Understanding how to express contrast correctly in Korean is essential for sounding natural and fluent. In this post, we’ll explore the difference between two commonly confused grammar patterns: ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ and ‘-고도’. Both are used to show contrast or unexpected outcomes, but they are not interchangeable. Let’s break down their meanings, structures, and key usage points to help you use them with confidence.
Contents
1. Definition
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’: Means “even though” or “despite”. It emphasizes that the second clause happens or is true despite the condition in the first clause.
- ‘-고도’: Means “even after doing” or “despite having done”. It is used when the first clause has already occurred, but the second clause’s result is unexpected.
Both patterns express contrast, but differ in tense, nuance, and usage.
Meaning Comparison Table
| Feature | -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | -고도 |
| Meaning in English | Even though / Despite | Even after (doing something) |
| Function | Expresses contrast and concession | Expresses contrast after an action |
| When to Use | When something happens despite a condition | When something happens despite an action |
| Typical Context | Describing a situation that leads to an unexpected result | Showing that an expected result didn’t follow an action |
| Example | 비가 오는데도 나갔어요. (Even though it was raining, I went outside.) | 공부하고도 시험을 망쳤어요. (Even after studying, I failed the exam.) |
2. Form (Structure)
| Pattern | Usage with Verbs | Usage with Adjectives | Usage with Nouns |
| -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | V-는데도 | A-(으)ㄴ데도 | N-인데도 |
| -고도 | V-고도 | X | X |
Explanation:
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ is used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- ‘-고도’ is only used with verbs.
3. Meaning & Usage
Both ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ and ‘-고도’ are used to show unexpected results or contrasts. However, they differ in structure, timing, and nuance. Below are three key usage points with example sentences to help you understand when to use each pattern correctly.
1. Is the First Action Completed or Ongoing?
- Use ‘-고도’ when the first action is fully completed.
- Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ when the first clause describes an ongoing state, a general condition, or even a past state or situation.
‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’
- 날씨가 추운데도 사람들이 밖에 많이 있어요.
(Even though it’s cold, there are many people outside.) - 아픈데도 계속 일해요.
(Even though he is sick, he keeps working.) - 피곤한데도 늦게까지 공부해요.
(Even though I am tired, I study until late.) - 피곤했는데도 늦게까지 공부했어요.
(Even though I was tired, I studied until late.) - 돈이 없는데도 친구를 도왔어요.
(Even though I have no money, I helped my friend.)
‘-고도’
- 약을 먹고도 열이 안 내렸어요.
(Even after taking medicine, the fever didn’t go down.) - 충분히 자고도 피곤했어요.
(Even after sleeping enough, I felt tired.) - 저녁을 먹고도 배가 고팠어요.
(Even after eating dinner, I was still hungry.) - 공부하고도 시험에 떨어졌어요.
(Even after studying, I failed the exam.) - 설명하고도 이해하지 못했어요.
(Even after explaining, he didn’t understand.)
2. Type: State vs. Action
- Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ with verbs, adjectives, and nouns to describe states, conditions, or actions.
- Use ‘-고도’ with verbs only—especially action verbs.
‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’
- 비싼데도 사람들이 많이 사요.
(Even though it’s expensive, people buy it a lot.) - 조용한데도 잠이 안 와요.
(Even though it’s quiet, I can’t sleep.) - 기분이 나쁜데도 웃었어요.
(Even though I was in a bad mood, I smiled.) - 학생인데도 선생님처럼 행동해요.
(Even though he is a student, he acts like a teacher.) - 외국인인데도 한국어를 잘해요.
(Even though she is a foreigner, she speaks Korean well.)
‘-고도’
- 문을 열고도 인사하지 않았어요.
(Even after opening the door, he didn’t say hello.) - 문제를 다 풀고도 점수가 낮았어요.
(Even after solving all the questions, the score was low.) - 운동을 매일 하고도 체력이 나빠졌어요.
(Even after exercising every day, my stamina worsened.) - 약속을 하고도 오지 않았어요.
(Even after making a promise, he didn’t come.) - 사과하고도 용서를 받지 못했어요.
(Even after apologizing, I wasn’t forgiven.)
3. Tone: Neutral Contrast vs. Frustration/Surprise
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ often expresses frustration, surprise, or disbelief at the result.
- ‘-고도’ emphasizes the contrast after a deliberate, completed action, often with disappointment or irony.
‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’
- 그렇게 설명했는데도 못 알아들어요.
(Even though I explained it like that, he doesn’t get it.) - 기회를 줬는데도 실망만 줘요.
(Even though I gave him a chance, he only disappoints.) - 조심했는데도 깨졌어요.
(Even though I was careful, it still broke.) - 열심히 준비했는데도 결과가 나빴어요.
(Even though I prepared hard, the result was bad.) - 많이 먹었는데도 배가 고파요.
(Even though I ate a lot, I am still hungry.)
‘-고도’
- 사과하고도 반성하지 않아요.
(Even after apologizing, he shows no remorse.) - 돈을 벌고도 행복하지 않대요.
(Even after making money, he says he’s not happy.) - 회의에 참석하고도 아무 말도 안 했어요.
(Even after attending the meeting, he didn’t say a word.) - 열심히 일하고도 칭찬을 못 받았어요.
(Even after working hard, I didn’t get any praise.) - 청소하고도 방이 더러워요.
(Even after cleaning, the room is still dirty.)
4. Using ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ with Nouns
‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ can be used with nouns by attaching ‘-인데도’ after a noun ending in a vowel, or ‘-인데도’ after a noun ending in a consonant.
- 학생인데도 모두가 그를 존경해요.
(Even though he is a student, everyone respects him.) - 외국인인데도 한국어를 잘해요.
(Even though she is a foreigner, she speaks Korean well.)
5. Negative Result Emphasis with ‘-고도’
‘-고도’ is frequently used when the result clause is negative or unexpected, especially after a positive or expected action.
- 숙제를 하고도 선생님께 혼났어요.
(Even after doing my homework, I got scolded by the teacher.) - 연락을 하고도 답장이 없었어요.
(Even after contacting him, there was no reply.) - 음식을 만들고도 아무도 먹지 않았어요.
(Even after making food, nobody ate it.)
6. Summary Table: Key Differences
| Feature | -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | -고도 |
| Used With | Verb, Adjective, Noun | Verb only |
| Completion Required | No | Yes |
| Typical Result Clause | Any (positive or negative) | Usually negative or unexpected |
7. Nuance Summary
- ‘-고도’ is only used after a completed action (verb), and the result is usually unexpected or negative.
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns, and is more flexible in showing contrast, regardless of completion.
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ to talk about a situation that continues despite a known condition.
- Use ‘-고도’ to show a contrasting result after an action is completed.
- ‘-고도’ is not used with adjectives.
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns depending on the structure.
5. Practice Exercises
Choose the correct form: ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ or ‘-고도’
- 열심히 (준비했는데도 / 준비했고도) 발표를 망쳤어요.
(Even after preparing hard, I messed up the presentation.) - (피곤했는데도 / 피곤했고도) 계속 일했어요.
(Even though I was tired, I kept working.) - 운동을 매일 (했는데도 / 하고도) 살이 안 빠졌어요.
(Even after exercising daily, I didn’t lose weight.) - 약을 (먹었는데도 / 먹고도) 열이 안 내렸어요.
(Even after taking medicine, the fever didn’t go down.) - 설명을 잘 (들었는데도 / 듣고도) 이해를 못 했어요.
(Even after listening carefully, I couldn’t understand.) - 비가 많이 (왔는데도 / 오고도) 경기가 열렸어요.
(Even though it rained a lot, the game was held.) - 시험을 (봤는데도 / 보고도) 점수가 낮았어요.
(Even after taking the test, the score was low.) - 그 사람은 (아픈데도 / 아프고도) 병원에 가지 않았어요.
(Even though he was sick, he didn’t go to the hospital.) - 준비를 충분히 (했는데도 / 하고도) 실수를 했어요.
(Even after preparing enough, I still made a mistake.) - 그렇게 늦게 (잤는데도 / 자고도) 아침 일찍 일어났어요.
(Even though I went to bed so late, I woke up early.)
6. Answers
- 준비했고도
The preparation was completed, and the unexpected result followed.
(‘-고도’ is used after a completed action.) - 피곤했는데도
“Being tired” is a condition or state, not a completed action.
(Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ with adjectives or ongoing states.) - 하고도
Exercising was a completed action with an unexpected result.
(‘-고도’ fits completed verbs.) - 먹고도
Taking medicine is a completed action.
(Use ‘-고도’ with completed verbs for contrast.) - 듣고도
“Listening” happened before the failure to understand.
(Completed action + unexpected result → ‘-고도’) - 왔는데도
Heavy rain is a situation, not an action.
(‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ is used for conditions or circumstances.) - 보고도
Taking the test is a completed action; the result contrasts with the effort.
(‘-고도’ applies.) - 아픈데도
Being sick is a condition, not an action.
(Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ with adjectives or descriptive verbs.) - 하고도
Preparation was completed, yet a mistake occurred.
(Completed action → ‘-고도’) - 잤는데도
Going to bed late is treated as a background condition for the next clause.
(‘-았/었는데도’ is acceptable for describing contrast from a prior state.)
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-고도’ with adjectives
Incorrect: 피곤하고도 일을 했어요. ❌ (Even after being tired, I worked.)
Correct: 피곤한데도 일을 했어요. ✅ (Even though I was tired, I worked.)
💡 Tip: ‘-고도’ can only be used with verbs, not adjectives.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using the present tense verb before ‘-고도’
Incorrect: 공부하고도 시험을 망쳐요. ❌ (Even after studying, I fail the test.)
Correct: 공부하고도 시험을 망쳤어요. ✅ (Even after studying, I failed the test.)
💡 Tip: ‘-고도’ is usually used when the first action is already completed, so the second clause is most natural in the past tense. However, present tense can be used when describing habitual or repeated situations.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Mixing up contrast types
Incorrect: 아픈고도 병원에 안 갔어요. ❌ (Even though I was sick…)
Correct: 아픈데도 병원에 안 갔어요. ✅ (Even though I was sick, I didn’t go to the hospital.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ when describing a state or condition, not an action.
While both ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ and ‘-고도’ express contrast, they differ in their usage and nuance. ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데도’ is more flexible and is used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns, while ‘-고도’ strictly follows a completed action and often expresses unexpected results. Mastering the difference between these two patterns will help learners express subtle contrasts naturally in Korean.