A/V-았/었었어요

has changed since

Explanation

This pattern is used to express something or a situation that occurred in the past but did not continue or something separate from the present because it occurred much earlier than when the speaker is describing it. It approximates to 'did/had (in the past)' in English.

Details

What is difference between Verb/ Adj 았/었어요 and Verb/ Adj 았/었었어요

  • Verb/ Adj 았/었어요

Expresses that something simply occurred in the past or that an action or situation that ended in the past has remained that way.

댄 씨는 작년에 한국에 왔어요.
Dane may still be in Korea. We don't know what happened after he came to Korea. He may be in some place other than Korea.
댄 씨는 서울에서 1년 살았어요.
Dane has been living in Seoul for one year. He previously lived in Seoul for one year, but we don't know where he lives now.

  • Verb/ Adj 았/었었어요

Expresses a past occurrence that does not continue to the present.

댄 씨는 작년에 한국에 왔었어요.
Dane came to Korea and later left; he is not in Korea now.
댄 씨는 서울에서 1년 동안 살았었어요.
Dane previously lived in Seoul for one year, but now he does not live in Seoul.

Kimchi Reader

Referring to a past event that is different from the present or does not continue to the present.

Examples
10년 전까지는 외국에 <span class='focus'>살았었어요</span>.
I lived abroad until 10 years ago.
어렸을 때는 파를 안 <span class='focus'>먹었었어요</span>.
I didn't eat green onions when I was young.
이 아빠가 군대 있을 때 취사병이었다고 <span class='focus'>얘기했었나</span>?
Did this dad say he was a cook when he was in the army?

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