Want to express choices or possibilities in Korean? The grammar pattern ‘A/V든지, N이든지’ is essential for saying ‘whether A or B’ or ‘no matter what’ in various situations. This guide breaks down its meaning, structure, and practical usage with clear examples and exercises to help you master it easily.
Contents
1. Definition
The ‘-든지’ ending in Korean is equivalent to “whether,” “no matter what,” or “regardless of” in English. It’s used to indicate that something is true or will happen regardless of the conditions or choices mentioned.
2. Form (Structure)
The ‘-든지’ ending can be attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Here’s how to form it:
- For verbs: Verb stem + -든지
- For adjectives: Adjective stem + -든지
- For nouns: Noun + 이든지 (after consonants) or 든지 (after vowels)
Here’s a table to help you understand the structure better:
| Part of Speech | Structure | Example |
| Verb | Verb stem + -든지 | 가든지 (whether [someone] goes) |
| Adjective | Adjective stem + -든지 | 좋든지 (whether [it’s] good) |
| Noun | Noun + 이든지/든지 | 학생이든지 (whether [someone] is a student) 사과든지 (whether [it’s] an apple) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing Choices or Alternatives
This structure is commonly used to present two or more alternatives, giving the listener or reader the freedom to choose.
Pattern: A-든지 B-든지 (Whether A or B)
Examples:
- 점심으로 김밥을 먹든지 라면을 먹든지 네가 정해.
(Whether you eat kimbap or ramen for lunch, you decide.) - 나는 주말에 집에서 쉬든지 친구를 만나든지 할 거야.
(On the weekend, I will either rest at home or meet a friend.) - 버스를 타든지 지하철을 타든지 빨리 가야 해요.
(Whether you take the bus or subway, you need to go quickly.) - 커피를 마시든지 차를 마시든지 상관없어요.
(It doesn’t matter whether I drink coffee or tea.) - 도서관에서 공부하든지 카페에서 공부하든지 네가 편한 곳에서 해.
(Study in the library or in a café, whichever is comfortable for you.)
2. Expressing Indifference (No Preference)
This pattern can be used to indicate that either option is acceptable or that it does not make a difference.
Pattern: A-든지 B-든지 상관없다 / 아무렇지 않다 (It doesn’t matter whether A or B)
Examples:
- 네가 오든지 안 오든지 나는 신경 쓰지 않아.
(I don’t care whether you come or not.) - 날씨가 춥든지 덥든지 나는 매일 운동해.
(Whether it’s cold or hot, I exercise every day.) - 한국에서 살든지 외국에서 살든지 중요한 것은 행복이야.
(Whether you live in Korea or abroad, the important thing is happiness.) - 이 책이 어렵든지 쉽든지 끝까지 읽을 거야.
(Whether this book is difficult or easy, I will finish reading it.) - 내가 밥을 먹든지 안 먹든지 걱정하지 마세요.
(Don’t worry about whether I eat or not.)
3. Expressing Uncertainty or Unknown Outcomes
This usage indicates uncertainty, emphasizing that the speaker does not know which option will happen.
Pattern: A-든지 B-든지 아직 모른다 / 결정되지 않았다 (It is not yet known or decided whether A or B)
Examples:
- 내일 비가 오든지 안 오든지 아직 몰라요.
(I don’t know yet whether it will rain tomorrow or not.) - 그 사람이 오든지 안 오든지 우리는 회의를 시작할 거예요.
(Whether that person comes or not, we will start the meeting.) - 시험이 어렵든지 쉽든지 미리 준비해야 해요.
(Whether the test is difficult or easy, you need to prepare in advance.) - 네가 가든지 안 가든지 결정해 줘.
(Decide whether you are going or not.) - 이번 프로젝트가 성공하든지 실패하든지 최선을 다할 거야.
(Whether this project succeeds or fails, I will do my best.)
4. Expressing Conditions Without Affecting the Result
This structure is often used to show that no matter which condition occurs, the main statement remains the same.
Pattern: A-든지 B-든지 관계없이 / 변함없이 (Regardless of whether A or B)
Examples:
- 남자이든지 여자이든지 누구나 지원할 수 있습니다.
(Whether you are male or female, anyone can apply.) - 부자가 되든지 가난하게 살든지 중요한 것은 행복이다.
(Whether you become rich or live poorly, the important thing is happiness.) - 그가 화가 나든지 기쁘든지 나는 내 할 일을 할 거야.
(Whether he is angry or happy, I will do my work.) - 우리가 먼저 도착하든지 늦게 도착하든지 발표는 시작될 거예요.
(Whether we arrive early or late, the presentation will start.) - 이 제품이 비싸든지 싸든지 품질이 중요해요.
(Whether this product is expensive or cheap, the quality is important.)
5. Making a Strong Statement or Emphasizing a Point
This usage is common when emphasizing that an action will be taken regardless of conditions.
Pattern: A-든지 B-든지 반드시 / 꼭 / 무조건 (No matter what, A or B will happen)
Examples:
- 비가 오든지 눈이 오든지 나는 매일 출근할 거예요.
(Whether it rains or snows, I will go to work every day.) - 너가 반대하든지 찬성하든지 나는 내 결정을 바꾸지 않을 거야.
(Whether you oppose or agree, I won’t change my decision.) - 수업이 어렵든지 쉽든지 반드시 참석해야 합니다.
(Whether the class is difficult or easy, you must attend.) - 네가 공부하든지 안 하든지 시험은 정해진 날에 본다.
(Whether you study or not, the test will be on the scheduled date.) - 이번 대회에서 우승하든지 못 하든지 우리는 최선을 다할 거야.
(Whether we win this competition or not, we will do our best.)
4. Key Points to Remember:
- ‘-든지’ can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- It often appears in pairs to present two contrasting options.
- The ending implies that the result or action is not affected by the conditions mentioned.
- It can be used to express indifference or lack of preference.
5. Practice Exercises
Complete the following sentences using the ‘-든지’ ending. Choose the appropriate word from the options provided.
- 비가 (오다/그치다) ________ ________ 우산을 가져가세요.
(Bring an umbrella whether it rains or stops.) - 그 영화가 (재미있다/지루하다) ________ ________ 끝까지 볼 거예요.
(I’ll watch the movie until the end whether it’s interesting or boring.) - (사과/배) ________ ________ 과일을 사오세요.
(Buy fruit, whether they’re apples or pears.) - 그 사람이 (오다/안 오다) ________ ________ 회의를 시작하겠습니다.
(We’ll start the meeting whether that person comes or not.) - 날씨가 (춥다/덥다) ________ ________ 운동을 할 거예요.
(I’ll exercise whether it’s cold or hot.) - 이 음식이 (맵다/안 맵다) ________ ________ 먹어보세요.
(Try this food whether it’s spicy or not.) - 그녀가 (찬성하다/반대하다) ________ ________ 계획을 진행할 거예요.
(We’ll proceed with the plan whether she agrees or disagrees.) - 시험 결과가 (좋다/나쁘다) ________ ________ 포기하지 마세요.
(Don’t give up whether your test results are good or bad.) - 그 책이 (두껍다/얇다) ________ ________ 다 읽을 거예요.
(I’ll read the entire book whether it’s thick or thin.) - 그 사람이 (유명하다/평범하다) ________ ________ 공정하게 대해야 합니다.
(We should treat that person fairly whether they’re famous or ordinary.)
6. Answers
- 오든지 그치든지
- 재미있든지 지루하든지
- 사과든지 배든지
- 오든지 안 오든지
- 춥든지 덥든지
- 맵든지 안 맵든지
- 찬성하든지 반대하든지
- 좋든지 나쁘든지
- 두껍든지 얇든지
- 유명하든지 평범하든지
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-든지’ with only one option instead of two
Incorrect: 비가 오든지 우산을 가져가세요. ❌ (Bring an umbrella whether it rains.)
Correct: 비가 오든지 안 오든지 우산을 가져가세요. ✅ (Bring an umbrella whether it rains or not.)
💡 Tip: Always present two contrasting options when using ‘-든지’ to emphasize the lack of influence on the outcome.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Placing ‘-든지’ after the entire phrase instead of directly after each option
Incorrect: 가든지 학교에 버스로 지하철로. ❌ (Whether go to school by bus or subway.)
Correct: 학교에 버스로 가든지 지하철로 가든지 상관없어요. ✅ (It doesn’t matter whether you go to school by bus or subway.)
💡 Tip: Attach ‘-든지’ directly to the verb, adjective, or noun it modifies.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-든지’ in formal situations where more formal alternatives are appropriate
Incorrect: 회의 참석자 여러분, 이 안건에 동의하든지 반대하든지 의견을 말씀해 주십시오. ❌
(Meeting attendees, please state your opinion whether you agree or disagree with this agenda.)
Correct: 회의 참석자 여러분, 이 안건에 대한 찬성 여부와 관계없이 의견을 개진해 주시기 바랍니다. ✅ (Meeting attendees, we kindly request that you express your opinions regardless of whether you are in favor of this agenda or not.)
💡 Tip: In formal contexts, use more formal expressions like ‘-와/과 관계없이’ (regardless of) or ‘-을/를 막론하고’ (irrespective of) instead of ‘-든지’.
Mastering the ‘-든지’ ending is a key step in advancing your Korean language skills. This versatile grammar pattern allows you to express choices and indifference in various situations. By using ‘-든지’ correctly in pairs, attaching it to the right parts of speech, and being mindful of formal contexts, you’ll communicate more naturally and effectively in Korean. With practice, you’ll soon find yourself using ‘-든지’ with confidence in your everyday conversations.