-거든요
Quick answer: -거든요 means you see — the reason behind what you just said.
How to form it
Stem + 거든요 · same form after any stem · adds the reason or background behind what was just said
In Korean: 어간 + 거든요 받침과 상관없습니다 앞말의 사정을 뒤에 붙입니다
What to know
-거든요는 언제나 «앞말 뒤»에 옵니다. 먼저 결론을 말하고 사정을 붙이는 순서입니다 — 「시간이 있거든요. 그래서 갈게요」는 어색하고, 「갈게요. 시간이 있거든요」가 자연스럽습니다. 처음 꺼내는 말에는 쓰지 않습니다.
Examples
- 제가 대신 갈게요. 오늘은 시간이 있거든요.I will go instead. I have time today, you see.
- 거절했어요. 좀 부담스럽거든요.I said no. It felt like a bit much.
- 담당자에게 물어보세요. 제가 모르거든요.Ask the person in charge. I do not know, you see.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 3 (TOPIK II), Lesson 2: 방을 바꿔 달라고 해 봐 — Ask them to change your room. Also in the Level 3 book.
Go deeper: our full article on this pattern.
Practise -거든요 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 3, Lesson 2 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.