In Korean it’s generally very easy to tell where the sentence is going depending on the words they’re started with. Some words can elaborate the entire upcoming sentence, and help emphasize the message. In Korean these words are known as 문장 부사어 (sentence adverbs).
Let’s check some out,
과연 – indeed, really, sure enough. (also used to emphasize a question)
과연 듣던대로 잘 생기셨습니다.
Like I was told, you really do look handsome.
과연 이번 대통령은 누가 될까?
Who will REALLY become our president this time?설마 – No way / I couldn’t believe it (surprised statement or emphasizes a negative question [shows doubt])
설마했는데 설렁탕에 땅콩이 들어갈 줄이야.
I couldn’t believe it, but there were peanuts in the ox bone soup.
설마 내일 야외 결혼식에 비가 오지는 않겠지?
No way it’s gonna rain tomorrow during the outside wedding… right?만일 – if (similar to 만약)
만일 평생 한가지 음식만 먹어야 한다면, 뭐 먹을 거야?
If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would you eat?설령 – even if, even though (negative)
설령 지금부터 24시간 공부한다고해도 내일 시험은 망한거 같아.
Even if I study for 24 hours straight from now, it seems like I’m gonna fail the test tomorrow.설사 – even if, even though (negative)
내일 경기에서 이길 가능성이 설사 적더라도 최선을 다해 보자.
Even if we have the smallest possibility to win our match tomorrow, let’s try our best.비록 – even though, although
비록 내가 가진건 몸뚱아리 하나지만 나중에 꼭 부자가 될거다.
Even if the only thing I own at the moment is my body, I’m definitely gonna be rich later on.A lot of these words don’t have one exact translation, so it’s important to understand how and why they’re used. So make sure to study multiple examples rather than the direct translations.
As always, stay tuned for more 🙂
EMPHASIS matters (pt. 1)
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Sutdy-Korean 