Nuance Dictionary / Grammar
등 등 Deung deung
An objective marker used in writing to list examples, items, or categories without claiming to be exhaustive.
What does 등 등 mean?
등 등 (Deung deung) means: An objective marker used in writing to list examples, items, or categories without claiming to be exhaustive.
When natives write reports, academic papers, or formal emails, they use '등' to say 'and so on' or 'among other things.' It projects professional distance, efficiency, and academic authority. Learners often overuse it in casual speech where natives would just use '하고' or trail off naturally.
Other sides of 등 등
◆ Casual Dismissal — While textbooks teach 등등 as a neat, clinical equivalent of 'etc.,' natives often use it in spoken Korean to shortcut a conversation they're already bored with. When you tack it onto two or three rapid-fire examples and clip your voice at the end, it signals 'you get the gist, I don't need to spell out the rest.' Learners usually mess this up by treating it like a formal bookkeeping tool, failing to capture the casual, slightly impatient exhale that makes it sound native.
How it's actually used
- 회의에서는 예산, 인력, 일정 등 주요 안건을 논의했습니다.
Hui-ui-eseo-neun ye-san, in-ryeok, il-jeong deung ju-yo an-ggeon-eul non-ui-haess-seumnida.
During the meeting, we discussed major agenda items such as budget, personnel, and schedule.
💡 Demonstrates the standard business and formal report writing style where '등' creates a clean, professional grouping. - 서울, 부산, 대구 등 대도시의 교통 체증이 심각합니다.
Seoul, Busan, Daegu deung dae-do-si-ui gyo-tong che-jeung-i sim-gak-ham-ni-da.
Traffic congestion is severe in major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Daegu.
💡 Shows how '등' follows a series of parallel nouns to establish clear, objective categories in public discourse. - 독서, 영화 감상, 운동 등 취미가 다양하시네요.
Dok-seo, yeong-hwa gam-sang, un-dong deung chwi-mi-ga da-yang-ha-si-ne-yo.
You have a variety of hobbies, such as reading, watching movies, and exercising.
💡 Even in polite conversation, using '등' adds a slightly polished, structured tone when summarizing someone's interests.
Related words in Grammar
도대체 do-dae-che되다 Doeda에 vs 에서 e vs eseo을 eul을 겸 (해서) Eul gyeom (haeseo)