Learn Korean: Active Verb + 다고 했다

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Active Verb + 다고 했다. We use this to make a reporting statement; that someone said something. The act of speaking has been done. The first two examples talk about present facts, while the third example talks about a past action.

 

Example #1: Sehoon said that he liked Korea. The main verb is 좋아하다 (to like). We take the verb stem (좋아하) and attach ㄴ because it ends in a vowel. Then, we attach 다고 했다. The actual sentence is (세훈이가) 한국을 좋아한다고 했어(요).

Example #2: Sehoon said that he ate pork. The main verb is 먹다 (to eat). We take the verb stem (먹) and attach 는 because it ends in a consonant. Then, we attach 다고 했다. The actual sentence is (세훈이가) 돼지 고기를 먹는다고 했어(요).

Example #3: Sehoon said that he had studied hard. The main verb is 공부하다 (to eat). Its past tense form is 공부했다. We take the verb stem and attach 다고 했다. The actual sentence is (세훈이가) 열심히 공부했다고 했어(요).

토끼 한 마리 키운다고 했어.

He told me that he was raising a rabbit.

 

혼자 온다고 했어요.

He said he was coming alone.

두 배 줬다고 했어.

He said he had given twice as much.