Understanding Korean Grammar: ‘-대요/래요’

Introduction Korean Grammar ‘-대요/래요’

Learning Korean grammar can be challenging, but breaking it down into manageable lessons can make it easier. Today, we will explore the grammar patterns ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요,’ which are used to report what others have said in Korean. This lesson will help you understand and use these forms effectively.

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Grammar Explanation ‘-대요/래요’

The grammar patterns ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ are used to report what others have said. These endings are contractions of ‘-다고 해요’ and ‘-라고 해요,’ respectively.

Formation:

• -대요: Used to report statements or questions.
  • Verb/Adjective + -대요
  • Noun + (이)래요
• -래요: Used to report commands, requests, or suggestions.
  • Verb + -래요

Structure:

• -다고 해요 -> -대요
• -라고 해요 -> -래요

Examples ‘-대요/래요’

Reporting Statements with ‘-대요’:

• 가다 (to go)
  • 간대요 = Says (someone) is going
  • 그는 학교에 간대요 = He says he is going to school.
• 먹다 (to eat)
  • 먹는대요 = Says (someone) eats
  • 그녀는 밥을 먹는대요 = She says she is eating a meal.
• 좋다 (good)
  • 좋대요 = Says (something) is good
  • 이 책이 좋대요 = He says this book is good.
• 예쁘다 (pretty)
  • 예쁘대요 = Says (someone) is pretty
  • 그녀가 예쁘대요 = He says she is pretty.

Reporting Commands/Requests/Suggestions with ‘-래요’:

• 가다 (to go)
  • 가래요 = Says to go
  • 그는 가래요 = He says to go.
• 먹다 (to eat)
  • 먹으래요 = Says to eat
  • 그녀는 먹으래요 = She says to eat.
• 만나다 (to meet)
  • 만나래요 = Says to meet
  • 그는 만나래요 = He says to meet.
• 공부하다 (to study)
  • 공부하래요 = Says to study
  • 그녀는 공부하래요 = She says to study.

Usage in Context

When using ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ in different contexts, they emphasize reporting what others have said.

Reporting Statements:

• 그는 오늘 바쁘대요 = He says he is busy today.
• 그녀는 내일 온대요 = She says she will come tomorrow.
• 그들은 여행을 간대요 = They say they are going on a trip.
• 그는 공부를 한다대요 = He says he is studying.

Reporting Questions:

• 그녀가 무슨 일이 있대요? = She asks if something happened.
• 그들이 언제 출발한대요? = They ask when we are leaving.
• 그는 왜 늦었대요? = He asks why I was late.
• 선생님이 숙제를 했대요? = The teacher asks if I did my homework.

Reporting Commands/Requests:

• 그녀가 도와달래요 = She says to help her.
• 그들이 조용히 하래요 = They say to be quiet.
• 그는 기다리래요 = He says to wait.
• 친구가 같이 가재요 = My friend says to go together.

Reporting Suggestions:

• 친구가 영화를 보재요 = My friend suggests watching a movie.
• 그녀가 산책을 하재요 = She suggests taking a walk.
• 우리가 함께 공부하재요 = They suggest studying together.
• 그는 여행을 가재요 = He suggests going on a trip.

Cultural Insight: In Korean culture, accurately reporting what others say using ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ shows attentiveness and respect in conversations. It helps convey the exact statements, questions, commands, or suggestions of others.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes:

• Incorrect: 좋다고 해요 (Correct but less conversational)
  • Correct: 좋대요 = Says it is good

Mistake Explanation: Ensure that the contracted forms ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ are used to convey reported speech in a more conversational manner.

Related Grammar Points

Explore these related grammar points to deepen your understanding:

• -다고 하다: To report statements or thoughts.
• -라고 하다: To report direct speech or names.
• -자고 하다: To report suggestions.
• -냐고 하다: To report questions.

Practice Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect!

• Exercise 1: Conjugate the following verbs/adjectives/nouns using ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요.’
  • 가다 (to go)
  • 먹다 (to eat)
  • 좋다 (good)
  • 공부하다 (to study)

Answer Key:

1. 간대요 / 가래요
2. 먹는대요 / 먹으래요
3. 좋대요 (no command form for adjectives)
4. 공부한대요 / 공부하래요

• Exercise 2: Create sentences using ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ for the following situations:
  • She says she is a student.
  • He says he is reading a book.
  • They say the food is delicious.
  • He says to wait here.

Answer Key:

1. 그녀는 학생이래요.
2. 그는 책을 읽는대요.
3. 그들은 음식이 맛있대요.
4. 그는 여기서 기다리래요.

Download the workbook for more exercises and practice.

Summary and Conclusion

Today, we covered the grammar points ‘-대요’ and ‘-래요’ and how to use them to report statements, questions, commands, and suggestions in Korean. These patterns are essential for accurately conveying what others say in a conversational and respectful manner. Continue practicing with our workbook and check out related lessons for more in-depth learning.

you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below. Happy learning!

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