EMPHASIS matters (pt. 1)

thekimchibear:

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 🙂

~ㄹ망정

pineapplegame:

There are two meanings to this grammar structure.

1) The first shows acknowledgement of the truth of the first phrase, but then contrasts it with the seemingly opposite fact in the second phrase. It can be translated as “Even though”, “it’s true that… but….”. It is often used with the adverb “비록” (although).

그녀는 비록 예쁠망정 함께 일하기는 힘들다.
It’s true that she’s pretty, but she’s difficult to work with.

내가 나이는 많을망정 마음은 청춘이야.
Even though I’m old, I’m young at heart.

2. It can also be used to illustrate the speaker’s determination to not do the action described in the second clause. It can be translated as “Even if I…, I wouldn’t…” or “I’d rather … than …”.

내가 굶어 죽을망정 그 사람 도움은 못 받겠다.
I’d rather starve to death than accept his help.

내가 고생할말정 다시는 그에게 부탁하지 않겠네.
Even if I was suffering, I wouldn’t ask him for a favour again.

Note: There is no space between ㄹ and 망정 because it’s a word ending and not a separate noun.

1. ~하는 데에 돈을 쓰다, ~하느라 돈을 쓰다 = To spend money ~ing

2. 전개가 느리다 = The story in a book/film etc. is slow (전개 = development)

3. use ~지만 or ~는데도 instead of ~는데 for ‘although’

4. ~밖에 못 했다 is more precise than ~만 했다

5. 보는 것이 좋았다 = I liked seeing something. 봐서 좋았다 = Seeing something made me happy. 보기 좋다 = something looks good/is pleasant to look at.

6. ~는 것만으로 instead of ~는 뿐으로.

~(이)나마 = At least, although, if only (choosing something although it’s not the best option)

(commonly used in

~(이)라서 / 아/어서 이/그나마 다행이다)

그나마 다행 아닌가 = That in itself is fortunate, is it not?
막연한 것이나마 = Vague though it was
작은 것이나마 = Although they were small

이것도 손쉬운 방법이나마 일상의 탈피니까 = This is an easy method, true enough, but it is an escape from everyday life
그들은 잠시나마 그녀를 크게 자랑스러워했다 = They were very proud of her, for a little while.

사고로 많이 안 다쳐서 그나마 불행 중 다행이군요 =

It’s fortunate that you weren’t badly hurt in the accident.

Noun

~에도 불구하고,

Verb ~는데도 불구하고 = despite, in spite of, although

(formal/official expression. just

~는데도 for less formal,불구하다 = to disregard, to not be deterred by)

경고에도 불구하고 전혀 달라진 것이 없어요 = Despite the warning, nothing has changed at all. (Less formal = 경고했는데도 전혀 달라진 게 없어요.)
이미 충분히 설명을 했는데도 불구하고 아직도 모르겠다고 합니다 = Despite having provided enough explanation, they say they still don’t get it.
그 용의자는 증거가 있는데도 불구하고 무죄로 풀려났습니다 = Although there was evidence, the suspect was declared innocent and was released.
정부의 노력에도 불구하고, 물가가 계속 상승하고 있습니다= Despite the government’s efforts, prices are on a constant rise.
숙면을 취했는데도 불구하고 계속 피곤하다면, 병원에 가 봐야 합니다 =If you are still tired despite having had a good night’s sleep, you need to go see a doctor.

(동사)~기는 (동사/하다), ~긴 = Contrast and emphasis
(명사)~(이)기는 하다, ~(이)긴 하다

가기는 갔/했어요 = I DID go (there) but…
가기는 갔는데, 일찍 왔어요 = I DID go there, but I came back early.

가기는 갈 거예요 = I WILL go, but …

보기는 봤는데 기억이 안 나요 = I DID see it, but I don’t remember.

어제 친구를 만나기는 했는데, 금방 헤어졌어요 = I DID meet a friend yesterday, but we parted soon.

시간 맞춰서 도착하기는 했는데, 준비를 못 했어요 = I DID manage to get there on time, but I couldn’t prepare.
읽기는 읽었는데 이해가 안 돼요 = I DID read it, but I don’t understand it.
좋기는 좋은데, 너무 비싸요 = It IS good, but it’s too expensive.
맛있기는 맛있는데, 좀 짜요 = It IS delicious, but it’s a bit salty
전통 무술이기는 하지만 잘 몰라요 = It is a traditional martial art, but I don’t know it well.
좋은 선물이기는 하지만 저는 못 받겠어요. = Although it is a nice gift, I cannot accept it.
사랑 이야기긴 한데 판타지적 요소가 있어서 재미있다 = It is love story but it has fantasy elements too so it’s fun.