Turns out: -더라(고요)

This grammar connects a past observation to your current conversation. You are basically sharing a memory from your own perspective. It acts like a bridge between the moment you noticed something and right now. Unlike the simple past tense, this ending implies you were there. You aren't just stating a dry fact from a book. You are sharing a piece of your life. It is very common in spoken Korean. You will hear it in cafes, offices, and even in job interviews. It makes you sound observant and engaged. Just remember: it’s all about what you perceived. If you didn't see it or feel it, don't use it. Using it correctly shows you have a high level of social nuance. It’s the difference between being a robot and being a storyteller.

1. 1Getting the form right is actually quite easy. You don't need to worry about complex vowel changes here. Just follow these simple steps:
2. 2Find the verb or adjective stem by dropping 다.
3. 3For the polite version, simply add -더라고요 to the stem.
4. 4For the casual version (with close friends), add -더라 to the stem.
5. 5If you are talking about the past (like "I found out it *had been* expensive"), use the past tense stem + -더라고요 (e.g., 비쌌더라고요).
6. 6For nouns, use (이)더라고요. Use 이더라고요 after a consonant and 더라고요 after a vowel.
7. 7It works the same way for both verbs and adjectives. It's like a grammar traffic light. It stays green for almost every stem you throw at it! Even the tricky irregular verbs usually behave well with this one.

You should reach for this grammar when you want to share a discovery.

• Ordering Food: You tried the new mint chocolate latte. "It's actually really good!" → 진짜 맛있더라고요!
• Checking the Weather: You stepped outside and realized it was freezing. "It's cold out there!" → 밖이 춥더라고요!
• Meeting People: You met your new boss and found him surprisingly kind. "He's very nice." → 부장님이 친절하시더라고요!
• Job Interviews: Talking about your previous experience. "I found that teamwork is the most important thing." → 팀워크가 가장 중요하더라고요.
• Asking Directions: You found out the subway station is further than you thought. "It was quite far." → 생각보다 멀더라고요.

It is perfect for those "I realized..." moments in life. It tells the listener that you are speaking from personal experience.

There are a few "no-go" zones for this grammar. First, avoid using it for your own intentional actions. If you went to the store because you planned to, don't say 제가 시장에 가더라고요. That sounds like you were watching yourself in a third-person movie! It's very weird. However, you *can* use it for your own feelings or physical reactions. Why? Because we often "discover" our feelings. You can say "I found myself feeling sad." But generally, keep the subject as something else or someone else. Also, don't use it for facts you didn't see. If you read that the sun is hot in a textbook, use the plain tense. If you stood in the sun and felt the heat, then -더라고요 is your friend. Think of it as the "First-Hand Only" rule. If you weren't there, keep this grammar in your pocket.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but usually in specific ways. The biggest trap is the "First Person Subject" trap. Don't use -더라 for things you did on purpose. If you say 제가 밥을 먹더라고요, your friends might ask if you lost your memory! Use it for things that happened *to* you or things you *noticed*. Another mistake is using it for general truths. "The Earth is round" shouldn't use -더라고요 unless you just returned from space. Keep it personal. Also, don't confuse it with -네요. While -네요 is for immediate surprise right now, -더라고요 is for reflecting on a past observation. It’s like a replay button on a video. Make sure your timing is right!

Let’s compare -더라고요 with -았/었어요 and -네요.

• Simple Past (-았/었어요): This is just a fact. 어제 비가 왔어요 (It rained yesterday). It's objective.
• Personal Discovery (-더라고요): This is a memory. 어제 비가 오더라고요 (I saw that it was raining yesterday). It adds your perspective.
• Immediate Surprise (-네요): This is happening right now. 비가 오네요! (Oh, it's raining!).

Think of -았/었어요 as a news report. Think of -더라고요 as a blog post. One is data; the other is an experience. There is also -던데요, which is similar but often used to disagree or express surprise at someone else's statement. -더라고요 is more about just sharing your own finding.