Learning grammar is one of the most difficult things for Korean language learners. On this blog we will try to help you learn Korean grammar in the quickest and easiest way possible. This blog will be helpful for those who are studying Korean language and want to improve their grammar skills.
Today we’ll see how to form sentences with Korean grammar pattern " A/N/V-든지/았/었든지/(이)든지 "with some example sentences.
A/N/V-든지 / A/V-았/었든지 / N-(이)든지 is used to present two (or more) possible options without preference.
It is equivalent to saying “whether this or that” in English.
It is not used for stating future events, but rather for showing options, possibilities, or contrasts in general statements, habits, or past situations.
It can be used with adjectives, verbs, and nouns.
There are four ways to use this grammar :
- Adjective + 든지
- Verb + 든지 (Present)
- Verb + 았/었든지 (Past)
- Noun + (이)든지
Also check these useful Korean vocabulary resources:
1000 Most Common Korean Words – Must-Know Korean Vocabulary
200 Must-Know Korean Verbs For Rookie Learners
100 Must-Know Korean adjectives – How to conjugate and use them
Keeping in mind the above rule. Let's see some examples to understand it properly.
맵든지 짜든지 — whether (it’s) spicy or salty
비싸든지 싸든지 — whether (it’s) expensive or cheap
취소하든지 연기하든지 — whether (you) cancel or delay
잠을 자든지 안 자든지 — whether (you) sleep or not
가든지 말든지 — whether (you) go or not
아이든지 성인이든지 — whether child or adult
본인이든지 타인이든지- whether it’s you or someone else
Rule to conjugate :
In case 1 : Adjective + 든지
After removing 다 from the root verb, add ~든지 to the verb stem irrespective of whether it ends with a consonant or vowel.
Eg : 예쁘든지 / 귀엽든지
In case 2 : Verb + 든지 (Present)
After removing 다 from the root verb, add ~든지 to the verb stem irrespective of whether it ends with a consonant or vowel.
Eg: 먹든지 / 마시든지
In case 3 : Verb + 았/었든지 (Past)
After removing 다 from the root verb, add ~았/었든지 to the verb stem.
- Add ~았든지 after verb stem ending with 오 or 아
- Add ~었든지 after verb stem ending with anything other than 오 or 아
Eg: 먹었든지 / 갔든지
In case 4 : Noun + (이)든지
Add 이든지 when the noun ends with a consonant and 든지 when it ends with a vowel.
Eg: 밥이든지 / 커피든지
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
1) 이 옷 나한테 잘 어울려요? 예쁘든지 말든지 말해 봐요.
Does this dress suit me well? Tell me if it's pretty or not.
2) 이제 한국 음식은 맵든지 짜든지 모두 먹을 수 있어요.
I can now eat all kinds of Korean food, whether spicy or salty.
3) 먹어 본 적이 없어서 인도 음식이 짠지 아닌지 모르겠다.
I’ve never eaten Indian food, so I don’t know whether it’s salty or not..
4) 그게 싸든지 비싸든지 상관없어.
It doesn't matter if it's cheap or expensive.
5) 패럴림픽을 다시 연기하든지 취소해야 한다
Paralympics should be postponed or canceled again.
6) 파손돼서 물건을 돌려보내야 할 때는 저한테 전화하든지 문자하든지 하면 돼요.
If the item is damaged and needs to be returned, you can either call or text me.
7) 네가 가든지 말든지 나는 상관없어.
Whether you go or not, I don’t care.
8) 밥이든지 피자든지 빨리 골라요.
Choose rice or pizza quickly.
9) 점심시간에 사과든지 배든지 아무거나 가져오세요. 상관없어요.
Bring either apples or pears for lunch. Anything is fine. I don’t mind.
In the above examples, you can clearly see the usage with the Adjectives, nouns and verbs.
Related Korean grammar posts :
To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:
- 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.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions. Comment down below.
