📝 Using Reported Speech in Complex Sentences – Advanced Level (TOPIK 5–6)

Have you struggled to report what someone said or thought in Korean, especially in long and complex sentences?

This advanced lesson guides you through reported speech (간접화법) with multiple clauses, different tenses, and emotional nuances. I’ll teach you as if we are in a real class, breaking it down with examples and tips for formal writing and conversations.

📚 Table of Contents

• What is Reported Speech (간접화법)?
• Key Reported Speech Forms
• Complex Sentence Examples
• Practice Dialogue: Advanced Quoting
• Did You Know? Politeness in Reported Speech
• Final Thoughts

💡 What is Reported Speech (간접화법)?

Reported speech in Korean allows you to **relay what someone else said or thought** without quoting them directly. Instead of using quotation marks (“ ”), you attach specific endings like -다고 하다, -냐고 하다, or -자고 하다.

At the advanced level, you’ll combine these forms into **complex sentences** with multiple clauses, time shifts, and layered meanings—essential for academic writing, news reports, and formal discussions.

📝 Key Reported Speech Forms

• -다고 하다 → Used for statements 예: 그는 내일 비가 올 거라고 말했다. He said that it will rain tomorrow.
• -냐고 하다 → Used for questions 예: 그녀는 내가 어디 가는지 물어봤다. She asked where I was going.
• -자고 하다 → Used for suggestions 예: 친구가 같이 여행 가자고 했다. My friend suggested going on a trip together.
• -(으)라고 하다 → Used for commands or requests 예: 엄마가 숙제를 하라고 하셨다. My mom told me to do my homework.

Teacher’s Note: Notice how tense and politeness shift inside reported speech: The quoted part maintains its tense, while the reporting verb adapts to context (말했다, 물어봤다, 하셨다).

💬 Complex Sentence Examples

1) Combining statements with reasons:

그는 회의가 연기될 거라고 하면서, 준비할 시간이 더 필요하다고 말했다. He said that the meeting would be postponed and added that he needed more time to prepare.

2) Mixing statements and questions:

교수님은 시험 범위가 바뀌었다고 하시면서, 내가 새로운 공지를 봤냐고 물어보셨다. The professor said the exam scope had changed and asked if I had seen the new announcement.

3) Quoting thoughts and feelings:

저는 그 소식을 듣고 정말 믿을 수 없다고 생각하면서도, 확인해 봐야겠다고 마음먹었어요. After hearing the news, I thought it was unbelievable but decided I should check it anyway.

💡 Tip: At this level, pay attention to **logical connectors** (면서, 하지만, 그러면서도) to link multiple reported ideas smoothly.

🗣 Practice Dialogue: Advanced Quoting

Teacher: “How would you report this? Your friend said, ‘I can’t join the trip because I’m busy,’ and asked if you could go instead.”

Student: 제 친구가 바빠서 여행에 못 간다고 하면서, 제가 대신 갈 수 있냐고 물어봤어요.

Teacher: “Excellent! Can you make it even more formal, as if reporting in a business meeting?”

Student: 제 동료가 바빠서 출장에 참석할 수 없다고 하며, 제가 대신 참여할 수 있는지 문의했습니다.

🧩 Quick Check: Can you rewrite this dialogue using “-자고 하다” (suggestion) and “-라고 하다” (command)? For example, “He suggested postponing the trip and told me to inform the others.”

🌏 Did You Know? Politeness in Reported Speech

In Korean, reported speech is often used in **news reports** and **formal meetings** to avoid direct accusations or to soften statements. For example, instead of “He lied,” you might hear “He said that he didn’t know,” allowing the listener to judge. This reflects Korea’s indirect communication style and value on maintaining harmony.

📦 Final Thoughts

Mastering reported speech with multiple clauses helps you communicate nuanced ideas in Korean. It’s vital for academic writing, journalism, and advanced conversations. Keep practicing by summarizing news articles or reporting conversations in Korean—your fluency and accuracy will grow quickly.

I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!

🎓 Want to practice reported speech in complex sentences with real feedback? Book a 1:1 Korean class on italki and refine your skills for advanced-level fluency!

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