Core Pattern Rule: Recalling Information with -던데요
The pattern -던데요 is used to state a fact that the speaker recalls from a past experience or has heard from someone else. It often serves as background information, setting the stage for a question, a suggestion, or a contrasting idea.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "I recall that..." / "I saw that..." / "I heard that..."
Function: It presents a piece of recalled information, often with the expectation of a response or to introduce a new topic gently. The sentence feels unfinished, inviting the listener to react.
Formation
This pattern attaches to verb and adjective stems, as well as nouns.
Verbs & Adjectives: Stem + -던데(요)
오다 (to come) -> 오던데요
비싸다 (to be expensive) -> 비싸던데요
많다 (to be many) -> 많던데요
Nouns: Noun + -(이)던데(요)
학생 (student) -> 학생이던데요
휴일 (holiday) -> 휴일이던데요
어제는 비가 오던데요? / 생각보다 비싸던데요. / 그 영화 재미있다던데요.
Direct Experience vs. Reported Speech
A crucial distinction with this pattern family is whether you're recalling a personal experience or something you heard. The form changes slightly.
Direct Experience: -던데(요)
Meaning: Used when you are recalling something you personally saw, felt, or experienced. The -더- particle specifically indicates retrospection of a past event.
Example: 사람이 많던데. (There were a lot of people. - I went there and saw them myself.)
Example: 축구를 잘하던데요. (He plays soccer well. - I watched him play.)
Reported Speech: -다던데(요) / -라던데(요)
Meaning: This is a contraction of -다고 하던데(요) and is used to report something you heard from someone else.
Formation:
Verbs: -(ㄴ/는)다던데(요) -> 안 간다던데
Adjectives: -다던데(요) -> 재미있다던데
Nouns: -(이)라던데(요) -> 매진이라던데