What does 없었는데 mean?
없었는데 means "there wasn't any before" in Korean.
How it works here
‘-었-’ marks the past and ‘-는데’ connects the clause to what follows. It says that something did not exist previously, implying that the situation has now changed.
Key expression
없었는데
An expression that says something did not exist before and naturally continues to the current situation or the next point
This is a connective expression attached after a past negative form, so it generally suggests contrast or change. When simply stating that something did not exist, forms such as ‘없었어요’ or ‘없었고’ can be more direct.
When it's used
Used when noticing a newly added object or facility and commenting on how things have changed from before.
The line
오, 이거 생겼네, 이런 거 없었는데
Oh, this appeared; there wasn't anything like this before.
This is said when seeing a newly added object or facility and pointing out that things were different before.
Scene from “Run BTS! 2022 Special Episode - Telepathy Part 2” · Channel: BANGTANTV Watch on YouTube
More examples
예전에는 이 근처에 편의점이 없었는데 지금은 두 군데나 있어.
There didn't use to be a convenience store around here, but now there are two.
그 기능은 원래 없었는데 업데이트 후에 추가됐어요.
That feature wasn't there originally, but it was added after the update.
Quick check
When would you use this expression?
없었는데
오, 이거 생겼네, 이런 거 없었는데
Oh, this appeared; there wasn't anything like this before.
- A situation where someone says that something that was originally there remains unchanged.
- A situation where someone says that a sign that was not there before has appeared and things have changed.
- A situation where someone is worried while looking for a missing object.
Show the answer
A situation where someone says that a sign that was not there before has appeared and things have changed.
an expression that says something did not exist before and naturally continues to the current situation or the next point. This is a connective expression attached after a past negative form, so it generally suggests contrast or change. When simply stating that something did not exist, forms such as ‘없었어요’ or ‘없었고’ can be more direct.
Other words in this line
- 오
- Oh
- 이거
- This
- 생기다
- To appear; to come into existence
- 이런
- Such; like this
- 없다
- Not exist; not have
Learn Korean from the people you already love watching.
Learn Korean from Your Bias turns moments like this one into compact lessons. Pick a bias and try one free — five cards, no account needed.
Pick your bias and try a free lesson