Reported Speech In Korean (고 했다 / 래요 and 대요)
Reported speech in Korean follows a very simple formula.
Read on where I’ll explain the grammar and provide you with some examples.
고 했다
The suffix 고 했다 is used in the following ways to report speech:
(They) said it’s A: 다 (dictionary form)
“이 영화가 무서워요.”
My friend said this movie is scary.
(They) said it’s N: (이)라
“저는 소방수예요.”
He said he's a fireman.
(They) said it’s V-ing: ㄴ/는다
“오! 비가 와요!”
My mother said it's raining.
“저는 신문을 읽고 있어요.”
My father said he's reading the paper (now).
(They) said it V-ed: 했다
“어제 시험을 봤어요.”
The students told the teacher they had a test yesterday.
(They) said it will V: 을 거라
“내일 기온이 내려갈 거에요.”
The weather forecast said the temperature will drop tomorrow.
(They) asked… V: (느)냐
“터키식당 어디에 있어요?”
My mother asked where the Turkish restaurant was.
(They) asked… A: (으)냐
“제주도의 날씨가 따뜻해요?”
I asked if it was warm in Jeju.
(They) said please V: (으)라
“조심하세요!”
My teacher told me: please be careful!
(They) said please give me N/asked for N: 달라
“20만원 빌려 주세요.”
My friend asked to borrow 200,000 won.
Let’s V: 자
“영화관에 가자!”
My friend said (suggested): Let's go to the cinema!
래요, 대요
Here are the contracted forms for indirectly reported speech using 래요 and 대요:
(They) said it’s A: **대요**
“마루가 미끄러워요.”
친구가 마루가 미끄럽다고 했어요.
My friend said the floor is slippery.
(They) said it’s N: (이)래요
“막걸리예요.”
친구가 막걸리라고 했어요.
My friend said it's Korean rice wine.
(They) said it’s V-ing: 은/ㄴ대요
“지금은 논이 와요.”
지금은 논이 온다고 했어요.
She said that it's snowing now.
(They) said it V-ed: 했대요
“주말 내내 바람이 불었어요.”
주말 내내 바람이 불었다고 했어요.
They said it was windy all weekend.
(They) said it will V: 을 거래요
“내일은 수영장 할 거에요.”
그가 내일은 수영장 할 거라고 했어요.
He said he will go swimming tomorrow.
(They) asked: 냬요
“Pepsi과 Coke의 구별 할 수 있어요?”
Pepsi과 Coke의 구별 할 수 있냐고 했어요.
They asked if I can distinguish between Pepsi and Coke.
“터키식당 어디에 있어요?”
어머니가 터키식당 어디에 있냐고 했어요:
My mother asked where the Turkish restaurant was.
(They) said please V: (으)래요
“조심 하세요!”
선생님이 제게 조심 하라고 했어요:
My teacher told me: please be careful!
(They) said please give me N: 달래요
“20만원 빌려 주세요.”
친구가 20만원 달라고 했어요:
My friend asked to borrow 200,000 won.
They said/suggested “Let’s V”: 재요
“영화관에 가자!”
친구가 영화관에 가자고 했어요:
My friend said (suggested): Let's go to the cinema!
Quoting verbs
When quoting speech or thoughts, different verbs can be used in place of 했다:
Korean | English |
---|---|
말했다 | to say |
묻다 | to ask (a question) |
듣다 | to hear |
예측하다 | to expect |
생각하다 | to think |
믿다 | to believe |
(자고) 하다 | to suggest |
설명하다 | to explain |
예상하다 | to predict |
확신하다 | to be sure that |
경고하다 | to warn |
He said he wasn't interested in politics.
He asked me where the nearest department store was.
I heard that a typhoon is coming.
I explained to my boss that I couldn't come to the meeting because I was sick.
My friend suggested that we go swimming together, but I don't have a swimming outfit.
Scientists predict that Korea's aging population will soon become a problem.
I expect that the tempature will fall dramatically during the winter.
I think that in the past people were more considerate.
I believe that the most important thing in life is love.
My friend is convinced (sure/certain) that Manchester City will win the EPL this season.
I warned the students that they must be quiet during the test.
Also, the suffix 보다 can replace 생각하다 to indicate a person’s opinion on a situation or problem. 보다 is a firmer and more confident assertion/evaluation than 생각하다:
I feel that Korea is becoming more like America.