-더라도
Even if, Although
-더라도 means 'even if' or 'although'. It signifies that the result in the second clause will happen regardless of the condition in the first clause.
How It Works
The grammar pattern -더라도 is a powerful way to express concession, similar to 'even if' or 'although' in English. It's used to state that the action or state in the main clause will happen regardless of the condition presented in the first clause.
How to Use:
It attaches directly to the stem of verbs, adjectives, and nouns (with 이다).
- Verb Stem + -더라도 (e.g., 가다 → 가더라도, 먹다 → 먹더라도)
- Adjective Stem + -더라도 (e.g., 춥다 → 춥더라도, 바쁘다 → 바쁘더라도)
- Noun + -(이)더라도
- Noun ending in a consonant + -이더라도 (e.g., 학생 → 학생이더라도)
- Noun ending in a vowel + -더라도 (e.g., 의사 → 의사더라도)
Past Tense:
You can use the past tense infix -았/었- before -더라도 to indicate that the condition is in the past.
- 봤더라도 (even if I saw it)
- 했더라도 (even if I did it)
Comparison with Similar Patterns:
Understanding the nuance compared to other patterns is key for advanced learners.
- -더라도 vs. -아/어도: Both mean 'even if'. However, -더라도 is typically used for situations that are more hypothetical, less likely to happen, or more extreme. -아/어도 is used more broadly for general or actual situations. For example, '비가 와도 갈 거예요' (Even if it rains, I'll go) is very common. '비가 오더라도 갈 거예요' has a slightly stronger nuance, emphasizing the speaker's determination despite the rain.
- -더라도 vs. -지만: -지만 ('but') connects two contrasting facts. -더라도 connects a condition to an outcome that is unaffected by it. For example, '바쁘지만 행복해요' (I'm busy, but I'm happy) states two facts. '바쁘더라도 행복해요' (Even if I'm busy, I'm happy) implies that being busy does not prevent the state of being happy.
- -더라도 vs. -ㄴ/는데: -ㄴ/는데 provides background information and can imply a soft contrast, but it lacks the strong concessive meaning of 'regardless of' that -더라도 has.
This pattern is very useful for expressing strong will, determination, or an unchanging truth in the face of potential obstacles.
Examples (5)
- 내일 비가 오더라도 약속은 취소하지 않을 거예요.
Even if it rains tomorrow, I will not cancel our plans.
Word by Word: Tomorrow rain comes-even if promise-TOPIC cancel-will not do.
- 아무리 힘들더라도 포기하면 안 돼요.
No matter how hard it is, you shouldn't give up.
Word by Word: No matter how difficult-even if giving up-if do not allowed.
- 그 영화를 이미 봤더라도 한 번 더 같이 봐요.
Even though you've already seen that movie, let's watch it together one more time.
Word by Word: That movie already saw-even if one time more together let's watch.
Here, the past tense marker -았/었- is used before -더라도 to show the condition (seeing the movie) happened in the past.
- 결과가 좋지 않더라도 최선을 다했다는 것이 중요해요.
Even if the result isn't good, what's important is that you did your best.
Word by Word: Result-SUBJECT good not-even if best-ACC did-that thing-SUBJECT is important.
- 그 사람이 제 동생이더라도 잘못한 것은 혼내야 해요.
Even if that person is my younger brother, I have to scold him for what he did wrong.
Word by Word: That person my younger brother-is-even if wrong thing-TOPIC scold-must do.
Common Mistakes
Using -더라도 for simple, common situations where -아/어도 is more natural.
Different Meaning지금 바쁘더라도 5분만 시간 좀 내주세요.Better지금 바빠도 5분만 시간 좀 내주세요.While grammatically possible, -더라도 sounds a bit too dramatic for a simple request like this. -아/어도 is more common and natural for everyday situations. -더라도 is better reserved for more hypothetical or extreme conditions.
Confusing the concessive meaning of -더라도 with the simple contrast of -지만.
Not Quite저는 키가 작더라도 제 동생은 키가 커요.Better저는 키가 작지만 제 동생은 키가 커요.-더라도 implies that the first clause doesn't affect the second ('Even if I am short...'). This doesn't make sense here. -지만 is used to simply state two contrasting facts: 'I am short, but my younger sibling is tall.'
Learn This First
To express stronger contrast 'even if/although', you need concessive pattern knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -지만But
-지만 means 'but' and connects two contrasting facts. -더라도 connects a condition (often hypothetical) to an outcome that happens regardless of that condition. It's about concession, not just contrast.
- -ㄴ/는데Background Info, But
-ㄴ/는데 provides background information that can lead to a contrast, but it's much softer and less emphatic than -더라도. It doesn't carry the strong 'regardless of' meaning.
- -(으)ㄴ들Even if, What if
-ㄴ들 is another concessive pattern meaning 'even if', but it's more literary and often used in rhetorical questions to express that something is futile or won't make a difference. It's less common in everyday speech than -더라도.