Core Grammar Rule: V-고 들다
This pattern is attached to a verb to express frustration or annoyance at someone's persistent and often unreasonable action or attitude. It carries a negative nuance, implying that the speaker is fed up with the repeated behavior.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It signifies that someone "insists on doing" or "keeps on doing" a certain negative action, much to the speaker's displeasure. It's stronger than simply stating a fact; it's a complaint.
When to use: Use it when you are criticizing someone for stubbornly repeating an action. It’s common in arguments or when pointing out a bad habit. It is most frequently combined with verbs that have a confrontational or inquisitive nature, like 따지다 (to question, to nitpick), 묻다 (to ask), 덤비다 (to charge at, to challenge), or 파고들다 (to dig into).
Conjugation Rules
Rule: This pattern is straightforward. Simply attach -고 들다 to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant. The tense is expressed in the 들다 part (e.g., 들었다, 들 것이다).
Verb Stem + ~고 들다
Common Combinations
~고 들다 is not used with all verbs. It has a strong affinity for a specific set of verbs related to arguing, questioning, and insisting. Learning these combinations is key to using the pattern naturally.
따지고 들다 (to keep questioning/nitpicking)
Context: This is the most common combination. It's used when someone is relentlessly questioning the "why" and "how" of your actions or decisions in a critical, almost argumentative way.
Example: 부장님은 제가 하는 일마다 사사건건 따지고 들어요. (My boss nitpicks every single thing I do.)
파고들다 (to keep digging into something)
Context: This implies someone is trying to investigate or inquire about something too deeply, perhaps crossing a personal boundary or being unnecessarily meticulous about a minor issue. It can mean both literally "digging into" and figuratively "prying."
따지고 들다: To keep nitpicking / 파고들다: To keep digging into / 덤벼들다: To keep challenging