-다고 하다
Quick answer: -다고 하다 means they say that — you did not see it yourself.
How to form it
Adjectives → -다고 · verbs without a final consonant → -ㄴ다고 · verbs with one → -는다고 · nouns → (이)라고
In Korean: 형용사 → -다고 동사 받침 X → -ㄴ다고 동사 받침 O → -는다고 명사 → (이)라고
What to know
Watch the shape in front of 고. Adjectives keep -다 (많다고), but verbs add ㄴ or 는 (간다고, 먹는다고). This is the one place in the language where a plain -다 form shows up in speech, and it is worth drilling until the two do not blur.
Examples
- 이 옷이 요즘 인기가 많다고 해요.They say these clothes are popular right now.
- 링링 씨가 고향에 간다고 해요.They say Lingling is going home.
- 후기가 좋다고 해요.They say the reviews are good.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 25: 이 옷이 요즘 인기가 많다고 해요 — They say these clothes are popular right now. Also in the Level 2 book.
Practise -다고 하다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 25 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.