Contrast and Concession
Korean Grammar 3
Course 3 · Chapter 8 · Contrast and Concession
⚖️ Contrast and Concession — 대조와 양보
Korean Grammar 3 7 gave the ways to say why. This chapter gives the ways to say in spite of. English has two main ideas: "even if" (a hypothetical, which may not happen) and "although" (a fact that goes against expectation). Korean keeps them apart with different endings, and adds two more patterns for adding information (not only … but also) and limiting it (only).
-아/어도: even if, even though
Stem + -아/어도 (noun + 이어도 / 여도). It covers both ideas in speech: the context decides whether the clause is hypothetical or real. It is often strengthened with 아무리 ("however much").
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 비가 와도 갈 거예요. | I'll go even if it rains. |
| 아무리 피곤해도 운동은 해요. | However tired I am, I exercise. |
| 많이 먹어도 살이 안 쪄요. | Even though I eat a lot, I don't put on weight. |
| 주말이어도 일해야 해요. | Even if it's the weekend, I have to work. |
The past form -았/었어도 usually means "even if (it) had happened" or "even though (it) happened": 미리 알았어도 소용없었을 거예요 "even if I had known beforehand, it would have been no use".
-더라도 and -(으)ㄹ지라도: stronger "even if"
Both express a hypothetical concession with more force than -아/어도. They suit a firm decision or a determined attitude, and the second clause may be a command or a suggestion.
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| -더라도 | 아무리 힘들더라도 포기하지 마세요. | However hard it is, don't give up. |
| -더라도 | 늦더라도 꼭 오세요. | Even if you are late, do come. |
| -(으)ㄹ지라도 | 실패할지라도 도전하겠습니다. | Even if I fail, I will take up the challenge. |
-(으)ㄴ/는데도: although (a fact)
This pattern is -(으)ㄴ/는데 plus 도. It states a real fact and then something unexpected. Tense is allowed before it.
| Type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb, present | -는데도 | 매일 연습하는데도 실력이 안 늘어요. Although I practise every day, my skill doesn't improve. |
| adjective, present | -(으)ㄴ데도 | 날씨가 추운데도 사람이 많아요. Although it's cold, there are many people. |
| past | -았/었는데도 | 열심히 공부했는데도 떨어졌어요. Although I studied hard, I failed. |
| noun | -인데도 | 월요일인데도 한가해요. Although it's Monday, it's quiet. |
-기는 하지만: "it is …, but"
Repeat the verb or adjective with -기는 하다, which grants the point, then add 하지만 for the objection. In speech it is shortened to -긴 하지만.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 맛있기는 하지만 너무 비싸요. | It is tasty, but it's too expensive. |
| 가긴 가겠지만 오래 못 있어요. | I will go, but I can't stay long. |
| 한국어가 어렵긴 하지만 재미있어요. | Korean is hard, but it's fun. |
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라: not only … but also
Verb or adjective stem + -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라; with a noun, noun + 뿐만 아니라 (or noun 일 뿐만 아니라). The second clause adds something, usually with 도 or 또한.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 그 사람은 똑똑할 뿐만 아니라 친절해요. | He is not only clever but also kind. |
| 이 식당은 음식이 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 값도 싸요. | This restaurant's food is not only tasty but also cheap. |
| 영어뿐만 아니라 일본어도 할 수 있어요. | I can speak not only English but also Japanese. |
-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다: only, merely
뿐 means "only". After a noun it attaches directly (당신뿐이에요 "it is only you"); after a verb or adjective use -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다, which says nothing more than that.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 저는 그냥 웃을 뿐이에요. | I just smile, that's all. |
| 제가 믿는 사람은 가족뿐이에요. | The only people I trust are my family. |
| 저는 시킨 대로 했을 뿐입니다. | I only did as I was told. |
"Even if" against "although"
| Idea | Pattern | Is the first clause a fact? | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| even if | -아/어도 | either | neutral |
| even if | -더라도 | hypothetical | strong |
| even if | -(으)ㄹ지라도 | hypothetical | strong, formal |
| although | -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | fact | surprise |
| although | -지만 | fact | plain contrast |
| it is …, but | -기는 하지만 | fact, conceded | soft contrast |
🗣️ In Use — 실제 예문
Three exchanges with concession.
① A firm decision (-더라도)
② A surprise (-는데도)
③ Not only (-ㄹ 뿐만 아니라)
📋 Quick Reference — 요약표
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어도 | even if / even though | 비가 와도 가요 |
| -더라도 | even if (strong) | 늦더라도 오세요 |
| -(으)ㄹ지라도 | even if (formal) | 실패할지라도 도전하겠다 |
| -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | although (fact) | 공부했는데도 떨어졌어요 |
| -기는 하지만 | it is …, but | 맛있긴 하지만 비싸요 |
| -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 | not only … but also | 똑똑할 뿐만 아니라 친절해요 |
| -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 | only | 웃을 뿐이에요 |
✏️ Try It Yourself — 연습
Work out the answer first, then click to check.
1. Say "I'll go even if it's far" with -아/어도.
Show answer
멀어도 갈 거예요.
2. Say "However hard it is, don't give up" with -더라도.
Show answer
아무리 힘들더라도 포기하지 마세요.
3. Say "I'm tired even though I slept a lot" with -(으)ㄴ/는데도.
Show answer
많이 잤는데도 피곤해요.
4. Say "It's pretty, but it's expensive" with -기는 하지만.
Show answer
예쁘기는 하지만 비싸요. (or 예쁘긴 하지만)
5. Say "She is not only a teacher but also a writer."
Show answer
그녀는 선생님일 뿐만 아니라 작가이기도 해요.
6. Say "I only watched" with -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다.
Show answer
저는 보았을 뿐이에요. (or 봤을 뿐이에요)
7. When it is already raining, why is 비가 오는데도 가요 better than 비가 오더라도 가요?
Show answer
-더라도 is for a hypothetical. The rain is already a fact, so use -(으)ㄴ/는데도 or -지만.
8. Which means "although" and which "even if": 비싸도 사요 · 비싼데도 사요?
Show answer
비싸도 사요 is "even if / even though it's expensive" (open); 비싼데도 사요 is "although it is expensive" (a stated fact).
9. Say "It's only you" with 뿐.
Show answer
당신뿐이에요. (No space between the noun and 뿐.)