-던지 말던지
Whether or Not
-든지 말든지 is the standard pattern to express that the speaker doesn't care whether an action is performed or not. The form -던지 말던지 is a very common colloquial variation.
How It Works
This pattern is a powerful way to express indifference towards another person's actions or a potential situation. It effectively says, 'That choice has no bearing on me or my plans.' Standard vs. Colloquial Form: According to the National Institute of Korean Language, -든지 말든지 is the prescriptively correct form for expressing a choice. The confusion arises because of the retrospective particle -더-, which creates the form '-던지'. However, for expressing choices or indifference ('A or B'), '-든지' is the correct particle. Despite this, '-던지 말던지' is used so widely in speech that learners must be able to recognize it, though it's best to use '-든지 말든지' in writing and formal situations. Structure: It's formed by attaching -든지 말든지 directly to the verb stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 가든지 말든지 (whether you go or not)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹든지 말든지 (whether you eat or not)
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하든지 말든지 (whether you study or not)
Usage Nuances: 1. Expressing Indifference: This is the most common use. The speaker makes it clear that the outcome of the action is irrelevant to them. • 네가 오든지 말든지 나는 상관없어. (I don't care whether you come or not.) 2. Giving a Choice (often with annoyance): It can be used to tell someone to do whatever they want, sometimes with a slightly dismissive or annoyed tone. • 울든지 말든지 마음대로 해. (Cry or don't, do as you please.)
Examples (4)
- 네가 오던지 말던지 나는 파티에 갈 거야.
Whether you come or not, I'm going to the party.
Word by Word: You come or not, I to the party will go.
This example uses the colloquial form -던지 말던지, which is very common in spoken Korean. The standard, grammatically correct form is '오든지 말든지'.
- 공부를 하든지 말든지 마음대로 해라.
Whether you study or not, do as you please.
Word by Word: Studying do or not, as you please do.
- 그 사람이 사과를 하든지 말든지 저는 이제 신경 안 써요.
Whether that person apologizes or not, I don't care anymore.
Word by Word: That person apologizes or not, I now don't mind.
- 비가 오든지 말든지 등산은 예정대로 진행됩니다.
Whether it rains or not, the hike will proceed as scheduled.
Word by Word: Rain comes or not, the hike as scheduled will proceed.
This shows that an external event (rain) is irrelevant to the planned activity. This example uses the standard form.
Common Mistakes
Using -든지 말든지 for one's own indecision.
Not Quite영화를 보든지 말든지 고민 중이에요.Better영화를 볼까 말까 고민 중이에요.-든지 말든지 expresses indifference towards another's action or a situation. For your own internal debate or indecision ('Should I do X or not?'), you must use -ㄹ까 말까.
Confusing it with the general choice particle -든지.
Not Quite사과든지 배든지 말든지 다 좋아요.Better사과든지 배든지 다 좋아요.-든지 말든지 is a fixed phrase for a single action ('do it or not'). To list different options or choices (like 'apples or pears'), use -든지 after each item.
Learn This First
To express indifference 'whether or not', you need retrospective forms and similar patterns.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ까 말까Whether to or Not
This is a contrasting pattern. Use -ㄹ까 말까 for your own indecision ('Should I do it or not?'). Use -든지 말든지 to express indifference about someone else's action.
- -든지No Matter What/who/how, Etc.
-든지 말든지 is a specific, fixed expression derived from this general choice particle. -든지 can list any number of alternatives, while -든지 말든지 presents a single action and its negation.
- -더-Past Observation Marker
The retrospective marker -더- forms '-던지' (e.g., 얼마나 춥던지 - it was so cold!). The phonetic similarity between '-던지' and '-든지' is the source of the common colloquial error of using '-던지 말던지' instead of the standard '-든지 말든지'.