-커녕
Let Alone
-커녕 means 'let alone' or 'far from'. It's used to say that even a basic thing isn't possible, so a bigger thing is definitely not possible.
How It Works
The pattern -커녕 is a powerful way to express 'let alone' or 'far from'. It's used to contrast two things, emphasizing that if a simpler, more expected thing (A) is not possible, then a more complex or less expected thing (B) is certainly not possible.
1. Structure
It attaches directly to a noun. The choice between -은커녕 and -는커녕 depends on the final sound of the noun:
- -는커녕 is used after a noun ending in a vowel.
(e.g., 휴가 → 휴가는커녕) - -은커녕 is used after a noun ending in a consonant.
(e.g., 밥 → 밥은커녕)
2. Usage in Sentences
The most common sentence structure is:
A + -은/는커녕 + B + [Negative Verb]
Often, the particle -도 (even) is added to the second noun (B) to strengthen the meaning.
- Example: 아침은커녕 물도 못 마셨어요. (Let alone breakfast, I couldn't even drink water.)
Here, drinking water (B) is simpler than eating breakfast (A). The sentence emphasizes the speaker's extreme lack of time or opportunity.
3. Usage with Verbs
To use -커녕 with a verb, you must first turn the verb into a noun using the -기 nominalizer. This creates the form -기는커녕.
- Example: 쉬다 (to rest) → 쉬기는커녕 (Let alone resting...)
Examples (4)
- 밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨어요.
Let alone a meal, I couldn't even drink water.
Word by Word: Meal let alone water also could not drink.
- 휴가는커녕 주말에도 일해야 해요.
Let alone a vacation, I have to work even on weekends.
Word by Word: Vacation let alone weekend also have to work.
- 돕기는커녕 방해만 됐어요.
Far from helping, I only became a hindrance.
Here, -커녕 is attached to the nominalized verb 돕다 (to help) using -기, forming 돕기는커녕.
- 그는 영어는커녕 한국어도 잘 못해요.
Far from English, he's not even good at Korean.
-커녕 sets up a negative contrast: he can't even do the easier thing (Korean), let alone the harder one (English). For 'not only A but also B', use 뿐만 아니라 instead.
Common Mistakes
Attaching -커녕 directly to a verb stem instead of a noun or nominalized verb.
Not Quite잠을 자다커녕 눈도 못 붙였어요.Better잠을 자기는커녕 눈도 못 붙였어요.-커녕 must be attached to a noun. To use it with a verb like 자다 (to sleep), you must first change it into a noun form using the nominalizer -기, resulting in 자기는커녕.
Using an illogical combination of positive and negative clauses.
Different Meaning숙제는커녕 TV를 봤어요.Better숙제는커녕 잠도 못 잤어요.The standard use of -커녕 sets up a negative expectation. The incorrect sentence 'Let alone homework, I watched TV' is illogical. The correct sentence creates a logical negative comparison: 'Let alone homework, I couldn't even sleep.'
Related Patterns
- -도Also, Too, Even
The particle -도 (even, also) is frequently used in the clause following -커녕 to emphasize the negative statement. For example, '밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨다' (Let alone a meal, I couldn't even drink water).
- -기Nominalizer
The nominalizer -기 is used to turn a verb into a noun so that -커녕 can be attached. This forms '-기는커녕', allowing the pattern to be used with actions, not just nouns.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 뿐만 아니라Not Only... but Also
This means 'not only... but also...' and is used for adding positive information. It's a good pattern to contrast with -커녕, which is primarily used for adding negative information.
- Negation patterns
Understanding negation patterns like 안, 못, and -지 않다 is crucial because the clause following -커녕 is almost always negative.