Learn Korean: Verb + 라는 말

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 라는 말. We use this to take out statements or specific words that someone has said and say something about it. That statement must be a command. For example, my brother is complaining of severe stomachache and mom is asking what caused it. My brother blames me for telling him to eat the candy we found in the street. I did tell him that (Eat the candy!) but I denied it. I said I didn’t tell him to eat the candy. The main verb is 먹다 (to eat). We take the verb stem (먹) and attach 으라는 말 because it ends in a consonant. Otherwise, use 라는 말. The full phrase is 캔디 먹으라는 말. Then, we add 안 했다 to deny the act of saying such words. The actual sentence is 캔디 먹으라는 말 안 했어요.

사진 찍으라는 말 안 했어요.

I didn’t tell him to take a picture.

때리라는 말 내가 안 했어요.

I wasn’t the one who told him to hit that kid.

불 태우라는 말 안 했어.

I never said that he burn it.