Indirect speech -다고
Quotations layered.
Goals
다고/라고 embedded quotes.
Steps
- 온다고 했어요 stack.
- Inner vs outer tense twist.
- Rewrite direct quote as indirect.
Common mistakes
- Wrong quotative for fragments.
Study rhythm: Skim “Indirect speech -다고” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 회사 동료 | Did HQ confirm? | 본사에서 확인했어요? | bonsa-eseo hwaginhaess-eoyo? |
| 나 | 온다고 했어요—coming tomorrow. | naeil ondago haess-eoyo. | naeil ondago haess-eoyo. |
| 회사 동료 | -다고 after quote stem attaches to 말하다 etc. | 다고 패턴. | dago paeteon. |
| 나 | 안 온다고도 들었어—rumor？ | an ondago-do deureoss-eo. | an ondago-do deureoss-eo. |
| 회사 동료 | Tense inside quote is its own puzzle. | 인용 안 시제 조심. | inyong an sije josim. |
| 나 | I'll email what boss said—boss said… | 상사가 그렇다고 했어요. | sangsaga geureotdago haess-eoyo. |