Expressing Shock: -다니 (How Could...)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -다니 to express shock, disbelief, or surprise about a fact you just learned or recalled.
- Attach -다니 to the verb/adjective stem (e.g., 가다 → 간다니).
- Use it for past, present, and future facts to emphasize your emotional reaction.
- It functions as a sentence-ending exclamation or a clause connector.
Overview
-다니 (romanized: -dani) is an upper-intermediate (B2) Korean grammar pattern used to express strong surprise, disbelief, shock, or a profound emotional reaction to a fact or piece of information that you have just learned or observed. This pattern captures the speaker's internal processing of new, often unexpected, information. It functions as a declarative statement (-다) followed by a reason/consequence clause (-(으)니), indicating that the preceding fact is the cause of the speaker's astonished state.
You use it when reality presents something that contradicts your expectations, is unusually impressive, or simply difficult to comprehend.
At its linguistic core, -다니 is a contracted form of -다고 하니 (romanized: -dago hani). Here, -다고 is the indirect quotation marker for declarative statements, meaning "(someone) says that..." or "it is said that...". The connective -(으)니 indicates a reason or basis for the following statement or reaction, often carrying a slightly formal or literary nuance compared to -아서/어서.
Therefore, -다니 literally means "since (it is said/you say) that [fact]," directly linking the perceived fact to your subsequent emotional response. This grammatical construction underlies its primary function: to convey that the fact itself is the trigger for your surprise or disbelief.
How This Grammar Works
[Fact/Statement] + -다니 + [Reaction/Consequence]. The [Reaction/Consequence] part explicates the speaker's emotional state or subsequent action triggered by the [Fact/Statement]. For instance, in the sentence 네가 벌써 졸업이라니 정말 축하해! (To think that you are already graduating, congratulations!), the fact of your graduation (졸업이다) is presented as the basis for the speaker's congratulatory (and implicitly surprised) sentiment.[Fact/Statement] + -다니! conveys the shock directly, without needing an explicit follow-up phrase. Consider 벌써 12시라니! (I can't believe it's 12 o'clock already!).Formation Pattern
-ㄴ다, -는다, -다, -(이)다) before -니 (the shortened 고 하니).
가다 (to go) | 간다니 | gandani | To think you go / are going |
먹다 (to eat) | 먹는다니 | meongneundani | To think you eat / are eating |
하다 (to do) | 했다니 | haetdani | To think you did |
오다 (to come) | 왔다니 | watdani | To think you came |
가다 (to go) | 갈 거라니 | gal georani | To think you will go / are going to go |
먹다 (to eat) | 먹을 거라니 | meogeul georani| To think you will eat / are going to eat |
ㄹ irregular verbs (e.g., 만들다): the ㄹ drops before ㄴ. 만들다 (to make) → 만든다니.
ㄷ irregular verbs (e.g., 듣다): ㄷ changes to ㄹ. 듣다 (to hear) → 듣는다니.
ㅂ irregular verbs (e.g., 돕다): ㅂ changes to ㅜ or ㅗ. 돕다 (to help) → 돕는다니.
예쁘다 (to be pretty) | 예쁘다니 | yeppeudani | To think it's pretty |
작다 (to be small) | 작다니 | jakdani | To think it's small |
예쁘다 (to be pretty) | 예뻤다니 | yeppeotdani | To think it was pretty |
작다 (to be small) | 작았다니 | jagattdani | To think it was small |
아름답다 (to be beautiful) | 아름다울 거라니 | areumdaul georani | To think it will be beautiful |
ㅂ irregular adjectives (e.g., 덥다): ㅂ changes to ㅜ or ㅗ. 덥다 (to be hot) → 덥다니.
친구 (friend) | 친구라니 | chingurani | To think it's a friend / you're a friend |\
학생 (student) | 학생이라니 | haksaengirani | To think it's a student / you're a student |\
친구 (friend) | 친구였다니 | chinguyeotdani | To think it was a friend |\
학생 (student) | 학생이었다니 | haksaengieotdani | To think it was a student |\
선생님 (teacher) | 선생님일 거라니 | seonsaengnimil georani | To think it will be a teacher |
-다니 form, resulting in -다니요. For instance, if your colleague tells you they are resigning, you might respond with 그만두다니요?! (You're quitting?!).
When To Use It
- 1Expressing Shock or Disbelief at Unexpected News/Facts: This is the most common application. You use -다니 when you hear or read something that significantly deviates from your expectations or seems too extraordinary to be true. This can be for both significant and trivial matters.
그가 다음 달에 결혼한다니, 정말 믿기지 않아.(To think he's getting married next month, I really can't believe it.)이 작은 가게가 미슐랭 스타 레스토랑이라니!(To think this small shop is a Michelin-starred restaurant!)
- 1Conveying Admiration or Impressiveness: When someone achieves something remarkable, or a situation is surprisingly good, -다니 can express awe. The surprise here is positive, acknowledging an impressive feat.
네가 혼자서 이 모든 일을 해냈다니, 정말 대단하다!(To think you did all this work by yourself, that's truly amazing!)이 짧은 시간 안에 이렇게 많은 것을 배우다니, 역시 천재구나.(To think you learned so much in such a short time, you truly are a genius.)
- 1Expressing Dismay, Disappointment, or Frustration: Conversely, if the unexpected information is negative, -다니 can convey strong disappointment or exasperation. It reflects a sense of
Formation of -다니
| Category | Present | Past | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Verb
|
간다니
|
갔다니
|
-
|
|
Adjective
|
예쁘다니
|
예뻤다니
|
-
|
|
Noun
|
-
|
-
|
학생이라니
|
Meanings
Expresses the speaker's surprise, disbelief, or strong emotional reaction to a specific fact or situation.
Pure Disbelief
Expressing shock at a surprising piece of news.
“그렇게 똑똑한 사람이 시험에 떨어졌다니!”
“오늘이 벌써 마지막 날이라니!”
Self-Reflection
Expressing surprise at one's own past actions or state.
“내가 그런 실수를 했다니...”
“내가 그 사람을 좋아했다니 믿기지 않아.”
Indignation
Expressing anger or frustration at a situation.
“어떻게 나한테 거짓말을 했다니!”
“아직도 숙제를 안 했다니!”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Present Verb
|
Stem + 는다니
|
먹는다니
|
|
Past Verb
|
Stem + 았다/었다니
|
먹었다니
|
|
Adjective
|
Stem + 다니
|
좋다니
|
|
Noun
|
Noun + (이)라니
|
선생님이라니
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Verb + 다니
|
안 간다니
|
|
Future
|
Stem + 겠다니
|
가겠다니
|
Formality Spectrum
그가 떠났다니 믿을 수 없습니다. (Reacting to news)
그가 떠났다니 믿을 수 없어요. (Reacting to news)
그가 떠났다니 믿을 수 없어. (Reacting to news)
그가 떠났다니 대박! (Reacting to news)
The -다니 Emotion Web
Reaction
- 놀라워요 Surprising
Feeling
- 믿을 수 없어요 Unbelievable
Examples by Level
오늘이 휴일이라니!
I can't believe today is a holiday!
비가 온다니!
I can't believe it's raining!
맛있다니!
I can't believe it's delicious!
그가 왔다니!
I can't believe he came!
벌써 끝났다니 믿을 수 없어요.
I can't believe it's already over.
내가 이겼다니!
I can't believe I won!
그녀가 아프다니 슬퍼요.
I'm sad that she is sick.
내일 시험이라니!
I can't believe there's a test tomorrow!
그렇게 열심히 공부했는데 떨어졌다니 너무 속상해요.
I'm so upset that I failed after studying so hard.
그가 거짓말을 했다니 정말 실망이야.
I'm so disappointed that he lied.
이 식당이 문을 닫았다니 아쉽네요.
It's a shame this restaurant closed down.
우리가 다시 만날 수 있다니 꿈만 같아요.
It feels like a dream that we can meet again.
그가 그런 무례한 행동을 했다니 도저히 이해할 수 없네요.
I simply cannot understand how he could behave so rudely.
이런 상황에서 포기하지 않았다니 정말 대단합니다.
It is truly impressive that you didn't give up in this situation.
그 계획이 실패로 돌아갔다니 믿기지 않습니다.
I cannot believe the plan ended in failure.
당신이 직접 이 일을 처리했다니 놀랍군요.
I am surprised that you handled this task yourself.
그가 그토록 오랫동안 비밀을 지켜왔다니 경이로울 따름입니다.
It is nothing short of miraculous that he kept the secret for so long.
그토록 고집스럽던 그가 먼저 사과를 했다니 세상이 변했나 봅니다.
The world must be changing, seeing as he, who was so stubborn, apologized first.
이런 비극적인 사건이 우리 동네에서 일어났다니 충격적입니다.
It is shocking that such a tragic event occurred in our neighborhood.
그가 그 제안을 거절했다니 그의 야망이 어느 정도인지 짐작이 가네요.
Seeing that he rejected the offer, I can guess the extent of his ambition.
그가 그토록 헌신적으로 연구에 매진했다니 그의 학문적 열정은 타의 추종을 불허합니다.
Given that he devoted himself so selflessly to his research, his academic passion is unparalleled.
이토록 방대한 자료를 단 하루 만에 분석해냈다니 그의 능력은 가히 경이롭습니다.
It is truly marvelous that he analyzed such vast data in just one day.
그가 그 모든 고난을 묵묵히 견뎌냈다니 그 인내심에 경의를 표합니다.
I pay tribute to his patience, seeing that he silently endured all those hardships.
이런 시대착오적인 발상이 아직도 통용된다니 개탄스러울 뿐입니다.
It is lamentable that such anachronistic ideas are still accepted.
Easily Confused
Both involve hearing information.
Both use -다니.
Both sound similar.
Common Mistakes
가다니요
간다니
먹다니
먹는다니
학생다니
학생이라니
예쁘다니요
예쁘다니
갔다니요
갔다니
비싸다니
비싸다니
공부했다니
공부했다니
그가 간다니?
그가 가다니!
슬프다니
슬프다니!
먹었다니
먹었다니!
그가 했다니요?
그가 했다니!
가다니
간다는 사실이 놀랍다
먹다니
먹는다니
학생이라니
학생이라니!
Sentence Patterns
___(이)라니 믿을 수 없어요.
___(으)니 놀라워요.
___(으)니 정말 대단해요.
___(으)니 화가 나요.
Real World Usage
벌써 도착했다니!
이게 사실이라니 대박.
그 프로젝트를 성공시켰다니 놀랍습니다.
오늘이 마지막 날이라니!
벌써 배달이 왔다니!
이 이론이 틀렸다니.
Use with emotion
Don't use for facts
Use for self-reflection
Empathy
Smart Tips
Use -다니 instead of just saying '놀라워요'.
Use -다니 to express disbelief at your own actions.
Use -다니 when a friend tells you bad news.
Remember to use -이라니.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄴ' sound often links to the next syllable.
Exclamatory
간-다-니! (rising then falling)
Conveys strong surprise.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '다니' as 'Don't-a-knee'—you're so shocked your knees are shaking!
Visual Association
Imagine a person with their jaw dropped, pointing at a calendar or a news headline, with the word '다니' floating in a speech bubble.
Rhyme
It happened? Oh my! Use -다니 with a sigh.
Story
Min-su hears his cat can talk. He freezes. He says, 'My cat talks? (말을 한다니!)'. He tells his friend, 'My cat talks! (말을 한다니!)'.
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, every time you hear a fact, try to say it out loud using -다니.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this to show empathy. By reacting strongly, you show you are listening.
Derived from the retrospective marker -다 and the nominalizer -니.
Conversation Starters
오늘 날씨가 춥다니 놀랍지 않아요?
그가 사과를 했다니 믿겨져요?
시험이 내일이라니 준비 다 했어요?
이 식당이 맛있다니 가볼까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그가 벌써 ___ (떠나다) 놀라워요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
학생다니 믿을 수 없어요.
그가 / 왔다니 / 놀라워요
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 그가 사과했어. B: ___
그가 떠났다. (Add -다니)
-다니 is used for neutral facts.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그가 벌써 ___ (떠나다) 놀라워요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
학생다니 믿을 수 없어요.
그가 / 왔다니 / 놀라워요
Match the emotion.
A: 그가 사과했어. B: ___
그가 떠났다. (Add -다니)
-다니 is used for neutral facts.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
6 exercises그가 갑자기 ___ (가다) 믿기지 않아.
그가 선생님라니 놀랐어요.
Rearrange the sentence:
Translate to Korean:
이 가방이 그렇게 ___ 놀라워요.
Match the pairs:
Score: /6
FAQ (8)
Yes, you can use it with -겠다니.
It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
It's a specific rule for noun stems.
Yes, it's great for self-reflection.
No, -다고 is for reporting.
Yes, it's common in essays and diaries.
It can be a clause connector.
Use it with stronger adjectives.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
¡Cómo que...!
Korean uses a suffix, Spanish uses a prefix phrase.
Je n'arrive pas à croire que...
Korean is more concise.
Dass...!
Korean is more emotive.
〜なんて
Grammar structure is very similar.
لا أصدق أن...
Korean is more compact.
竟然...
Korean uses a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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