Learn Korean: Active Verb + 대

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Active Verb + 대. We use this to make a reporting statement. Person A says something to Person B. Person B relays Person A’s statement to Person C. For example, A says to B, Sushi is delicious. Then, B tells C (Person A) said that sushi is delicious. The main verb is 맛있다 (to be delicious). We take the verb stem (맛있) and attach 대(요). The actual sentence is 맛있대(요). In the case where the subject is not clear to the listener, we can add it at the beginning of the sentence. Sushi in Korean is 초밥. We say 초밥이(은) 맛있대(요). Here’s an example in past tense. A says to B, The sushi was delicious. Then, B tells C (Person A) said that the sushi was delicious. The main verb is 맛있다 (to be delicious). Its past tense form is 맛있었다. We get rid of 다 and replace it with 대(요). The actual sentence is (초밥이/초밥은) 맛있었대(요). 

                                      바람이 많이 분대.     

(He) said that it’s windy (over there).

학교 안 간대.

(She) said she is not coming to school (today).

한달 전에 헤어졌대.

(She) said they broke up a month ago.