-대

See also: 대

(see here for Sino-Korean suffixes)

Korean

Alternative forms

래 (-rae) — in the environments of the 라 (-ra) allomorph

Etymology

Short for 다(고) 해 (-da(-go) hae, “[one] says that...”).

Suffix

대 • (-dae)

In the intimate style, used to convey something someone else has said:
1. they say, apparently; used to report or ask about something one has heard about (often from an unclear source), adding a nuance that one is only reporting what other people have said rather than claiming so personally.
  뉴스 보니까 아프간 에서 탈레반 이 파죽지세 로 전국 을 장악하고 있대.
  Nyuseu bonikka Apeugan-eseo Talleban-i pajukjise-ro jeon'gug-eul jang'ak-hago itdae.
  I was watching the news, and apparently the Taliban in Afghanistan is rapidly taking over the entire country.
  
  누구 한테 서 들었는데, 여기 엄청난 보물 이 매장돼 있대.
  Nugu-hante-seo deureonneunde, yeogi eomcheong-nan bomur-i maejang-dwae itdae.
  I heard it from somebody that apparently there's immense treasure buried here.
  
  오늘 날씨 별로래.
  Oneul nalssi byeollo-rae.
  They say the weather is bad today.
  
  오늘 주식 은 어떻대?
  oneul jusig-eun eotteotae?
  What do they say the stock market is like today?
2. Used to report or ask about something that someone says constantly or regularly.
  걔 는 볼 때 마다 돈 이 없대.
  Gyae-neun bol ttae-mada don-i eopdae.
  Every time I meet him, he says he has no money.
3. Used to report or ask about something that one has been told in the (near) past. The use of a present-tense form for a situation in the past gives a more vivid nuance.
  Synonym: 댔어 (-daesseo)
  
  결혼식 갔다왔어. — 신랑 은 행복하대?
  Gyeolhonsik gatda-wasseo. - sillang-eun haengbok-hadae?
  I came back from a wedding. — Does the groom say he's happy?
  
  어제 만나 보니까 최근 너무 우울했대.
  Eoje manna-bonikka choegeun neomu uul-haetdae.
  I met him yesterday, and he said he was so depressed recently.
In the intimate style, used to ask about a fact that one takes as a given, adding a nuance of annoyance or surprise.
오늘 은 왜 이렇게 폭염 이래?
oneur-eun wae ireoke pogyeom-i-rae?
God, why is it so hot today?

그 나라 는 땅덩어리 는 크면서 왜 그렇게 돈 이 없대?
geu nara-neun ttangdeong'eori-neun keumyeonseo wae geureoke don-i eopdae?
Why does that country have no money even when it's so big in territory?