거든 [ Korean Grammar ]

There are many ways of using 거든 grammar pattern. It can be used as a connective ending as well as sentence final ending. Depending on the usage the meaning changes. 

Conjugation rule :

The rule to conjugate is quite simple.

A/V -거든 

Irrespective of whether the stem ends with a consonant or vowel add -거든 after the stem. 

N(이다)

• With stems ending with consonant add 이거든 
• With stems ending with a vowel add 거든

Let's look at different ways of using this grammar pattern one by one with the example sentences.

1. A connective ending used to convey the meaning, "if something is true or turns out to be true."

1. If your child is sick, take him to the hospital quickly.

아이가 아프거든 빨리 병원에 데리고 가세요.

2. If the test date is set, let's study together in the library until the test.

시험 날짜가 정해지거든 시험 때까지 같이 도서관에서 공부하자.

2. A connective ending used to indicate that the following statement is obviously true by citing the preceding statement as an example.

1. It goes without saying that an adult is an adult because even a child knows the etiquette.

어린아이도 알고 있는 예절이거든 성인이야 두말할 필요가 없다.

2. How could a friend change his mind when his parents couldn't stop his child?

부모도 자식을 말리지 못했거든 친구가 어떻게 마음을 돌릴 수 있었겠어?

3. Does it make sense that animals are also for their babies, but humans don't take care of their children?

동물도 제 새끼를 위하거든 하물며 사람이 제 자식을 돌보지 않는다는 게 말이 되나?

We've already studied the usage of 거든 or 거든요 as sentence ending in our previous lesson. Below we'll be looking at some examples of 거든 being used as sentence ending.

A/V/N – 거든(요) - As sentence ending

3. A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought of.

1. I'll have a little dinner. I just ate a slice of bread.

저녁은 조금만 먹을래. 방금 빵을 하나 먹었거든.

2. I guess Min-jun is really sick. Otherwise, he won't come to school.

민준이가 많이 아픈가 봐. 그렇지 않으면 학교에 안 올 애가 아니거든요.

3. I bought a hat for my grandfather's birthday. My grandfather likes hats.

할아버지 생신 선물로 모자를 샀어. 할아버지께서 모자를 좋아하시거든요.

4. A sentence-final ending used when talking about the premise of the following content and implying that the story continues.

1. My father is coming back from a business trip tomorrow. I'm looking forward to what kind of gift he'll buy.

내일 아버지가 출장 갔다 돌아오시거든. 무슨 선물을 사 오실지 기대가 돼.

2. My mom told me not to go outside today. But I don't know if I can go out and play like this.

엄마가 오늘은 밖에 나가지 말라셨거든요. 그런데 이렇게 나가 놀아도 되는지 모르겠어요.

3. I went to the department store to buy clothes yesterday. But yesterday was the day of a special discount on clothing.

내가 어제 옷을 사러 백화점에 갔거든. 근데 어제가 의류를 특별 할인하는 날이더라고.

To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:

1. TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.

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Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.

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