-던데요
Quick answer: -던데요 means it was, actually — reporting what you saw yourself, often against expectation.
How to form it
Stem + 던데요 · used only for things you saw yourself · the ending rises slightly
In Korean: 어간 + 던데요 내가 직접 본 일에만 씁니다 끝을 살짝 올립니다
What to know
-던데요는 «내가 봤다»가 조건입니다. 남에게 들은 일에는 못 씁니다 — 그건 2급의 -대요입니다. 그래서 후기에서 -던데요를 쓰면 «직접 가 봤다»는 뜻이 저절로 붙습니다. 1급의 -는데요(완곡)와 소리가 비슷하니 «던»을 분명히 내십시오.
Examples
- 먹어 보니까 맛있던데요.I tried it and it was good, actually.
- 숙박비가저렴하던데요.The price was low, actually.
- 비수기에 가 보니까 한산하던데요.I went in the off season and it was quiet.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 3 (TOPIK II), Lesson 4: 먹어 보니까 맛있던데요 — I tried it, and it was good actually. Also in the Level 3 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -아/어 보니까.
Practise -던데요 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 3, Lesson 4 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.