-건
Whether, No Matter What
-건 is a shortened form of -거나 and is used to connect two contrasting verbs or adjectives. It indicates that regardless of which of the two actions or states occurs, the result mentioned in the following clause remains the same. It's often used in the form 'A건 B건'.
How It Works
-건 is a contraction of the grammar pattern -거나 (or). However, its usage is more specific and emphatic. It's used to present two contrasting or alternative actions or states, stressing that neither choice affects the result stated in the main clause. It carries the meaning of 'whether... or...' or 'no matter...'.
Usage:
It is most commonly used in the structure A건 B건, where A and B are contrasting verbs, adjectives, or nouns attached to 이다.
1. With Verbs/Adjectives: Attach -건 directly to the stem.
- 가다 (to go) + 오다 (to come) → 가건 오건 (whether you go or come)
- 좋다 (to be good) + 싫다 (to be bad/disliked) → 좋건 싫건 (whether you like it or not)
2. With Nouns: Attach -건 to the copula 이다. For nouns ending in a consonant, it becomes 'Noun+이건'. For nouns ending in a vowel, it becomes 'Noun+건'.
- 학생이다 (to be a student) → 학생이건
- 의사다 (to be a doctor) → 의사건
A very common construction is [Verb Stem]건 말건, which is a contraction of -거나 말거나. This means 'whether (someone) does it or not' and strongly expresses indifference.
- 하건 말건 (whether you do it or not)
- 보건 말건 (whether you watch it or not)
Comparison with similar patterns:
- -거나: This is a general 'or' for listing alternatives. '-건' is more emphatic and highlights the irrelevance of the choice.
- -든지: Very similar to '-건' ('no matter what'). '-든지' is often used with question words (e.g., 누구든지 - whoever), while '-건' is typically used to contrast two specific, stated options.
Examples (4)
- 비가 오건 눈이 오건, 내일 등산은 갈 거예요.
Whether it rains or snows, I'm going hiking tomorrow.
Word by Word: Rain comes or snow comes, tomorrow hiking is will go.
This sentence shows that the weather condition (rain or snow) is irrelevant to the decision to go hiking.
- 네가 가건 말건 나는 상관없어.
I don't care whether you go or not.
Word by Word: You go or not, I don't have relation.
This is a classic example of the '[Verb]건 말건' structure, expressing complete indifference to the other person's action.
- 음식이 짜건 싱겁건 그냥 먹어라.
Whether the food is salty or bland, just eat it.
Word by Word: Food is salty or is bland, just eat.
Here, -건 is attached to two contrasting adjectives (짜다 and 싱겁다) to show that the taste doesn't matter.
- 학생이건 선생님이건, 규칙은 모두에게 똑같이 적용됩니다.
Whether you are a student or a teacher, the rules apply equally to everyone.
Word by Word: Student is or teacher is, rules for everyone same are applied.
This example shows -건 used with nouns via the copula 이다. It indicates that one's status (student or teacher) does not change the fact that the rules apply.
Common Mistakes
Using -건 for a simple list of choices where irrelevance is not implied.
Not Quite주말에 영화를 보건 책을 읽어요.Better주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요.-건 implies that the choice doesn't matter for a subsequent result. For simply listing alternative activities ('I watch movies OR read books'), the general connector -거나 is the correct choice.
Attaching -건 directly to a noun without the copula 이다.
Not Quite한국 사람이건 외국 사람, 모두 환영합니다.Better한국 사람이건 외국 사람이건, 모두 환영합니다.-건 attaches to verb or adjective stems. To use it with nouns, you must first attach the copula 이다. The form becomes 'noun + 이건' for nouns ending in a consonant (e.g., 학생이건) and 'noun + 건' for nouns ending in a vowel (e.g., 의사건).
Learn This First
To express indifference to alternatives, you need alternative pattern knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -든지No Matter What/who/how, Etc.
Both -든지 and -건 mean 'no matter what/which'. They are often interchangeable. However, '-든지' is frequently used with question words (누구든지, 무엇이든지), while '-건' is typically used to contrast two specific, stated options in an 'A건 B건' format.
- -거나 말거나Whether or Not
-거나 말거나 is a fixed expression meaning 'whether one does (the action) or not'. '-건 말건' is its direct contraction and carries the same strong nuance of indifference.
- -더라도Even if, Although
-더라도 means 'even if' and presents a concessive condition. It's similar to -건 in that the condition doesn't change the main outcome, but '-더라도' focuses on a single hypothetical situation ('even if A happens...'), while '-건' presents a choice between two alternatives ('whether A or B happens...').