-대

(see here for Sino-Korean suffixes)

See also: 대

Korean

Alternative forms

• 래 (-rae) — in the environments of the 라 (-ra) allomorph

Etymology

Short for 다(고) 해 (-da(-go) hae, “[one] says that...”).

Suffix

대 • (-dae)

1. In the intimate style, used to convey something someone else has said:
   1. they say, apparently; used to report or ask about something one has heard about (often from an unclear source), adding a nuance that one is only reporting what other people have said rather than claiming so personally.

      뉴스 보니까 아프간에서 탈레반이 파죽지세로 전국을 장악하고 있대.

      Nyuseu bonikka Apeugan-eseo Talleban-i pajukjise-ro jeon'gug-eul jang'ak-hago itdae.

      I was watching the news, and apparently the Taliban in Afghanistan is rapidly taking over the entire country.

      누구한테서 들었는데, 여기 엄청난 보물이 매장돼 있대.

      Nugu-hante-seo deureonneunde, yeogi eomcheong-nan bomur-i maejang-dwae itdae.

      I heard it from somebody that apparently there's immense treasure buried here.

      오늘 날씨 별로래.

      Oneul nalssi byeollo-rae.

      They say the weather is bad today.

      오늘 주식은 어떻대?

      Oneul jusig-eun eotteotae?

      What do they say the stock market is like today?

   2. Used to report or ask about something that someone says constantly or regularly.

      걔는 볼 때마다 돈이 없대.

      Gyae-neun bol ttae-mada don-i eopdae.

      Every time I meet him, he says he has no money.

   3. Used to report or ask about something that one has been told in the (near) past. The use of a present-tense form for a situation in the past gives a more vivid nuance.

      Synonym: 댔어 (-daesseo)

      결혼식 갔다왔어. — 신랑은 행복하대?

      Gyeolhonsik gatda-wasseo. - Sillang-eun haengbok-hadae?

      I came back from a wedding. — Does the groom say he's happy?

      어제 만나보니까 최근 너무 우울했대.

      Eoje manna-bonikka choegeun neomu uul-haetdae.

      I met him yesterday, and he said he was so depressed recently.

2. In the intimate style, used to ask about a fact that one takes as a given, adding a nuance of annoyance or surprise.

   오늘은 왜 이렇게 폭염이래?

   Oneur-eun wae ireoke pogyeom-i-rae?

   God, why is it so hot today?

   그 나라는 땅덩어리는 크면서 왜 그렇게 돈이 없대?

   Geu nara-neun ttangdeong'eori-neun keumyeonseo wae geureoke don-i eopdae?

   Why does that country have no money even when it's so big in territory?