V+(ㄴ/는)답시고

Table of content

Attempting but Failing

trying to..., but...

Expresses that someone attempts to do something, but ends up causing a bad result.

Example

동생이 휴대폰을 고친답시고 만지다가 망가뜨렸어.

My brother tried to fix the phone but ended up breaking it.
아기가 엄마를 도와준답시고 설거지를 하다가 주방을 엉망으로 만들었다.

The baby tried to help mom with the dishes but made a mess in the kitchen.
친구가 공부한답시고 도서관에 갔지만 잠만 잤다.

My friend claimed to study at the library but just slept.
그녀가 웃긴 이야기 한답시고 했는데 아무도 안 웃었다.

She tried to tell a funny story but no one laughed.

Related to

Indicates that someone tried to perform an action with good intentions, but ended up causing a negative result.
Expresses disappointment or sarcasm about the action.

When used with adjectives, it can imply that someone thought or claimed something to be a certain way, but it wasn't.

When used in the first person, it expresses self-deprecation.
Speaker may downplay their own efforts or admit to causing an unintended negative outcome.

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