The Korean grammar pattern -(으)ㄴ/는데도 불구하고 is used to show contrast or unexpected results. This guide explains its meaning, usage, and examples, helping you use it naturally in both spoken and written Korean. Learn how to express situations that happen despite certain conditions like a native speaker.
Contents
1. Definition
-(으)ㄴ/는데도 불구하고 is used to indicate that a result or situation occurs despite a preceding condition. It emphasizes contrast or an unexpected outcome.
English equivalents: “even though,” “despite,” “although”
This grammar is ideal for expressing situations where the second clause contradicts or is unexpected given the first clause.
2. Form (Structure)
Verbs
- Present tense: -는데도 불구하고
- 열심히 운동하는데도 불구하고 살이 빠지지 않아요.
(Even though I exercise hard, I’m not losing weight.)
- 열심히 운동하는데도 불구하고 살이 빠지지 않아요.
- Past tense: -았/었는데도 불구하고
- 늦게 잤는데도 불구하고 아침에 일찍 일어났어요.
(Even though I slept late, I woke up early in the morning.)
- 늦게 잤는데도 불구하고 아침에 일찍 일어났어요.
Verb Conjugation Rules
- Vowel-ending stem → add -는데도 불구하고
- Consonant-ending stem → add -는데도 불구하고
- ㄹ-ending stem → drop ㄹ, then add -는데도 불구하고
Adjectives
- Present: -(으)ㄴ데도 불구하고
- 음식이 매운데도 불구하고 맛있게 먹었어요.
(Even though the food is spicy, I ate it deliciously.)
- 음식이 매운데도 불구하고 맛있게 먹었어요.
- Past: -았/었는데도 불구하고
- 날씨가 더웠는데도 불구하고 긴 옷을 입었어요.
(Even though the weather was hot, I wore long clothes.)
- 날씨가 더웠는데도 불구하고 긴 옷을 입었어요.
Nouns + 이다
- Present: -인데도 불구하고 → Noun + 임에도 불구하고 (more formal/grammatically correct)
- 학생임에도 불구하고 밤늦게까지 일해요.
(Despite being a student, I work late at night.)
- 학생임에도 불구하고 밤늦게까지 일해요.
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Highlighting Contrast
Used when the second clause presents a result directly opposing the first.
Examples:
- 비가 오는데도 불구하고 외출했어요.
(Even though it was raining, I went out.) - 길이 막히는데도 불구하고 버스를 탔어요.
(Even though there was traffic, I took the bus.) - 돈이 부족한데도 불구하고 선물을 샀어요.
(Even though I lacked money, I bought a gift.) - 감기에 걸렸는데도 불구하고 출근했어요.
(Even though I caught a cold, I went to work.) - 몸이 아픈데도 불구하고 회의에 참석했어요.
(Even though I was sick, I attended the meeting.)
2. Emphasizing Determination
Shows that an action was carried out despite difficulties.
Examples:
- 경험이 부족한데도 불구하고 프로젝트를 맡았어요.
(Even though I lacked experience, I took charge of the project.) - 다리가 아픈데도 불구하고 마라톤에 참여했어요.
(Even though my leg hurt, I joined the marathon.) - 피곤한데도 불구하고 공부를 계속했어요.
(Even though I was tired, I kept studying.) - 학생인데도 불구하고 밤늦게까지 일해요.
(Even though I’m a student, I work late.) - 돈을 잃어버렸는데도 불구하고 여행을 계속했어요.
(Even though I lost money, I continued the trip.)
3. Formal Expressions in Writing
Frequently appears in reports, speeches, and essays.
Examples:
- 계획이 변경됐는데도 불구하고 모두가 잘 적응했습니다.
(Even though the plans changed, everyone adapted well.) - 공연이 재미있었는데도 불구하고 사람들이 많이 오지 않았어요.
(Even though the performance was fun, not many people came.) - 비가 많이 왔는데도 불구하고 경기가 열렸습니다.
(Even though it rained a lot, the game was held.) - 경제가 어려운데도 불구하고 성장을 이어갔습니다.
(Even though the economy was difficult, growth continued.) - 문제가 복잡한데도 불구하고 해결책을 찾았습니다.
(Even though the problem was complex, a solution was found.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Expresses unexpected outcomes or contrast.
- Verb: -는데도 불구하고; Adjective: -(으)ㄴ데도 불구하고; Noun: -임에도 불구하고.
- More formal than -지만 or -아/어도.
- Common in written and formal contexts.
- Drop ㄹ before attaching the ending.
5. Practice Exercises
- 눈이 오다 → 눈이 _______________________ 출근했어요.
(Even though it was snowing, I went to work.) - 피곤하다 → _______________________ 운동했어요.
(Even though I was tired, I exercised.) - 배가 부르다 → 배가 _______________________ 더 먹었어요.
(Even though I was full, I ate more.)
- 감기에 걸리다 → 감기에 _______________________ 학교에 갔어요.
(Even though I had a cold, I went to school.) - 친구가 반대하다 → 친구가 _______________________ 계획을 진행했어요.
(Even though my friend opposed it, I went ahead with the plan.) - 길이 어둡다 → 길이 _______________________ 혼자 걸었어요.
(Even though the street was dark, I walked alone.)
- 날씨가 춥다 → 날씨가 _______________________ 바다에 갔어요.
(Even though the weather was cold, I went to the beach.) - 돈을 잃어버리다 → 돈을 _______________________ 여행을 계속했어요.
(Even though I lost my money, I continued my trip.) - 다리가 아프다 → 다리가 _______________________ 마라톤에 참가했어요.
(Even though my leg hurt, I participated in the marathon.) - 일이 많다 → 일이 _______________________ 가족과 시간을 보냈어요.
(Even though I had a lot of work, I spent time with my family.)
6. Answers
- 오는데도 불구하고
- 피곤한데고도 불구하고
- 배가 부른데도 불구하고
- 감기에 걸린데도 불구하고
- 반대하는데도 불구하고
- 어두운데도 불구하고
- 추운데도 불구하고
- 잃어버린데도 불구하고
- 아픈데도 불구하고
- 많은데도 불구하고
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Wrong tense with past events
Incorrect: 비가 오는데도 불구하고 경기했어요. ❌ (Even though it rains, the game was held.)
Correct: 비가 왔는데도 불구하고 경기가 열렸어요. ✅ (Even though it rained, the game was held.)
💡 Tip: Match past tense with -았/었는데도 불구하고
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using wrong form with nouns
Incorrect: 학생인데도 불구하고 늦게까지 일해요. ❌
Correct: 학생임에도 불구하고 늦게까지 일해요. ✅ (Despite being a student, I work late.)
💡 Tip: Use -임에도 불구하고 for nouns.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing in casual speech
Incorrect: 비가 왔는데도 불구하고 우리는 갔다. ❌
Correct: 비가 왔지만 우리는 갔다. ✅ (It rained, but we still went.)
💡 Tip: Reserve -(으)ㄴ/는데도 불구하고 for formal speech and writing.
The grammar -(으)ㄴ/는데도 불구하고 is a formal expression used to show contrast or unexpected results. It helps you sound more advanced in writing and speech, especially in essays, news, and presentations. By mastering it and using it alongside simpler alternatives like -지만, you can express nuanced thoughts naturally and fluently in Korean.