V/A + -(으)ㄴ/는데요 – Soft Exclamation, Polite Refusal, or Leaving Room for Response
Meaning: Soft polite sentence ending expressing surprise, disagreement, or inviting the listener's response
Conjugation & Pattern
- Verb / 있다 / 없다 + -는데요 (비가 오는데요, 시간이 없는데요)
- Adjective + -(으)ㄴ데요 (맛있는데요, 좀 비싼데요, 추운데요)
- Past + -았/었는데요 (벌써 갔는데요)
Detailed Usage
Used at the end of a sentence to: 1) Express mild surprise or admiration. 2) Politely decline or offer a contrasting situation without sounding blunt. 3) Provide context and wait for the listener's reaction.
Example Sentences
- 1
오늘 저녁에 시간 있어요? — 죄송해요, 오늘 저녁에는 약속이 있는데요.
Oneul jeonyeoge sigan isseoyo? — joesonghaeyo, oneul jeonyeogeneun yaksogi inneundeyo.
Do you have time this evening? — Sorry, I actually have an appointment this evening.
- 2
이 음식 한번 드셔 보세요. — 와, 정말 맛있는데요!
I eumsik hanbeon deusyeo boseyo. — wa, jeongmal masinneundeyo!
Please try this dish. — Wow, it's really delicious!
- 3
민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요. — 지금 자리에 없는데요.
Minsu ssi jom bakkwo juseyo. — jigeum jarie eomneundeyo.
May I speak to Minsu, please? — He is not at his desk right now.
Important Notes
Extremely common in everyday Korean life for softening refusals and answering phone calls politely.
