그런데
geureonde[kɯɾʌ̹nde̞]
The English phrase 'btw' can be expressed in Korean using 그런데 (geureonde).
그런데 is used to change the subject to something unrelated and to introduce a contrasting point. It can function as a conjunction meaning 'but' or as a sentence starter meaning 'by the way'.
Which one should you use?
The form 근데 is a common contraction of 그런데 used frequently in spoken conversation and texting.
How do you pronounce it?
geureonde
Did you know?
- In text messaging, 근데 is often shortened even further to just the consonant ㄱㄷ, though this can be confused with the abbreviation for 'wait' 기다려.
- In spoken Korean, 근데 is often stretched into 그으으으으는데 to signal that the speaker is hesitating or searching for a tactful way to change the subject.
- While 그런데 translates to 'by the way', its grammatical roots are actually in the adjective 'to be like that' combined with a suffix that expresses a background context or contrast.
Examples in context
- 월요일에 회의가 있을 예정입니다. 그런데, 다음 주 수요일로 변경되었습니다.There is a meeting scheduled for Monday. By the way, it has been rescheduled for next Wednesday.
- 그런데, 오늘 날씨가 정말 좋네요.geureonde, oneul nalssiga jeongmal jonneyo.By the way, the weather is really nice today.
- 그런데, 그 영화는 재미있었어요?geureonde, geu yeonghwaneun jaemiisseosseoyo?By the way, was that movie interesting?
- 그런데, 우리 언제 만날까요?geureonde, uri eonje mannalkkayo?By the way, when shall we meet?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie.
- 지은 Ji-eun영화 정말 재미있었어요.yeonghwa jeongmal jaemiisseosseoyo.The movie was really interesting.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 저도 좋았어요.majayo, jeodo joasseoyo.Right, I liked it too.
- 지은 Ji-eun그런데 도현 씨는 저녁 먹었어요?geureonde dohyun ssineun jeonyeok meogeosseoyo?By the way, Dohyun, have you eaten dinner?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니요, 아직 안 먹었어요.aniyo, ajik an meogeosseoyo.No, I haven't eaten yet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그런데, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그런데, CC BY-SA 4.0.
