Example Sentences#

1. 지금 답 없어도 괜찮아¹
   It’s okay if you don’t have an answer right now

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • -어도 is a connective ending that acknowledges or assumes the truth of the preceding statement while implying that it does not affect or influence the following statement. It is often translated as ‘even if’ or ‘although.’

2. 가끔 어두운 부분도 있지만, 그래도 희망적인 부분이 있어서 좋았어.²
   Although there were some dark parts at times, I still liked that there were hopeful parts.

   • 그래도 is a conjunction meaning ‘nevertheless’, ‘even so’, or ‘still’. It’s used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or makes a concession despite what was previously said. It’s derived from 그렇다 (to be so) and the conjunctive ending -어도, which expresses concession or contrast, implying ‘even if’ or ‘although’.

3. 비가 와도 우산은 필요 없어³
   Even if it rains, I don’t need an umbrella

   • 오다 means ‘to come’.
   • -아도 is a connective ending that acknowledges or assumes the truth of the preceding statement while implying that it does not affect or influence the following statement. It is often translated as ‘even if’ or ‘although.’

4. 나조차 나를 용서 못해도⁴
   Even if I can’t forgive myself.

   • 못하다 means ‘to be unable to do something’ or ‘to do something poorly’, formed from 못 (meaning ‘cannot’ or ‘poorly’) and 하다 (to do).
   • -여도 is a connective ending that acknowledges or assumes the truth of the preceding statement while implying that it does not affect or influence the following statement. It is often translated as ‘even if’ or ‘although.’

5. 더 이상 묻지 않아도 괜찮아¹
   It’s okay if you don’t ask anymore

   • 않다 is an auxiliary verb that makes the clause negative.
   • -아도 is a connective ending that acknowledges or assumes the truth of the preceding statement while implying that it does not affect or influence the following statement. It is often translated as ‘even if’ or ‘although.’