-으려다가
-euryeodaga
was about to...but; almost did...instead
Attaches to a verb stem to show that one intended or was starting to do something, but stopped and did something different, or that a process was about to happen but was interrupted.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -려다가 · -으려다 · 려다
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate that the act with an intention or purpose is stopped or changed to another act.
어떤 행동을 할 의도를 가지고 있다가 그 행동을 멈추거나 다른 행동을 하게 됨을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘-으려고 하다가’가 줄어든 말이다.
- 2
An expression used to indicate that a certain situation or state is stopped or changed in the middle of a formation or change.
어떤 상황이나 상태가 이루어지거나 변화하는 과정에서 그 상황이 중단되거나 바뀜을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘-으려고 하다가’가 줄어든 말이다.
Examples
슈퍼마켓에 가려다가 시장에 갔다.
I was going to go to the supermarket, but I went to the market instead.
비빔밥을 만들려다가 볶음밥을 만들었다.
I was going to make bibimbap, but I made fried rice instead.
잠을 자려다가 잠이 안 와서 소설책을 읽었다.
I was about to go to sleep, but I couldn't, so I read a novel instead.
메일을 보내려다가 직접 뵙고 말씀드리려고 찾아왔습니다. 잘 오셨어요. 이쪽으로 앉으세요.
I was going to send an email, but I came to speak with you in person instead. Glad you came. Please have a seat over here.
꽃이 피려다가 어제 내린 비 때문에 지고 말았다.
The flowers were about to bloom, but they wilted because of yesterday's rain.
기분이 좋아지려다가 엄마의 잔소리 때문에 다시 나빠졌다.
My mood was about to lift, but my mom's nagging brought it right back down.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-으려다가’ mean?
2. Which form means “was about to...but; almost did...instead”?