for more on indirect speech endings.)
라든가 and its companions mean “or” and are used to talk about two choices. In the case of (이)라든가, B is normally followed by an explanation of how exactly A and B are similar: “비빔밥이라든가 냉면이라든가 한국 음식 같은 Bibimbapiradeunga naengmyeoniradeunga hanguk eumsig gateun” (“Korean foods like bibimbap or naengmyeon”) 는다든가, ㄴ다든가 and 다든가, on the other hand, are usually followed by 하다, which can then be conjugated however you’d like.
While (이)라든가 is normally used only after A, 는다든가/ㄴ다든가/다든가 follows both A and B.
비빔밥이라든가 불고기 같은 대표적인 한국 음식을 먹어 보세요.
Bibimbapiradeunga bulgogi gateun daepyojeogin hanguk eumsigeul meogeo boseyo.
Please try a representative (famous) Korean food like bibimbap or bulgogi.
커피라든가 차 같은 따뜻한 것을 마시고 싶어요.
Keopiradeunga cha gateun ttatteuthan geoseul masigo sipeoyo.
I want to drink something warm like coffee or tea.
스트레스가 쌓일 때 산책이라든가 수영이라든가 운동을 해요.
Seuteuleseuga ssahil ttae sanchaegiradeunga suyeongiradeunga undongeul haeyo.
When I’m stressed, I like to do some exercise like walking or swimming.
스트레스가 쌓일 때 산책을 한다든가 음악을 듣는다든가 해요.
Seuteuleseuga ssahil ttae sanchaegeul handadeunga eumageul deunneundadeunga haeyo.
When I’m stressed, I like to take a walk or listen to music.
방학 때 여행을 간다든가 친구와 논다든가 하고 싶어요.
Banghak ttae yeohaengeul gandadeunga chinguwa nondadeunga hago sipeoyo.
During vacation I want to travel or hang out with friends.
This is a shorter version of 거나, but it’s used to mean “whether you do A or B.” A and B should be opposites and 건 should follow each of them.
지하철을 타건 택시를 타건 늦을 거예요.
Jihacheoreul tageon taeksireul tageon neujeul geoyeyo.
Whether you take the subway or a taxi, you’ll be late.
한국어를 잘 하건 못 하건 최선을 다 해야 돼요.
Hangukeoreul jal hageon mot hageon choeseoneul da haeya dwaeyo.
Whether you’re good at Korean or not, you must do your best.
돈이 있건 없건 더 어려운 사람을 도와 주었으면 좋겠어요.
Doni itgeon eobsgeon deo eoryeoun sarameul dowa jueosseumyeon jokesseoyo.
Whether you have money or not, you should help those who need it.
Linking Sentences—Cause and Effect: The Big Three
There are three extremely common expressions that all essentially mean “so,” and they are used in a few ways. The big three are ㄴ/는데, 아/어/여서 n/neunde, a/eo/yeoseo, and (으)니까 (eu)nikka. You’ll see them used in three ways. One is in the middle of a sentence, one is at the end, and the other is roughly at the beginning tagging along with 그렇다 geureota. Let’s start by talking about each expression and when to use it.
차가 막혀서 늦었어요.
Chaga makyeoseo neujeosseoyo.
There was a lot of traffic, so I was late.
This expression essentially means “so” and is extremely important. Not only is it used all the time, but it also forms the basis for many other expressions you’ll want to learn.
HOW IT’S FORMED
아/어/여서 is an expression all on its own; (이)라서 is a combination of the indirect speech particle (이)라 and 아서.
HOW IT’S CONJUGATED
| All tenses | ||
| Action or descriptive verbs with 오 or 아 | 작다 | 작아서 jagaseo |
| Action or descriptive verbs with 어, 우, 으 or 이 | 먹다 | 먹어서 meogeoseo |
| 하다 | 하다 | 해서 haeseo |
| Nouns ending in a vowel | 남자 | 남자라서 namjaraseo |
| Nouns ending in a consonant | 물 | 물이라서 muriraseo |
TAKE NOTE
This can be used only in statements (no questions, suggestions, or commands). In other words, if your B clause is a question, suggestion or command, you should use a different expression. (으)니(까) is a good one; see page 67.
It’s also used to replace 고 (see page 51) in expressions where 고 follows a verb that means “to come” or “to go” (오다, 가다, 들어오다, etc…) See the example below about shopping and Dongdaemun.
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
■ 아/어/여서
아침을 안 먹어서 지금 배고파요.
Achimeul an meogeoseo jigeum baegopayo.
I didn’t eat breakfast, so I’m hungry.
공부를 열심히 해서 시험에 100점을 받았어요.
Gongbureul yeolsimhi haeseo siheome baekjeomeul badasseoyo.
I studied hard, so I got 100 on the test.
동대문에 가서 쇼핑을 할 거예요.
Dongdaemune gaseo syopingeul hal geoyeyo.
I’m going to Dongdaemun, so I can go shopping.
■ (이)라서
저는 외국인이라서 한국어를 잘 못 해요.
