-라도
At Least, Even if
-라도 is used to select the 'next best thing' when your first choice isn't available.
How It Works
The particle -(이)라도 is attached to nouns and carries the meaning of choosing a second-best option or settling for something that isn't ideal, but is better than nothing. It's a very common way to show flexibility or make suggestions.
Main Usages of -(이)라도:
1. The Second-Best Choice
This is the most common use. When your preferred option (A) is not available, you choose the next best thing (B).
- 커피가 없네요. 그럼 녹차라도 주세요. (There's no coffee. Then please give me green tea, at least.)
- 버스를 놓쳤어요. 지하철이라도 타야겠어요. (I missed the bus. I guess I'll have to take the subway at least.)
2. With Question Words (누구, 뭐, 어디, 언제)
When combined with question words, it means 'any' or 'even'. It implies that any option is acceptable.
- 누구라도 괜찮아요. (Anyone is fine.)
- 뭐라도 마실 것 좀 주세요. (Please give me something, anything, to drink.)
- 주말에는 어디라도 가고 싶어요. (On the weekend, I want to go anywhere.)
3. Making a Suggestion
It can be used to gently suggest an activity when there are no other plans.
- 할 일이 없으면 우리 영화라도 볼까요? (If we have nothing to do, shall we watch a movie or something?)
- 이야기라도 좀 해요. 너무 조용하잖아요. (Let's at least talk a bit. It's too quiet.)
How to Use:
The form is -(이)라도. Attach -이라도 after a noun ending in a consonant, and -라도 after a noun ending in a vowel.
- Noun ending in a consonant + 이라도
책 → 책이라도
물 → 물이라도 - Noun ending in a vowel + 라도
주스 → 주스라도
영화 → 영화라도
It is different from -도, which means 'also' or 'in addition', and -만, which means 'only'.
Examples (5)
- 주스가 없으면 물이라도 마실게요.
If there's no juice, I'll drink water at least.
Word by Word: Juice if there isn't, water at least will drink.
- 너무 배고파서 뭐라도 먹어야겠어요.
I'm so hungry, I need to eat something (anything).
Word by Word: Too hungry so, something at least must eat.
When used with a question word like 뭐 (what), -라도 creates the meaning 'anything at all'.
- 심심한데 책이라도 읽을까요?
I'm bored, shall we at least read a book?
Word by Word: Bored but, book at least shall read?
- 파티에 못 오면 전화라도 해 주세요.
If you can't come to the party, at least give me a call.
Word by Word: To the party cannot come if, phone call at least please do for me.
Here, -라도 is attached to the noun '전화' (call), suggesting it as a lesser but acceptable alternative to coming to the party.
- 어디라도 좋으니까 여행 가고 싶어요.
I don't care where, I just want to go on a trip.
Word by Word: Anywhere at least is good so, trip want to go.
Common Mistakes
Using -라도 when you mean 'also' or 'in addition'.
Not Quite저는 사과를 좋아해요. 그리고 배라도 좋아해요.Better저는 사과를 좋아해요. 그리고 배도 좋아해요.-라도 implies a second-best or alternative choice. To simply add another item to a list, use -도 (also, too).
Using -라도 for your first or best choice.
Not Quite제일 좋아하는 음식이 뭐예요? — 저는 피자라도 제일 좋아해요.Better제일 좋아하는 음식이 뭐예요? — 저는 피자를 제일 좋아해요.-라도 is used for alternatives when the preferred option isn't available or relevant. When stating your favorite thing, you don't need a particle or you would use the object marker 을/를.
Learn This First
To express 'at least/even if', you need understanding of the additive particle 도.
Related Patterns
- -나 (선택)Or, About
In suggestions, -라도 and -나 can be similar (e.g., 영화라도 볼까? vs. 영화나 볼까?). However, -라도 often implies there's nothing better to do, while -나 feels more like a casual 'or something'.
- -든지No Matter What/who/how, Etc.
Both can be used with question words (e.g., 누구라도, 누구든지). -든지 strongly emphasizes that any choice is equally fine without exception, while -라도 can sometimes retain a slight nuance of 'even if it's just anyone'.
- -밖에Only, Except
-라도 presents an available option, even if it's not the best one. In contrast, -밖에 is used with a negative verb to mean 'only' or 'nothing but', emphasizing a lack of other options (e.g., 물밖에 없어요 - There is nothing but water).