-건 말건
Whether or Not
-건 말건 means 'whether you do X or not, it doesn't matter'. It shows indifference. Ex: 네가 오건 말건 나는 갈 거야. (Whether you come or not, I'm going to go.)
How It Works
-건 말건 is used to express that the speaker is indifferent to a certain action or state, and that the result mentioned in the main clause will happen regardless. It's a shortened, more colloquial form of -거나 말거나.
How to use:
Attach -건 말건 directly to the stem of a verb or adjective.
- 가다 (to go) → 가건 말건 (whether one goes or not)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹건 말건 (whether one eats or not)
- 춥다 (to be cold) → 춥건 말건 (whether it's cold or not)
- 학생이다 (to be a student) → 학생이건 말건 (whether one is a student or not)
This pattern often conveys a strong sense of resolve or indifference. The speaker is essentially saying, "I don't care about this choice; my plan remains the same." Because of this nuance, it can sometimes sound blunt or dismissive depending on the context and tone.
For example:
네가 숙제를 하건 말건 나는 놀러 나갈 거야.
Whether you do your homework or not, I'm going out to play.
Here, the speaker's action (going out) is completely independent of the other person's choice about their homework.
Examples (5)
- 비가 오건 말건 우리는 계획대로 등산을 갈 거예요.
Whether it rains or not, we are going hiking as planned.
Word by Word: Rain comes or not, we according to the plan hiking will go.
- 네가 그 영화를 보건 말건 나는 상관없어. 나는 이미 표를 샀거든.
I don't care whether you watch that movie or not. I already bought a ticket.
Word by Word: You that movie watch or not, I don't care. I already a ticket bought.
- 음식이 맵건 말건 저는 뭐든지 다 잘 먹어요.
Whether the food is spicy or not, I eat everything well.
Word by Word: Food is spicy or not, I whatever all well eat.
- 부모님이 허락하시건 말건 저는 그 사람과 결혼할 거예요.
Whether my parents permit it or not, I'm going to marry that person.
Word by Word: Parents permit or not, I that person with will marry.
- 학생이건 말건 도서관에서는 조용히 해야 합니다.
Whether you are a student or not, you must be quiet in the library.
With nouns, the pattern attaches to 이다, becoming 'Noun + 이건 말건'.
Common Mistakes
Using it for past events that have already been decided.
Different Meaning어제 네가 파티에 왔건 말건 나는 즐거웠어.Better내일 네가 파티에 오건 말건 나는 즐거울 거야.-건 말건presents a choice or a hypothetical situation. It cannot be used for a past event where the outcome is already known. It's used to talk about present or future possibilities and their irrelevance to another action.Using it to present a simple choice for someone else to make.
Not Quite커피건 말건 마실래요?Better커피나 주스 마실래요?-건 말건is not used to offer someone a choice like 'A or B'. It's used to state that the choice between 'A or not A' is irrelevant to the speaker or the situation. To offer a choice, use particles like-나(or) or the grammar pattern-거나.
Learn This First
To express indifference 'whether or not', you need conjugation and similar patterns.
Related Patterns
- -든지No Matter What/who/how, Etc.
Both express 'whether or not'. However,
-든지is broader and can be used with question words (누구든지 - whoever, 언제든지 - whenever). When used as 'Verb-든지 말든지', it is very similar to-건 말건, expressing indifference to a choice. - -더라도Even if, Although
Both patterns introduce a condition that doesn't affect the main clause. However,
-더라도means 'even if' and concedes a single point (e.g., 'Even if it rains...'), while-건 말건presents two opposite options ('Whether it rains or not...') and dismisses both as irrelevant. - -나 마나Whether or Not, Pointless
Both can express a sense of futility. However,
-나 마나means 'it's pointless to do X' because the result will be the same (e.g.,가나 마나 늦었어- There's no point in going, we're late anyway).-건 말건focuses on the speaker's indifference to the choice itself (가건 말건 상관없어- I don't care whether you go or not).