‘-기는커녕’ is a common Korean grammar pattern in Korean used to show that something did not happen at all, or that the opposite occurred. It is often used in everyday conversation and writing to express contrast between what was expected and what actually happened.
In this guide, you will learn how to use ‘-기는커녕’ correctly, including its different forms with verbs, adjectives, and nouns, common usage patterns, and practical examples for real-life situations.
Contents
1. What Is ‘-기는커녕’? — Meaning & Core Use
(1) Core Meaning of ‘-기는커녕’
‘-기는커녕’ is used to express “not even” or “far from.” It emphasizes that something did not happen, or that the opposite occurred. This grammar pattern often contrasts expectation vs. reality, highlighting situations that are completely different from what was anticipated.
It can be attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns (for nouns, use 은/는커녕) to show strong negation or contrast.
2) English Equivalents of ‘-기는커녕’
Common English equivalents include:
- not even
- far from
- let alone
These expressions emphasize that not only did something not happen, but something worse or opposite occurred.
3) How Native Speakers Use ‘-기는커녕’ in Real Life
Native speakers use ‘-기는커녕’ to strongly contrast two actions or states—Action A did not happen, and Action B is often the opposite or more extreme.
Examples:
- You planned to study → not only did you not study, you only played games.
- You expected to rest → far from resting, you ended up working all night.
Additional Notes:
- When attaching to nouns, use 은커녕 if the noun ends with a consonant, and 는커녕 if it ends with a vowel.
- It can be combined with particles like 도 or 조차 for stronger emphasis (“not even,” “let alone”).
- Sometimes it appears with contrary phrases like 오히려 (rather/on the contrary) to indicate that the opposite happened instead.
- The phrase is typically written together without spaces as ‘-기는커녕’.
This grammar is mainly used in negative or contrasting contexts to clearly emphasize situations that are opposite or worse than expected.
2. How to Form ‘-기는커녕’ in Korean – Verbs, Adjectives, and Nouns
1. Using ‘-기는커녕’ with Verbs
Attach ‘-기는커녕’ directly to the verb stem without any changes. This shows strong contrast or negation.
Examples of Verbs
- 닫다 (to close) → 닫기는커녕 (Far from closing)
- 사다 (to buy) → 사기는커녕 (Far from buying)
- 가다 (to go) → 가기는커녕 (Far from going)
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽기는커녕 (Far from reading)
- 운동하다 (to exercise) → 운동하기는커녕 (Far from exercising)
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하기는커녕 (Far from studying)
2. Using ‘-기는커녕’ with Adjectives
Attach ‘-기는커녕’ directly to the adjective stem. This emphasizes that a condition or quality is far from reality.
Examples of Adjectives
- 크다 (big) → 크기는커녕 (Far from being big)
- 작다 (small) → 작기는커녕 (Far from being small)
- 빠르다 (fast) → 빠르기는커녕 (Far from being fast)
- 늦다 (late) → 늦기는커녕 (Far from being late)
3. Using ‘-기는커녕’ with Nouns
Attach ‘-(이)기는커녕’ after a noun with the copula ‘이다’. Add ‘-이’ if the noun ends with a consonant.
Examples of Nouns
- 학생이기는커녕 (Not even a student)
- 사장님이기는커녕 (Far from being a boss)
- 의사이기는커녕 (Far from being a doctor)
- 친구이기는커녕 (Not even a friend)
- 전문가이기는커녕 (Far from being an expert)
4. Notes for Correct Usage
- Verbs and adjectives: attach ‘-기는커녕’ to show strong contrast or negation.
- Nouns: use ‘-(이)기는커녕’ (add ‘-이’ if the noun ends in a consonant).
- Sometimes ‘-는커녕’ is used with nouns depending on context.
- This structure is mainly used in negative or contrasting situations to clearly highlight that reality is opposite or worse than expected.
3. Meaning and Usage of ‘-기는커녕’ in Korean
(1) Expressing Extreme Contrast or Opposite Situation
‘-기는커녕’ highlights that the expected action did not happen at all, and the opposite occurred. This is commonly used in everyday conversation to show strong contrast.
Examples with Verbs
- 시험 공부는커녕 게임만 했어요.
(Far from studying for the exam, I only played games.) - 다이어트는커녕 케이크를 두 개나 먹었어요.
(Not even dieting, I ate two cakes.) - 일찍 일어나기는커녕 늦잠을 잤어요.
(Far from waking up early, I overslept.) - 돈을 모으기는커녕 다 써 버렸어요.
(Far from saving money, I spent it all.) - 청소하기는커녕 방이 더 지저분해졌어요.
(Far from cleaning, the room got messier.)
Examples with Nouns
- 학생이기는커녕 아무 준비도 안 했어요.
(Far from being a student, I didn’t prepare anything.) - 사장이기는커녕 직원도 아니에요.
(Not even the boss, I’m not even an employee.) - 전문가이기는커녕 잘 몰라요.
(Far from being an expert, I don’t know much.) - 리더이기는커녕 오히려 혼란을 부추겼어요.
(Far from being a leader, they caused more confusion.) - 승리자이기는커녕 예선에서 탈락했어요.
(Far from being a winner, I was eliminated in the preliminaries.)
2. Indicating Strong Denial or Refusal
‘-기는커녕’ can express emphatic refusal, denial, disappointment, or criticism.
Examples
- 그 일을 하기는커녕 듣는 것도 싫어요.
(Far from doing that job, I don’t even want to hear about it.) - 책임을 지기는커녕 변명만 해요.
(Far from taking responsibility, he only makes excuses.) - 사과하기는커녕 더 화를 내요.
(Far from apologizing, they get angrier.) - 이해하기는커녕 혼란만 더해요.
(Far from understanding, it just adds confusion.) - 나를 돕기는커녕 방해만 해요.
(Far from helping me, they just interfere.) - 책임자이기는커녕 발뺌만 해요.
(Far from being responsible, they just avoid it.) - 전문가이기는커녕 잘 몰라요.
(Far from being an expert, I don’t know much.)
3. Emphasizing a Worse Condition Than Expected
This usage shows that a situation is worse than expected or hoped.
Examples
- 집에 가기는커녕 길에서 잠들었어요.
(Far from going home, I fell asleep on the street.) - 쉬기는커녕 더 많은 일을 해야 했어요.
(Far from resting, I had to do more work.) - 웃기는커녕 울고 있어요.
(Far from laughing, I’m crying.) - 좋아지기는커녕 상태가 악화됐어요.
(Far from improving, it got worse.) - 기억하기는커녕 완전히 잊었어요.
(Far from remembering, I completely forgot.) - 리더이기는커녕 오히려 혼란을 부추겼어요.
(Far from being a leader, they caused more confusion.) - 승리자이기는커녕 예선에서 탈락했어요.
(Far from being a winner, I was eliminated in the preliminaries.)
4. Key Points to Remember About ‘-기는커녕’
(1) Shows Extreme Contrast or Opposite Expectation
- Indicates that the expected action did not happen, and sometimes something worse or opposite occurred.
(2) Attaches to Verbs, Adjectives, and Nouns
- Verbs & adjectives: attach directly to the stem.
- Nouns: attach ‘-(이)기는커녕’ with ‘이다’. Add ‘-이’ if the noun ends with a consonant.
(3) Commonly Used in Negative or Surprising Situations
- Often emphasizes disappointment, denial, or unexpected outcomes.
(4) Tense Is Shown in the Following Clause Only
- ‘-기는커녕’ itself does not change; tense applies to the rest of the sentence.
5. Practice Exercises — Use ‘-기는커녕’ in Context
(1) Fill-in-the-Blank Practice (10 Sentences)
Complete each blank with the correct form of ‘-기는커녕’:.
- 시험 공부를 ___ 게임만 했어요.
(Far from studying for the exam, I only played games.) - 방을 ___ 그대로 두었어요.
(Far from cleaning the room, I left it as it was.) - 편지를 ___ 그냥 읽기만 했어요.
(Far from writing the letter, I just read it.) - 운동을 ___ 텔레비전만 봤어요.
(Far from exercising, I just watched TV.) - 요리를 ___ 배달 음식을 시켰어요.
(Far from cooking, I ordered delivery.) - 방이 ___ 더럽기만 했어요.
(Far from being clean, the room was just dirty.) - 날씨가 ___ 비가 계속 왔어요.
(Far from being nice, it kept raining.) - 숙제를 ___ 친구랑 놀기만 했어요.
(Far from doing homework, I just played with my friend.) - 책을 ___ 화면만 바라봤어요.
(Far from reading a book, I just stared at the screen.) - 그림을 ___ 방 청소를 했어요.
(Far from drawing, I cleaned the room.)
(2) Answers to Practice Exercises
- 하기는커녕
- 청소하기는커녕
- 쓰기는커녕
- 하기는커녕
- 하기는커녕
- 깨끗하기는커녕
- 좋기는커녕
- 하기는커녕
- 읽기는커녕
- 그리기는커녕
6. Common Mistakes and Tips When Using ‘-기는커녕’ in Korean
⚠️ Mistake 1 — Using Only ‘-지 않다’
Incorrect: 공부하지 않기는커녕 게임만 했어요 ❌
Correct: 공부하기는커녕 게임만 했어요 ✅
(Far from studying, I only played games.)
💡 Tip:
- Avoid combining with another negative like ‘-지 않다’.
- ‘-기는커녕’ emphasizes strong contrast without needing double negatives.
⚠️ Mistake 2 — Attaching to the Wrong Noun Form
Incorrect: 친구는커녕 하는 것만 했어요 ❌
Correct: 친구이기는커녕 하는 것만 했어요 ✅
(Far from being a friend, I only did what I wanted.)
💡 Tip
- Use ‘-(이)기는커녕’ after nouns with the copula ‘이다’.
- Add ‘-이’ if the noun ends in a consonant.
⚠️Mistake 3 — Using with Positive Expectations
Incorrect: 쉬기는커녕 휴식을 취했어요 ❌
Correct: 쉬기는커녕 더 많은 일을 했어요 ✅
(Far from resting, I did even more work.)
💡 Tip
- ‘-기는커녕’ emphasizes negative or opposite outcomes, not positive ones.
‘-기는커녕’ is a powerful way to emphasize contrast, disappointment, or a reversed expectation in Korean. By mastering this pattern, you’ll sound more natural and expressive when describing situations that didn’t go as planned. It’s an essential grammar pattern for intermediate learners who want to move beyond literal expressions and sound more fluent.