✍️ Intermediate Day 2: Sentence Connectors II – -지만, -는데
📘 Intermediate Day 2: Sentence Connectors II – -지만, -는데
Welcome back to your Intermediate Korean journey! 🎓 Today, we’ll go deeper into connecting sentences by learning two essential grammar patterns: -지만 (but / although) and -는데 (but / background / contrast).
These patterns are slightly more nuanced than the beginner-level connectors we saw before like 하지만 and 그래서,
and they allow your Korean to sound more fluent, contextual, and natural!
📘 What Are These Connectors Used For?
Both -지만 and -는데 are used to join two ideas or actions, especially when there is contrast or background involved.
- -지만: “but,” “although” – expresses clear, direct contrast between two clauses.
- -는데: “but,” “and,” “so…” – provides context or a background before the main point.
📘 1. -지만 (but / although)
This grammar attaches directly to verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Use it when showing a strong or direct contrast.
- 저는 매운 음식을 좋아하지만 많이는 못 먹어요.
jeo-neun mae-un eum-sik-eul jo-a-ha-ji-man man-i-neun mot meok-eo-yo
👉 I like spicy food, but I can’t eat a lot. - 그 영화는 재미있지만 너무 길었어요.
geu yeong-hwa-neun jae-mi-it-ji-man neo-mu gil-eot-seo-yo
👉 The movie was fun, but it was too long.
Pattern:
- Verb/Adjective stem + -지만
- Noun + 이지만
📘 2. -는데 (but / background / contrast / reason)
This connector is much more versatile. Use -는데 when you're providing background, contrast, or setting up a reason before the main action.
- 오늘은 바쁘는데 내일은 시간이 있어요.
o-neul-eun ba-ppeu-neun-de nae-il-eun si-gan-i it-seo-yo
👉 I’m busy today, but I have time tomorrow. - 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요.
bi-ga o-neun-de u-san-i eop-seo-yo
👉 It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella. - 이거 정말 맛있는데요!
i-geo jeong-mal ma-sit-neun-de-yo
👉 This is really delicious! (surprise, suggestion)
Pattern:
- Action Verb + -는데
- Descriptive Verb (Adjective) + -은데 / -ㄴ데
- Noun + 인데
📘 Difference Between -지만 and -는데
| Pattern | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| -지만 | but, although | Clear, direct contrast between two ideas |
| -는데 | but, background, reason | Softer, more contextual; often background before main statement |
💡 Use -지만 when you want to clearly contrast two ideas. Use -는데 when you're giving background info or a lead-in to something important.
💬 Real-Life Dialogue
👧 수지: 영화 어땠어요?
👦 준호: 재미있지만 좀 지루했어요.
👧 수지: 그래요? 저는 보는데 잠들었어요.
📘 Practice Sentences
- 저는 학생이지만 알바도 해요.
jeo-neun hak-saeng-i-ji-man al-ba-do hae-yo - 점심은 먹었는데 아직 배고파요.
jeom-sim-eun meo-geot-neun-de a-jik bae-go-pa-yo - 운동하고 싶은데 시간이 없어요.
un-dong-ha-go si-peun-de si-gan-i eop-seo-yo
🧪 Mini Quiz – Test Yourself!
- Choose the right connector:
이 책은 비싸요. ___ 재미있어요.Click to Show Answer
✅ -지만
- Choose the right connector:
시간이 많은 ___ 숙제가 없어요.Click to Show Answer
✅ -는데
- Translate: “I’m a student, but I also work.”
Click to Show Answer
✅ 저는 학생이지만 알바도 해요.
✅ Conclusion
🙌 Great job today! Now you know how to make your Korean more fluent with subtle contrasts and natural transitions.
- ✔️ Use -지만 when you want to contrast two ideas clearly
- ✔️ Use -는데 when you’re giving background or soft transitions
- ✔️ Try writing your own sentences using both!
📘 Coming Up Next
Tomorrow: Intermediate Day 3: Verb Ending Variations – -네요, -군요
Learn how to express surprise, realization, and discovery in Korean with natural final endings!
Related Keywords:
learn korean, korean grammar, korean -지만 -는데, sentence connectors in korean, intermediate korean lessons