Lesson 25
As you have learned so far, there are many different types of verb endings in Korean, each of which has very specific rules. This one is no exception. Changing a plain sentence to end with -네요 expresses that you are impressed, surprised, or your own personal thought. This ending is used quite frequently in everyday Korean conversation as well as in Korean dramas.
For example, saying “맛있어요” just means “it is delicious.” Saying “맛있네요”, on the other hand, expresses that you are impressed or surprised by the taste. While “맛있어요” can mean the same thing when said with the right intonation, it cannot convey the same message when it is written.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -네요
-았/었/였 (past tense suffix) + -네요
Ex)
크다 = to be big (verb stem = 크)
크 + 어요 → 커요. = It is big. (Fact)
크 + 네요 → 크네요. = (I see that) it is big. / (Oh, I did not know it was big, but) it is big. (Expressing surprise)
잘 어울리다 = to suit someone well; to go well with someone
잘 어울리 + 어요 → 잘 어울려요. = It looks good on you. (Fact)
잘 어울리 + 네요 → 잘 어울리네요. = Oh! I find that it looks good on you. (Expressing your impression)
맞다 = to be correct
맞 + 아요 → 맞아요. = It is correct. (Fact)
맞 + 네요 → 맞네요. = I see that it is correct! (Finding out a fact for the first time.)
Sample Sentences
여기 있네요!
= Oh, here it is!
이 드라마 재미있네요.
= I find this drama fun to watch.
* If you already know that this drama is fun and you are telling someone else that as a fact, you need to say “이 드라마 재미있어요.”
별로 안 춥네요.
= Well, it is not that cold.
아무도 안 왔네요.
= Oh, look. Nobody is here yet.
벌써 11월이네요.
= Wow, it is already November!