Dictionary — Entry No. 0841
그런데
geunde-deul · conjunction
그런데
geunde-deul
[GROON-duh]
conjunctionbeginner
Meaning
Casual conjunction meaning ‘but’ or ‘however’ that introduces a contrast or unexpected twist. Softens disagreement and signals a shift in topic while maintaining conversational flow—less confrontational than direct negation.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Perhaps the most frequently heard word in Korean conversation and K-Drama dialogue. K-Pop idols use this in nearly every interview sentence to pivot between points. It’s the verbal equivalent of ‘but here’s the thing’—makes disagreement polite instead of rude.
Example Sentences
좋은데 너무 비싸.
joheun-de neomu bissada.
It’s good, but (it’s) way too expensive. (positive with a caveat)
그건 맞는데 나는 싫어.
geugeon matchneun-de naneun sil-eo.
That’s right, but I don’t like it. (agreeing then disagreeing)
내일은 괜찮은데 오늘은 바빠.
naeil-eun gwaenchanheun-de oneul-eun bappada.
Tomorrow’s fine, but today I’m busy. (contrasting times)
⚠️ Don’t use geunde-deul when…
그런데 is casual-only; use 하지만 in formal writing. Adding -는 creates awkward phrasing—use the base form. Overuse makes sentences listy; learn to use commas instead.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Squid Game — Characters constantly say ‘그런데’ when negotiating, expressing doubt, or revealing hidden agendas, creating authentic dialogue tension.
- K-Pop: IVE — Members use ‘그런데’ in every Weverse post and interview, pivoting between compliments and playful complaints about each other.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.