Understanding ‘-기는 하지만’ in Korean is essential for learners who want to express contrasts naturally. This pattern lets you acknowledge one fact while introducing a different perspective. Mastering ‘-기는 하지만’ improves your Korean fluency and helps you communicate more clearly.
Contents
1. Definition
The grammar pattern ‘-기는 하지만’ is used to express contrast or concession. It acknowledges the truth of the first clause but introduces a differing viewpoint, situation, or additional information in the second clause. It is similar to the English phrases “although,” “but,” or “even though”.
2. Form (Structure)
The grammar pattern -기는 하지만 is attached directly to verb and adjective stems, while nouns always require 이다 plus -기는 하지만.
1. Verbs and Adjectives
- Attach -기는 하지만 directly to the stem.
- It can be used in different tenses:
- Present: -기는 하지만
- Past: -기는 했지만
- Future: -기는 하겠지만
Examples:
- 가다 → 가기는 하지만 (I go, but…)
- 먹다 → 먹기는 하지만 (I eat, but…)
- 덥다 → 덥기는 하지만 (It’s hot, but…)
- 갔기는 하지만 (I went, but…)
- 가기는 하겠지만 (I will go, but…)
2. Nouns
- Nouns take 이다 before attaching -기는 하지만.
- This rule applies to both vowel- and consonant-ending nouns.
Examples:
- 학생 → 학생이기는 하지만 (I’m a student, but…)
- 의사 → 의사이기는 하지만 (He is a doctor, but…)
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing Contrast
This pattern is used to acknowledge one aspect while introducing a contrasting idea.
- 음식이 맛있기는 하지만 비쌌어요.
(The food was delicious, but it was expensive.) - 영화가 길기는 했지만 재미있었어요.
(The movie was long, but it was interesting.) - 책이 두껍기는 하지만 읽을 만해요.
(The book is thick, but it’s worth reading.) - 공원이 예쁘기는 하지만 멀어요.
(The park is pretty, but it’s far.) - 일이 많기는 하지만 즐거워요.
(I have a lot of work, but I enjoy it.)
2. Expressing Concession
This pattern is used to concede a point while still adding a different perspective.
- 피곤하기는 하지만 운동해야 해요.
(I’m tired, but I need to exercise.) - 배고프기는 하지만 다이어트 중이에요.
(I’m hungry, but I’m on a diet.) - 시간이 없기는 하지만 가고 싶어요.
(I don’t really have time, but I want to go.) - 돈이 없기는 하지만 행복해요.
(I don’t have money, but I’m happy.) - 날씨가 좋기는 하지만 바람이 세요.
(The weather is nice, but the wind is strong.)
3. Expressing Soft Disagreement
This pattern can soften the tone when disagreeing or showing a different opinion.
- 그렇게 생각하기는 하지만 나는 다르게 봐요.
(I think so, but I see it differently.) - 그건 맞기는 하지만 다른 방법도 있어요.
(That’s correct, but there are other methods.) - 좋은 아이디어이기는 하지만 실행이 어려워요.
(It’s a good idea, but it’s hard to implement.) - 그렇게 말하기는 하지만 상황이 달라요.
(You say that, but the situation is different.) - 그건 사실이기는 하지만 더 알아봐야 해요.
- (That’s true, but we need to look into it more.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use -기는 하지만 to express contrast, concession, or soft disagreement.
- Attach -기는 하지만 to verb/adjective stems.
- Attach -이기는 하지만 to nouns, always (regardless of final consonant).
- In past tense, use -기는 했지만.
- In future tense, use -기는 하겠지만.
- Often shortened to -긴 하지만 in spoken Korean.
- Compared to -지만, this pattern emphasizes acknowledgment before showing contrast.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-기는 하지만’.
- 날씨가 (좋다) ________ 외출하고 싶지 않아요.
(The weather is nice, but I don’t want to go out.) - 일이 (많다) ________ 도와줄게요.
(I have a lot of work, but I’ll help you.) - 영화가 (재미있다) ________ 너무 길어요.
(The movie is interesting, but it’s too long.) - 음악이 (좋다) ________ 너무 시끄러워요.
(The music is good, but it’s too loud.) - 책이 (두껍다) ________ 읽을 가치가 있어요.
(The book is thick, but it’s worth reading.) - 공원이 (예쁘다) ________ 너무 멀어요.
(The park is pretty, but it’s too far.) - 피곤하다 (피곤하다) ________ 운동해야 해요.
(I’m tired, but I need to exercise.) - 배고프다 (배고프다) ________ 다이어트 중이에요.
(I’m hungry, but I’m on a diet.) - 시간이 (없다) ________ 가고 싶어요.
(I don’t really have time, but I want to go.) - 돈이 (없다) ________ 행복해요.
(I don’t have money, but I’m happy.)
6. Answers
- 좋기는 하지만
- 많기는 하지만
- 재미있기는 하지만
- 좋기는 하지만
- 두껍기는 하지만
- 예쁘기는 하지만
- 피곤하기는 하지만
- 배고프기는 하지만
- 없기는 하지만
- 없기는 하지만
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Incorrect or inconsistent tense usage
Incorrect: 가기는 했지만 가겠다. ❌ (I went, but I will go.)
Correct: 가기는 했지만 재미없었어요. ✅ (I went, but it was not fun.)
💡 Tip: Make sure each clause uses a logically consistent tense (past with past, future with future).
⚠️ Mistake 2: Omitting ‘-이’ with nouns ending in a consonant
Incorrect: 학생기는 하지만. ❌ (I am student, but…)
Correct: 학생이기는 하지만. ✅ (I am a student, but…)
💡 Tip: Always add -이 to nouns with final consonants.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing the pattern
Incorrect: 음식이 맛있기는 하지만 맛있기는 하지만. ❌ (The food is delicious, but it is delicious.)
Correct: 음식이 맛있기는 하지만 비쌌어요. ✅ (The food was delicious, but it was expensive.)
💡 Tip: Use this pattern to show contrast, not to repeat the same idea.
Mastering the -기는 하지만 grammar pattern is essential for expressing contrasts and concessions in Korean. It helps you present different viewpoints and add depth to conversations. Regular practice will improve your fluency and ability to communicate nuanced ideas.