C1 Conjunctions & Connectors 5 min read Easy

Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는)

Use -다가는 to warn someone that their current negative behavior will inevitably lead to a future disaster.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -다가는 to warn that if someone continues a current action, a negative result will inevitably follow.

  • Attach -다가는 to the verb stem: 먹다 → 먹다가는.
  • The following clause must describe a negative outcome: 먹다가는 배탈이 날 거예요.
  • It implies the speaker is observing a bad habit or dangerous trend.
Verb Stem + -다가는 + [Negative Result]

Overview

Imagine you see a friend walking while staring at their phone. They are heading straight for a lamp post. You want to warn them before they hit it. In Korean, you need a specific grammar tool for this. That tool is -다가는. This pattern serves as a serious warning about the future. It tells someone that their current behavior will lead to trouble. It is like a red flag in a conversation. You are predicting a negative outcome based on a current action. It is powerful, direct, and very common in daily life. Think of it as the 'If you keep this up...' rule. It helps you express concern or give a stern caution.

How This Grammar Works

This pattern connects two different parts of a sentence. The first part describes a current, ongoing action or habit. The second part describes a bad result that might happen. It implies that the current behavior is a big problem. You are not just saying 'if' like a normal condition. You are saying that the continuation of the action is dangerous. It carries a heavy sense of worry or even a threat. It is like looking at a trend and seeing a disaster. If you stop the action now, you can avoid the disaster. That is the hidden message behind this grammar point. It is very effective for giving advice that sounds urgent.

Formation Pattern

1
Find the verb or adjective stem of the action.
2
Attach -다가는 directly to that stem.
3
Do not worry about whether there is a batchim.
4
For 가다, it simply becomes 가다가는.
5
For 먹다, it simply becomes 먹다가는.
6
You can also use it with the past tense -었다가는.
7
This version means 'If you do that even once, then...'.
8
Usually, we use the present stem for ongoing habits.
9
In casual speech, people often shorten it to -단.
10
The second clause usually ends in -을 거예요 or -겠어요.

When To Use It

Use this when you see a bad habit forming. Maybe your friend spends all their money on designer shoes. You could say their wallet will be empty soon. Use it for health warnings when someone skips sleep. It is perfect for dangerous situations like speeding on the highway. You will hear this a lot in professional settings too. If a project is moving too slowly, use it as a warning. It works well when someone is being rude to others. You can warn them about losing their friends or reputation. It is great for parenting or teaching scenarios as well. Use it whenever the future looks dark because of current choices.

When Not To Use It

Never use this pattern for happy or positive surprises. Don't say 'If you study, you will succeed' using -다가는. That would make success sound like a terrible punishment. Use the neutral -으면 for good or normal results instead. Avoid using it for simple facts or scientific laws. It is meant for subjective warnings and personal predictions. Do not use it if you want to be extremely polite. It can sound a bit like you are lecturing the listener. It is best for people you know well or subordinates. Using it with a CEO might be a bit risky. Unless, of course, you want to be the bravest employee there.

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake is using it for a positive outcome. Native speakers will think you are being very sarcastic. Another mistake is using it for one-time accidental actions. It usually targets behaviors that are repeating or continuing. Do not forget that the second clause must be negative. If you use a positive second clause, the sentence breaks. Some people confuse it with the simple -다가 pattern. Remember that -다가 is just an interruption of an action. Adding -는 turns it into a conditional warning for the future. Yes, even advanced learners mix these up sometimes. Just remember the 'warning' aspect to stay on track.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Let's compare this with the standard 'if' pattern, -으면. -으면 is neutral and works for any kind of result. -다가는 is specialized only for 'bad' or 'scary' results. Think of -으면 as a regular door and -다가는 as an emergency exit. There is also the -다 보니 grammar pattern. That one is for things you realized while doing something. It focuses on the past or present experience, not a warning. Then there is -느라고, which is used for making excuses. -다가는 happens before the mistake, while -느라고 happens after. It is like a grammar traffic light showing a yellow caution.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use this with adjectives like 'cold'?

Yes, like 춥다가는 감기 걸려요 (If it stays cold...).

Q

Is it only for speaking?

No, you can use it in warning signs or news.

Q

Can I use it for myself?

Yes, like 'If I keep eating, I will pop'.

Q

Does it always sound like a threat?

Not always, it often sounds like genuine, friendly worry.

Q

Is there a polite ending I must use?

Usually, the sentence ends with a future tense like -겠어요.

Q

Can I use it for the weather?

Yes, if the weather pattern will cause a disaster.

Formation Table

Verb Stem Suffix Resulting Form
가다
-다가는
가다가는
먹다
-다가는
먹다가는
공부하다
-다가는
공부하다가는
자다
-다가는
자다가는
뛰다
-다가는
뛰다가는
말하다
-다가는
말하다가는

Meanings

This grammar structure warns that if the current action or state continues, a negative, undesirable consequence will occur.

1

Warning of bad habits

Used to point out that a current behavior will lead to a specific negative result.

“술을 그렇게 마시다가는 건강을 해칠 거예요.”

“매일 야근하다가는 몸이 상할지도 몰라요.”

2

Hypothetical disaster

Used to express fear or concern about a potential future situation.

“이러다가는 정말 큰일 나겠어요.”

“이렇게 비가 계속 오다가는 홍수가 날 것 같아요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Stem + -다가는
먹다가는 배탈 나요
Negative
Stem + -지 않다가는
안 먹다가는 쓰러져요
Future
Stem + -다가는 ~ㄹ 거예요
이러다가는 망할 거예요
Past (rare)
Stem + -었/았다가는
그랬다가는 큰일 났을 거야
Hypothetical
이러다가는
이러다가는 다 죽어!
Warning
Stem + -다가는
계속 놀다가는 후회해

Formality Spectrum

Formal
술을 계속 마시다가는 건강을 해치게 됩니다.

술을 계속 마시다가는 건강을 해치게 됩니다. (Health warning)

Neutral
술을 계속 마시다가는 건강을 해칠 거예요.

술을 계속 마시다가는 건강을 해칠 거예요. (Health warning)

Informal
술을 계속 마시다가는 건강 해칠 거야.

술을 계속 마시다가는 건강 해칠 거야. (Health warning)

Slang
술 계속 마시다간 골로 간다.

술 계속 마시다간 골로 간다. (Health warning)

The -다가는 Flow

Current Action

Connector

  • -다가는 Warning

Outcome

  • Negative Result Bad consequence
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Examples by Level

1

놀다가는 큰일 나요.

If you keep playing, something bad will happen.

2

먹다가는 배 아파요.

If you keep eating, your stomach will hurt.

1

계속 자다가는 지각할 거예요.

If you keep sleeping, you will be late.

2

돈을 쓰다가는 가난해져요.

If you keep spending money, you will become poor.

1

그렇게 화를 내다가는 친구를 잃을지도 몰라.

If you keep getting angry like that, you might lose your friend.

2

지금처럼 연습하다가는 부상을 당할 수 있어요.

If you practice like this, you could get injured.

1

이러다가는 프로젝트 마감 기한을 맞추기 어려울 것 같습니다.

If things continue like this, it seems difficult to meet the project deadline.

2

무분별하게 개발하다가는 환경이 파괴될 것입니다.

If we develop recklessly, the environment will be destroyed.

1

그렇게 고집을 부리다가는 결국 아무도 당신을 돕지 않을 거예요.

If you keep being stubborn like that, eventually no one will help you.

2

이런 식으로 정책을 추진하다가는 사회적 갈등만 심화될 뿐입니다.

If we push policies in this way, it will only deepen social conflict.

1

현 상황을 방관하다가는 돌이킬 수 없는 파국을 맞이하게 될 것입니다.

If we remain bystanders to the current situation, we will face an irreversible catastrophe.

2

지나치게 낙관하다가는 위기를 기회로 바꾸지 못할 위험이 큽니다.

If we are overly optimistic, there is a high risk that we will fail to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

Easily Confused

Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는) vs -다가

Learners mix up the interruption meaning with the warning meaning.

Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는) vs -면

Learners use -면 for warnings where -다가는 is more natural.

Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는) vs -느니

Both express negative outcomes but -느니 is for choosing the lesser of two evils.

Common Mistakes

✗

공부하다가는 합격해요.

✓

공부하면 합격해요.

Cannot use for positive results.
✗

가다가는 집에 도착해요.

✓

가면 집에 도착해요.

Neutral result is not allowed.
✗

먹다가는 배가 불러요.

✓

먹으면 배가 불러요.

Must be a negative consequence.
✗

그렇게 말하다가는 이해해요.

✓

그렇게 말하면 이해해요.

Must be a negative consequence.

Sentence Patterns

___(verb)다가는 ___(negative result) 거예요.

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

이러다가는 다 망하겠네!

Workplace common

이런 식으로 진행하다가는 차질이 생길 것입니다.

Parenting common

계속 울다가는 목이 아플 거야.

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💡

Focus on the negative

Always ensure the result is bad. If it's good, use -면.
⚠️

Don't use for past tense

It's almost exclusively for future predictions.
🎯

Use '이러다가는'

This is a very natural way to start a warning sentence.

Smart Tips

Use '이러다가는' to start your sentence for extra emphasis.

계속 게임하면 성적이 떨어져. → 이러다가는 성적이 떨어질 거야.

Use it to highlight the risk of inaction.

우리는 이 문제를 해결해야 합니다. → 이 문제를 방치하다가는 큰 손실이 발생할 것입니다.

Keep the tone informal.

너는 너무 많이 먹어. → 그렇게 먹다가는 배탈 나!

Pronunciation

da-ga-neun

Linking

The 'ㄴ' sound in -다가는 is pronounced clearly.

Warning tone

Rising at the end of the first clause, falling at the end of the second.

Emphasizes the warning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '다가는' as 'Danger-gana'—if you keep doing it, you're in danger!

Visual Association

Imagine a person walking toward a cliff while looking at their phone. The sign says '-다가는' (Danger!).

Rhyme

계속하다가는, 후회하게 되네.

Story

Min-su kept playing games all night. His mom warned him, '공부 안 하고 게임만 하다가는 성적이 떨어질 거야!' Min-su didn't listen. The next day, he failed his test.

Word Web

경고 (Warning)후회 (Regret)결과 (Result)위험 (Danger)지속 (Continuation)부정적 (Negative)

Challenge

Write 3 sentences today using -다가는 to warn yourself about a bad habit.

Cultural Notes

Koreans use this to show genuine concern for others' well-being.

Derived from the verb '하다' (to do) combined with the conditional '-다가' and the topic marker '-는'.

Conversation Starters

“

요즘 너무 바빠서 잠을 못 자요.

“

매일 커피를 5잔씩 마셔요.

“

돈을 너무 많이 써요.

Journal Prompts

Write about a bad habit you have and what will happen if you keep it.
Give advice to a friend who is working too hard.
Describe a global issue and the consequences of inaction.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Must be a negative result.
Fill in the blank.

계속 놀___ 시험에 떨어질 거야.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Warning of negative result.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

술을 마시다가는 건강해질 거예요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Warning must be negative.
Translate to Korean. Translation

If you keep sleeping, you will be late.

Answer starts with: a...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Warning of negative result.

Score: /4

Practice Exercises

4 exercises
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Must be a negative result.
Fill in the blank.

계속 놀___ 시험에 떨어질 거야.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Warning of negative result.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

술을 마시다가는 건강해질 거예요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Warning must be negative.
Translate to Korean. Translation

If you keep sleeping, you will be late.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Warning of negative result.

Score: /4

FAQ (6)

No, it is strictly for negative outcomes.

It can be used in both, depending on the ending of the sentence.

-면 is neutral; -다가는 is a warning.

Rarely, but it's not standard.

You can just say '이러다가는 큰일 나요' (If things go on like this, something bad will happen).

Yes, it is very common when giving advice.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Si sigues así...

Korean attaches the marker directly to the verb stem.

French high

Si tu continues comme ça...

Korean is more concise due to agglutination.

German high

Wenn du so weitermachst...

Korean grammar is more integrated into the verb.

Japanese moderate

～ていたら

Korean -다가는 is more explicitly negative.

Arabic moderate

إذا استمررت على هذا النحو

Korean is a single word suffix.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Emphatic Conditional (-거들랑)
Next
Action Beyond Endurance (-다 못해)

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