ/는다고 하면서 → -ㄴ/는대면서(요) (often contracted to -ㄴ/는담서(요) in casual speech)
    • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는다면서(요)
    • 가다 (to go) → 간다면서(요)
  • Past Tense: -았/었다고 하면서 → -았/었대면서(요) (often contracted to -았/었담서(요))
    • 먹었다 (ate) → 먹었다면서(요)
    • 갔다 (went) → 갔다면서(요)
  • Future Tense/Conjecture: -(으)ㄹ 거라고 하면서 → -(으)ㄹ 거라면서(요)
    • 먹을 거다 (will eat) → 먹을 거라면서(요)
    • 갈 거다 (will go) → 갈 거라면서(요)

• Adjectives:

  • Present Tense: -다고 하면서 → -대면서(요) (often contracted to -담서(요))
    • 예쁘다 (pretty) → 예쁘다면서(요)
    • 좋다 (good) → 좋다면서(요)
  • Past Tense: -았/었다고 하면서 → -았/었대면서(요)
    • 예뻤다 (was pretty) → 예뻤다면서(요)
    • 좋았다 (was good) → 좋았다면서(요)

• Nouns + Copula (이다):

  • Present Tense: -(이)라고 하면서 → -(이)라면서(요)
    • 학생이다 (is a student) → 학생이라면서(요)
    • 의사다 (is a doctor) → 의사라면서(요)
  • Past Tense: -이었다/였다고 하면서 → -이었다/였대면서(요)
    • 학생이었다 (was a student) → 학생이었다면서(요)

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Knowledge Plus

The -(으)면서 part of -다면서 is derived from the conjunction -면서 (while/as), but in this context, it's a fixed grammatical pattern for reported speech. The -다 is the plain form ending for statements.

This pattern is often used when the speaker has heard something from a third party and wants to confirm it with the subject of the information. For example, '철수 씨가 결혼한다면서요?' (I heard Cheolsu is getting married, is that true?).

It can also be used to gently challenge someone or express mild disbelief if the information contradicts what the speaker knows or expects. For instance, '바쁘다면서 왜 여기 있어요?' (You said you were busy, so why are you here?).

Be mindful of the level of formality; while -다면서요 is polite, the plain -다면서 can be used with close friends or in more casual settings.