Learn Korean: Verb + 다니 무슨

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 다니 무슨. We use this as a response to a shocking and unbelievable statement made by the person we are talking to. We are just dumbfounded. The ending question is actually 무슨 말이야 (말이에요)? which means What do you mean by that? I refuse to accept what I just heard. For example, as soon as I got to class this morning, I saw everyone silently weeping at their desk. There was an awkward and weird silence. I took my seat and asked my seatmate what was wrong. In tears, she said that our classmate Yerim had died. I could not believe that as were together last night. I said What do you mean she died? (That must not be true). The main verb is 죽다 (to die). Its past tense form is 죽었다. We get rid of 다 (죽었) and attach 다니 무슨 말이다. The actual sentence is 죽었다니 무슨 말이야/이에요?

성민이가 탈락했다니 무슨 말이야?

What do you mean Sungmin got eliminated (from the show)? He was a great contender. I can’t believe he just did.

자살했다니 무슨 말이야?

What do you mean she killed herself?

안 가다니 무슨 말이야?

What do you mean you are not going? (We already planned our trip and even talked about it yesterday)