I recall that...

This pattern is used to report a fact or observation that you, the speaker, learned through direct personal experience in the past. It conveys a sense of recalling or realizing something firsthand.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: It translates to "I recall that...", "I found that...", or "I saw that...". It adds a nuance that this is new information to the listener, based on your own experience.

When to use: Use it when sharing something you saw, heard, felt, or realized yourself. For example, telling a friend about a restaurant you tried, a movie you watched, or a place you visited.

Formation

Verbs & Adjectives: Attach -더라고(요) directly to the stem.

맛있다 → 맛있더라고(요)

어렵다 → 어렵더라고(요)

많다 → 많더라고(요)

Nouns: Attach -(이)더라고(요). Use -이더라고(요) after a consonant and -더라고(요) after a vowel.

학생 → 학생이더라고(요)

별거 아니다 → 별거 아니더라고(요)

Past Tense Observation: To report something that had already happened when you observed it, use -았/었더라고(요).

가다 → 갔더라고(요) (I saw that he/she had already gone.)

문을 닫다 → 문을 닫았더라고(요) (I found that they had closed the door.)

그 집 맛있더라고요. / 영화가 재미있더라고. / 시험이 어렵더라고요. / 갔는데 문을 닫았더라고.

A crucial rule for -더라고(요) is that the subject of the sentence cannot be 'I' (the speaker) when describing an action. The speaker is the observer, not the actor.

Third-Person Subjects

You use this pattern to report your observation of someone else or a situation.

Correct: 친구가 영화를 보더라고요. (I saw my friend watching a movie.)

Incorrect: *제가 어제 영화를 보더라고요.

The 'I' Exception: Internal States & Feelings

You can use 'I' (나, 저, or implied) as the subject, but only when describing your own past internal state, emotion, or involuntary physical sensation. You are observing your own condition.

Correct: (저는) 사실 아파서 죽겠더라고요. (I recall that I was actually in enough pain to die.)

Correct: (나는) 그 소식을 듣고 정말 기쁘더라고. (I recall I was so happy when I heard that news.)

This distinction is key: you observe others' actions, but you observe your own internal feelings.

만나 보니까 착하더라고요. / (저는) 사실 아파서 죽겠더라고요. / 그 집은 이미 문을 닫았더라고요.

-더라고(요) often appears after clauses that explain how you came to discover the information. This makes your report more vivid and specific.

-아/어 보니까 (After trying...)

This combination means "I tried doing X, and I found that...". It emphasizes discovery through direct trial.

먹어 보니까 맛있더라고요. (I tried eating it, and I found it was delicious.)

만나 보니까 착하더라고요. (I met him, and I found he was nice.)

-(으)니까 (When I...)

This indicates the circumstance that led to the observation.

가 보니까 멀더라고요. (When I went there, I found it was far.)

생각보다 (Than I thought)

This adverb is frequently used to express that the reality was different from your expectation.

생각보다 싸더라고요. (I found it to be cheaper than I thought.)

생각보다 춥더라고요. (It was colder than I thought.)

먹어 보니까 맛있더라고. / 가 보니까 멀더라고요. / 실제로 보니까 예쁘더라고. / 생각보다 춥더라고요.

The pattern's politeness level is easily adjusted by adding or removing 요 at the end, as seen throughout the script lines.

Casual Form (반말): -더라고

Use this form when talking to close friends, family members of similar or younger age, or anyone you would normally use casual language with.

해보니까 별거 아니더라고. (I tried it, and I found it was no big deal.)

Polite Form (해요체): -더라고요

This is the standard, polite form suitable for most everyday conversations with colleagues, acquaintances, or elders. It's respectful but not overly formal.

해보니까 별거 아니더라고요. (I tried it, and I found it was no big deal.)

걔는 성격이 좀 그렇더라고. / 걔는 성격이 좀 그렇더라고요. / 사람이 많더라고. / 사람이 많더라고요.