What does 배고팠는데 mean?
배고팠는데 means "I was hungry, but" in Korean.
How it works here
‘-는데’ presents the preceding situation as background and naturally connects it to what follows. Here, ‘배고팠는데’ first mentions a past state and then leads into the next statement.
Key expression
(저번에) -는데
A connective expression that sets a previous situation as background and naturally connects it to what follows.
It usually follows the past form of a verb or adjective to create background and connect to the next sentence. ‘-는데’ marks a present background, while ‘-았/었는데’ marks a past background. Explanations, contrasts, shifts, or results often follow.
When it's used
Use ‘-는데’ after mentioning a previous state or event to set it as background and naturally add a related result or following statement.
The line
배고팠는데 다행이다
I was hungry, so that’s a relief.
This is said after checking a meal or one’s condition, when expressing relief or adding a related comment.
Scene from “Run BTS! 2022 Special Episode - Telepathy Part 2” · Channel: BANGTANTV Watch on YouTube
More examples
어제 너무 바빴는데 오늘은 한가해요.
I was very busy yesterday, but I’m free today.
아침에 길이 좀 막혔는데 지하철은 제시간에 왔어.
The roads were a little congested in the morning, but the subway arrived on time.
Quick check
When would you use this expression?
배고팠는데
배고팠는데 다행이다
I was hungry, so that’s a relief.
- A situation in which someone compares being tired yesterday with being even more tired today.
- A situation in which someone says they were hungry but feels relieved after eating.
- A situation in which someone decides to go this time even though they could not go last time.
Show the answer
A situation in which someone says they were hungry but feels relieved after eating.
A connective expression that sets a previous situation as background and naturally connects it to what follows. It usually follows the past form of a verb or adjective to create background and connect to the next sentence. ‘-는데’ marks a present background, while ‘-았/었는데’ marks a past background. Explanations, contrasts, shifts, or results often follow.
Other words in this line
- 배고프다
- To be hungry
- 다행이다
- To be a relief; fortunately
Same expression in other scenes
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