The Korean ending 더니 is used to express observation of a change or contrast between a past situation and a present result. It often conveys surprise, realization, or an unexpected outcome based on previous observation.
더니 Pattern
intermediate
Formation:
- Verb stem + 더니
- Adjective stem + 더니
Meaning:
- Observation of change or contrast
- "I noticed... and then..."
- "After observing... now..."
- Often implies surprise or unexpectedness
Formation and Basic Usage
어제 아팠더니 오늘은 괜찮네요.
Eoje apatteoni oneureun gwaenchannneyo.
I was sick yesterday, and now today I'm fine.
Word breakdown:
어제eojeyesterdaynoun
아팠더니apatteoniwas sick and (observed)adjective + 더니
오늘은oneureuntodaynoun + particle
괜찮네요gwaenchannneyois fineadjective + exclamation
Formation Rules:
- Past observation + 더니 + present result
- Shows personal observation and discovery
많이 먹더니 배가 아프다고 하네요.
Mani meokteoni baega apeudago haneyo.
They ate a lot, and now they say their stomach hurts.
Word breakdown:
많이mania lotadverb
먹더니meokteoniate and (observed)verb + 더니
배가baegastomachnoun + particle
아프다고 하네요apeudago haneyosays it hurtsexpression
Expressing Unexpected Results
열심히 공부하더니 1등을 했어요.
Yeolsimhi gongbu-hadeoni ildeungeul haesseoyo.
They studied hard, and (as a result) got first place.
Word breakdown:
열심히yeolsimhidiligentlyadverb
공부하더니gongbu-hadeonistudied and (observed)noun + verb + 더니
1등을ildeungeulfirst placenoun + particle
했어요haesseoyodid/gotverb
계속 연습하더니 실력이 많이 늘었네요.
Gyesok yeonseup-hadeoni sillyeogi mani neureonnneyo.
They kept practicing, and their skills have improved a lot.
Word breakdown:
계속gyesokcontinuouslyadverb
연습하더니yeonseup-hadeonipracticed and (observed)noun + verb + 더니
실력이sillyeogiskillsnoun + particle
많이mania lotadverb
늘었네요neureonnneyohave improvedverb + exclamation
Weather and Environmental Changes
Common 더니 Weather Patterns
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 흐리더니 | heurideoni | was cloudy and (now) | Intermediate |
| 덥더니 | deopdeoni | was hot and (now) | Intermediate |
| 춥더니 | chupdeoni | was cold and (now) | Intermediate |
| 바람이 불더니 | barami buldeoni | wind was blowing and (now) | Intermediate |
4 words
아침에 흐리더니 지금은 비가 와요.
Achime heurideoni jigeumeun biga wayo.
It was cloudy in the morning, and now it's raining.
Word breakdown:
아침에achimein the morningnoun + particle
흐리더니heurideoniwas cloudy andadjective + 더니
지금은jigeumeunnownoun + particle
비가 와요biga wayoit's rainingnoun + verb
Personal Observations and Changes
요즘 운동을 하더니 몸이 좋아졌어요.
Yojeum undongeul hadeoni momi joajeosseoyo.
They've been exercising lately, and their body has gotten better.
Word breakdown:
요즘yojeumlatelynoun
운동을undongeulexercisenoun + particle
하더니hadeoniwas doing andverb + 더니
몸이momibodynoun + particle
좋아졌어요joajeosseoyohas gotten betterverb
한국어를 배우더니 한국 드라마를 이해해요.
Hangugeoreul baeudeonii hanguk deuramareul ihaehaeyo.
They learned Korean, and now they understand Korean dramas.
Word breakdown:
한국어를hangugeoreulKorean languagenoun + particle
배우더니baeudeoniilearned andverb + 더니
한국 드라마를hanguk deuramareulKorean dramasnoun + noun + particle
이해해요ihaehaeyounderstandverb
Behavioral Changes and Habits
일찍 자더니 아침에 일찍 일어나네요.
Iljjik jadeoni achime iljjik ireonaneyo.
They went to bed early, and now they wake up early in the morning.
Word breakdown:
일찍iljjikearlyadverb
자더니jadeonislept andverb + 더니
아침에achimein the morningnoun + particle
일찍iljjikearlyadverb
일어나네요ireonaneyowake upverb + exclamation
담배를 끊더니 건강해졌어요.
Dambaereul kkeunteoni geonganghaejeosseoyo.
They quit smoking, and have become healthier.
Word breakdown:
담배를dambaereulcigarettesnoun + particle
끊더니kkeunteoniquit andverb + 더니
건강해졌어요geonganghaejeosseoyobecame healthyadjective + verb
Academic and Work Contexts
새로운 방법을 시도하더니 결과가 좋아졌어요.
Saeroun bangpeobeul sidohadeoni gyeolgwaga joajeosseoyo.
They tried a new method, and the results improved.
Word breakdown:
새로운saerounnewadjective
방법을bangpeobeulmethodnoun + particle
시도하더니sidohadeonitried andverb + 더니
결과가gyeolgwagaresultsnoun + particle
좋아졌어요joajeosseoyoimprovedverb
Practice Exercises
Complete with 더니
1 of 4
They ate a lot, and now they're full: 많이 ___ 배가 불러요.
Nuances and Implications
더니 often implies:
- Personal observation over time
- Surprise at the result
- Cause-and-effect relationship
- Natural consequences
Emotional undertones:
- Satisfaction (positive results)
- Concern (negative results)
- Vindication ("I thought so")
- Discovery (unexpected outcomes)
Common Expressions
Daily life:
- 자더니 - slept and (now)
- 먹더니 - ate and (now)
- 공부하더니 - studied and (now)
Weather:
- 추워지더니 - got cold and (now)
- 더워지더니 - got hot and (now)
Changes:
- 변하더니 - changed and (now)
- 달라지더니 - became different and (now)
Real-World Usage
더니 frequently appears in:
- Daily observations about people
- Weather commentaries
- Progress reports
- Behavioral changes
- Cause-and-effect discussions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Using with simultaneous actions
- 더니 shows sequence, not simultaneity
-
Forgetting the observation aspect
- Speaker must have observed the first action
-
Using with immediate results
- 더니 implies time passage between actions
Summary
더니 expresses:
- Observation: personally witnessed past action
- Consequence: resulting present situation
- Time gap: between past and present
- Often surprise: at the outcome
Perfect for expressing natural observations about changes and consequences.
Master Korean Observation Patterns
Practice 더니 with authentic Korean content. Learn to express natural observations and realizations like native speakers.
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