A/V-거든 is a Korean grammar structure used to present a condition or assumption in the first clause, followed by a command, suggestion, or advice in the second clause. This structure is commonly used in spoken Korean and is essential for expressing conditional or situational recommendations naturally.
Contents
1. Definition
A/V-거든 is used when the speaker sets a condition or assumption in the first clause, followed by an imperative, suggestion, or advice in the second clause.
2. Form (Structure)
After verbs and adjectives:
- Verb/Adjective stem + 거든
The ‘-거든’ ending can be attached to both verbs and adjectives. Here’s how to form it:
| Type | Base Form | ‘-거든’ Form |
| Verb | 가다 | 가거든 (if you go) |
| Adjective | 예쁘다 | 예쁘거든 (if it’s pretty) |
| Noun | 학생이다 | 학생이거든 (if you are a student) |
3. Meaning & Usage
A/V-거든 is commonly used in casual conversations to give suggestions, recommendations, or orders based on a specific condition. Here are some key aspects of its usage:
1. Giving advice or instructions based on an assumed condition
- 시간이 없거든 나중에 이야기하자. (If you don’t have time, let’s talk later.)
- 피곤하거든 일찍 자. (If you’re tired, go to bed early.)
- 돈이 부족하거든 부모님께 말씀드려. (If you don’t have enough money, talk to your parents.)
- 날씨가 춥거든 따뜻한 옷을 입어. (If the weather is cold, wear warm clothes.)
- 길이 막히거든 지하철을 타. (If there’s traffic, take the subway.)
2. The second clause usually contains a command, request, suggestion, or advice
- 배고프거든 밥부터 먹어. (If you’re hungry, eat first.)
- 힘들거든 잠깐 쉬어 가. (If it’s too hard, take a break.)
- 더 필요하거든 나한테 말해. (If you need more, tell me.)
- 바쁘거든 다음에 만나자. (If you’re busy, let’s meet next time.)
- 기분이 안 좋거든 음악을 들어봐. (If you’re in a bad mood, try listening to music.)
3. It cannot be used when the second clause simply states a fact or past event
- Incorrect ❌: 비가 오거든 어제 우산을 썼어요. (If it rained, I used an umbrella yesterday.)
- Correct ✅: 비가 오거든 우산을 써. (If it rains, use an umbrella.)
- Incorrect ❌: 친구를 만나거든 어제 얘기했어. (If I met my friend, I talked yesterday.)
- Correct ✅: 친구를 만나거든 안부 전해줘. (If you meet your friend, say hi.)
- Incorrect ❌: 시간이 있거든 어제 공부했어요. (If I had time, I studied yesterday.)
- Correct ✅: 시간이 있거든 공부 좀 해. (If you have time, study a little.)
- Incorrect ❌: 시험이 끝나거든 벌써 놀았어요. (If the test was over, I already had fun.)
- Correct ✅: 시험이 끝나거든 같이 놀자. (If the test is over, let’s hang out.)
- Incorrect ❌: 여행을 가거든 작년에 사진을 찍었어. (If I went on a trip, I took photos last year.)
- Correct ✅: 여행을 가거든 사진 많이 찍어. (If you go on a trip, take lots of pictures.)
4. It is mostly used in informal speech
- 시험이 어렵거든 선생님께 질문해. (If the test is hard, ask the teacher.)
- 기회가 있거든 꼭 도전해 봐. (If you have a chance, definitely try it.)
- 외롭거든 친구들에게 연락해. (If you feel lonely, contact your friends.)
- 날씨가 좋거든 산책을 가자. (If the weather is nice, let’s go for a walk.)
- 몸이 안 좋거든 병원에 가 봐. (If you’re not feeling well, go to the hospital.)
5. It is different from “-면” (if) in that it often implies a natural flow in conversation
- -거든 usage:
- 맛있거든 더 먹어. (If it’s delicious, eat more.)
- 심심하거든 책을 읽어 봐. (If you’re bored, try reading a book.)
- 길이 막히거든 이 길로 가. (If there’s traffic, take this road.)
- 피곤하거든 잠깐 쉬어. (If you’re tired, take a short break.)
- 물이 차거든 조심해서 마셔. (If the water is cold, drink carefully.)
- -면 usage:
- 맛있으면 더 먹어. (If it’s delicious, eat more.)
- 심심하면 책을 읽어 봐. (If you’re bored, try reading a book.)
- 길이 막히면 이 길로 가. (If there’s traffic, take this road.)
- 피곤하면 잠깐 쉬어. (If you’re tired, take a short break.)
- 물이 차면 조심해서 마셔. (If the water is cold, drink carefully.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-거든’ is used for both present and future conditions.
- It’s often followed by a suggestion, advice, or command.
- The tone is generally softer and more natural than using ‘if’ statements.
- It can be used with both action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives).
- The ending can imply “since” or “given that” in some contexts.
5. Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these exercises:
- ___________________ 따뜻한 옷을 입어. (If the weather is cold, wear warm clothes.)
- ___________________ 먼저 해야 할 일을 정리해. (If you don’t have time, prioritize what you need to do first.)
- ___________________ 이 빵을 먹어도 돼. (If you’re hungry, you can eat this bread.)
- ___________________ 일찍 자는 게 좋아. (If you’re tired, it’s good to sleep early.)
- ___________________ 사전을 찾아봐. (If there is a word you don’t know, look it up in the dictionary.)
- ___________________ 지하철을 타는 게 빠를 거야. (If the road is crowded, taking the subway will be faster.)
- ___________________ 부모님께 도움을 요청해 봐. (If you’re short on money, try asking your parents for help.)
- ___________________ 약을 먹고 푹 쉬어. (If you catch a cold, take medicine and get plenty of rest.)
- ___________________ 안부 좀 전해 줘. (If you meet your friend, send my regards.)
- 이 가방이 ___________________ 바로 사는 게 좋을 거야. (If you like this bag, it’s better to buy it right away.)
6. Answers
- 날씨가 춥거든
- 시간이 없거든
- 배고프거든
- 피곤하거든
- 모르는 단어가 있거든
- 길이 막히거든
- 돈이 부족하거든
- 감기에 걸렸거든
- 만나거든
- 마음에 들거든
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
- The second clause must be an imperative or suggestive form, not a simple statement.
Incorrect: 날씨가 춥거든 따뜻한 옷을 입는다. ❌
Correct: 날씨가 춥거든 따뜻한 옷을 입어. ✅ - Use casual speech endings instead of formal written expressions.
Incorrect: 시험을 보거든 열심히 공부해야 한다. ❌
Correct: 시험을 보거든 열심히 공부해. ✅ - The second clause should be a suggestion or command, not a future intention.
Incorrect: 그 사람이 바쁘거든 나중에 다시 전화할 거예요. ❌
Correct: 그 사람이 바쁘거든 나중에 다시 전화해 . ✅ - Use present tense, not past tense, with ‘-거든’.
Incorrect: 내일 비가 왔거든 우산을 가져가세요. ❌
Correct: 내일 비가 오거든 우산을 가져가세요 .✅ - Focus on advising the listener, not expressing the speaker’s own intention.
Incorrect: 돈이 있거든 저축을 하겠습니다. ❌
Correct: 돈이 있거든 저축을 하세요. ✅
Mastering the ‘-거든’ ending is a significant step in your Korean language journey. This versatile grammar point allows you to express conditions and assumptions naturally, enhancing your ability to communicate in various situations. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the nuances in different contexts. With time and effort, you’ll find yourself using ‘-거든’ confidently in your Korean conversations.