-게?
It shows surprise, doubt, or disbelief in a question format.
Let's study the Korean grammar "-게?" today. This structure is specifically used with verbs to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief in a question format.
"-게?"
Definition:
"-게?" is a grammatical particle that attaches to the stem of verbs. It’s used to express the speaker's surprise, doubt, or disbelief about an action that seems unexpected or contradictory to what was previously said or expected. Importantly, "-게?" is only used with verbs in the present tense; it cannot be combined with verbs in the past or future tense.
Usage:
Expressing Surprise or Doubt: "-게" is employed when the speaker is questioning an action that doesn’t align with prior information or expectations. This is commonly used in informal conversations where the speaker reacts to something surprising or contradictory.
It is used exclusively with verbs and in the present tense, making it inapplicable with past or future tense forms.
Examples:
"늦게까지 공부한다더니, 벌써 자게?" You said you were going to study late, but you’ve already slept?
"다이어트 한다더니, 지금 케이크를 먹게?" You said you were on a diet, but now you're eating cake?
"아프다더니, 지금 축구를 하게?" You said you were sick, but now you're playing soccer?
"할 일이 이렇게 많은데 놀게?" You have so much work to do, but you're going to play?
“시간이 없는데 게임을 하게?” You don’t have time, but you’re playing video games?
Similar Grammar Structures:
"-냐?": Used in informal questions, often with a tone of surprise or disbelief.
Example: "배가 아프다더니 치킨을 먹냐?" You said your stomach hurt, and now you're eating chicken?
"-는다고?, -았/었다고?": Used when repeating or questioning something someone has said, typically with a sense of disbelief.
Example: "배가 아프다더니 치킨을 먹는다고?" You said your stomach hurt, but you’re saying you’re eating chicken?
These alternatives share a similar nuance of surprise or doubt, much like "-게?" but they can be more flexible with verb tenses.