-었던
-eotdeon
used to be; had been
Attaches to verb/adjective stems as an adnominal to recall a past event or state, implying either fond remembrance of a completed past or that the state was left unfinished or interrupted.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, 이다, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -았던 · -였던
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to recall a past incident or state, and indicate that the incident or state is suspended, not completed.
과거의 사건이나 상태를 다시 떠올리거나 그 사건이나 상태가 완료되지 않고 중단되었다는 의미를 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘이다’, 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
아버지가 젊었던 시절의 사진을 보면 굉장히 미남이셨다.
Looking at photos from when my father was young, he was extremely handsome.
지금 생각해보면 스승의 말씀을 이해하기에 당시의 나는 너무 어렸던 것 같다.
Thinking back now, I was probably too young back then to understand my teacher's words.
그날 유달리 아름다웠던 지수는 마치 한 송이 장미 같았다.
Jisu, who was unusually beautiful that day, looked just like a single rose.
네가 먹었던 음식은 유통 기한이 지난 건데?
The food you ate was past its expiration date, you know?
여기 두었던 빵은 누가 먹었니? 오빠가 먹은 것 같아요. 아까 빵을 먹으면서 나가던데요.
Who ate the bread that was here? I think it was my brother. I saw him eating bread as he was leaving earlier.
여기 두었던 빵은 누가 먹었니?
Who ate the bread that was here?
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-었던’ mean?
2. Which form means “used to be; had been”?