-는데요
Quick answer: -는데요 means softening ending — you open the matter and leave the rest to the listener.
How to form it
Verb → -는데요 · adjective with no final consonant → -ㄴ데요 · adjective with final consonant → -은데요 · noun → 인데요
In Korean: 동사 → -는데요 형용사 받침 X → -ㄴ데요 형용사 받침 O → -은데요 명사 → 인데요
What to know
In level 1 you said 소포를 보내요 — a plain statement. At a counter that can sound blunt, because you are telling a stranger what you are doing. -는데요 leaves the sentence half open: «I came to send a parcel, so…». The clerk fills in the rest. This is the most useful ending in this unit.
Examples
- 소포를 보내려고 왔는데요.I came to send a parcel.
- 번호표가 없는데요.I do not have a queue ticket.
- 등기로 부치고 싶은데요.I would like to send it by registered post.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 9: 소포를 보내려고 왔는데요 — I came to send a parcel. Also in the Level 2 book.
Practise -는데요 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 9 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.