-다가

V/Adj/이다,아니다 + 다가 1. This indicates that the subject’s action or state is stopped and transitioned to another action or state.

밥을 먹다가 전화를 받았어요.

I was eating and I got a phone call.

조용하다가 시끄러워졌다.

It was quiet and then became noisy.

빵집에 갔다가 도서관에 가려고 해요.

I'm planning to go to the library after stopping by the bakery.

• It can also be used when the first clause continues, and another action happens together additionally. It carries the nuance that one action connects to another through an unintended coincidence or a sudden shift.

줄을 기다리다가 친구를 마주쳤어요. While waiting in line, I encountered my friend.

길을 걷다가 돈을 주웠어요. I picked up some money while walking down the street.

• You can omit ‘-가’.

밥을 먹다 전화를 받았어요.

V + 다(가) 2. This indicates an unintentional reason or cause that leads to a negative result. (ended up~)

사과를 깎다가 손을 다쳤어요.

I hurt my hand while peeling an apple.

게임만 하다가 시험을 망치겠어요.

If you only play games, you'll end up ruining your exam.

밤에 계속 과자를 먹다가 살이 쪘어요.

I ended up gaining weight from eating snacks at night.

• You can omit ‘-가’

게임만 하다 시험을 망쳤어요.

• Tense: always base form

학교 가겠다가 친구 만날 거예요 X → 가다가 O

학교 갔다가 친구 만났어요 △

학교 가다가 친구 만났어요. I met a friend while going to school.

학교 갔다가 친구 만났어요. I met a friend after going to school.

옷을 입다가 벗었어요. I was in the middle of putting on clothes but then took them off.

옷을 입었다가 벗었어요. I wore the clothes and then took them off.

→ When used with past tense, it indicates that the action in the first clause was completely finished before the action in the second clause began.