ITOPIK 1-2

N인데

I'm …, this is … (sets up the premise before the point)

Attach -인데 to a noun to put your role, the setting, or the premise out first, and only then say what you came to say. It can turn (this is the sample, but the colour is wrong), though more often it simply tells the listener which matter you are about to raise. Ending on -인데요 makes it a soft opener that leaves the rest to the other person.

접속 conjugation

  • Attach 인데 straight to the noun; vowel and consonant endings behave the same: 학생 → 학생인데 / 회의 → 회의인데
  • In the past, a consonant ending takes -이었는데 and a vowel ending -였는데: 담당자였는데 / 신입이었는데
  • For the negative use N이/가 아닌데: 제 담당이 아닌데요

예문

EXAMPLES
저는 이번에 새로 온 담당자인데요, 인사드리려고 연락드렸습니다.
I'm the new person handling this, and I'm calling to introduce myself.from 2026.09.16 Wed the examples
과장님, 영업2팀 한 대리인데요, 잠깐 여쭤볼 게 있습니다.
I'm Han from sales team two. Could I ask you about something?from 2026.09.16 Wed the business dialogue
여보세요, 저 아까 문자 드린 사람인데요.
Hello, I'm the person who texted you a moment ago.from 2026.09.17 Thu the examples
오늘이 신청 마지막 날인데 아직 서류를 못 냈어요.
Today is the last day to apply, and I still haven't handed in the paperwork.from 2026.09.17 Thu the examples
십 년 만인데 그 정도는 다들 똑같아. 가서 보면 금방 기억날걸.
It's been ten years, so everyone's in the same boat. You'll remember the moment you see them.from 2026.09.17 Thu the everyday dialogue
The verb ending -는데 cannot attach to a noun directly (✗ 회의는데 / ○ 회의인데). Also, ending on -인데요 hands the turn back to the listener rather than closing the thought; use -입니다 or -이에요 when you mean to finish it.

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