-거든
If, When (Casual)
-거든 is a conversational connector used in two main ways: as a conditional ('if' or 'when') or to provide a reason or background information ('because' or 'you see...').
ਇਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ
-거든 is a versatile ending primarily used in spoken Korean. Its meaning is heavily dependent on its position and the type of sentence that follows.
1. Conditional Usage (If/When)
This usage connects two clauses, where the first clause with -거든 sets a condition for the second. It's a stronger, more certain condition than -(으)면.
- Structure: [Verb/Adjective Stem] + -거든, [Command / Suggestion / Promise]
- Key Point: The second clause is almost never a simple declarative statement about a fact or habit. It must be a command, suggestion, proposal, or a statement of the speaker's intention.
- Example: 도착하거든 전화해. (When you arrive, call me.) - This is a command.
- Example: 바쁘지 않거든 좀 도와줘. (If you're not busy, please help me a bit.) - This is a request.
2. Reason/Background Usage (Because/You see...)
This usage appears at the end of a sentence to provide context or a reason for what was just said or what is happening. It's often used to answer a 'why' question, either stated or implied.
- Structure: [Sentence explaining a situation]. [Sentence ending in -거든].
- Key Point: It adds a nuance that the speaker is letting the listener in on some information. It's very conversational.
- Example: A: 왜 이렇게 기분이 좋아 보여요? (Why do you look so happy?)
B: 오늘 월급날이거든. (It's because today is payday, you see.)
Tense and Form:
- It attaches directly to the stem regardless of a final vowel or consonant: 먹다 → 먹거든, 가다 → 가거든, 좋다 → 좋거든.
- It can be used with the past tense marker -았/었-: 숙제를 다 했거든 놀러 가. (If you've finished your homework, go play.)
- It attaches to 이다 as 이거든/아니거든.
ਉਦਾਹਰਣਾਂ (5)
- 한국에 도착하거든 바로 전화해 주세요.
When you arrive in Korea, please call me right away.
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ: To Korea arrive-if right away call please give.
This shows the conditional usage of -거든. The condition is 'arriving in Korea', and it is followed by a command/request 'please call me'.
- A: 왜 이렇게 서둘러요?
B: 곧 기차가 출발하거든.
A: Why are you in such a hurry? B: Because the train is about to depart.
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ: A: Why like this hurry? B: Soon train departs-because.
This shows the reason/background usage. B explains the reason for hurrying. The -거든 ending implies "The reason is..." or "You see, the train is leaving."
- 그 책을 다 읽었거든 저 좀 빌려주세요.
If/When you've finished reading that book, please lend it to me.
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ: That book all read-if I a little please lend.
This example uses the past tense marker -었- with -거든 to set a condition based on a completed action.
- 시간이 괜찮거든 우리 저녁이나 같이 먹자.
If you have time, let's have dinner or something together.
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ: Time is okay-if we dinner or something together let's eat.
Here, -거든 is attached to an adjective (괜찮다) and is followed by a suggestion (-자).
- A: 이 옷 정말 예쁘네요!
B: 어제 세일해서 샀거든.
A: These clothes are really pretty! B: (That's because) I bought them on sale yesterday.
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ: A: This clothes really pretty! B: Yesterday sale-so bought-because.
B is providing the background information for why they have these new, pretty clothes. It's a conversational way to explain the situation.
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀਆਂ
Using -거든 for general truths or facts instead of -(으)면.
물이 100도가 되거든 끓어요.물이 100도가 되면 끓어요.-거든 is used for specific conditions, usually followed by a command or suggestion. For general, scientific facts like 'water boils at 100 degrees', you must use the general conditional -(으)면.
Following the conditional -거든 with a simple descriptive statement instead of a command or suggestion.
퇴근하거든 차가 많이 막혔어요.퇴근하니까 차가 많이 막혔어요.The conditional -거든 sets up an expectation for a command, suggestion, or will (e.g., '퇴근하거든 전화해' - 'When you get off work, call me'). It cannot be followed by a simple past-tense observation. To state a reason or sequence, -(으)니까 or -고 would be more appropriate.
ਇਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਜੁੜਦਾ ਹੈ
ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਇਹ ਸਿੱਖੋ
ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਪੈਟਰਨ
- -(으)니까So, Because
Both can express a reason. -(으)니까 is a standard reason connector. The 'reason' usage of -거든 is more conversational, used at the end of a sentence to provide background information that the listener might not know.
ਪੱਧਰ 3 - -잖아You know, ... right?
Both are conversational sentence endings that provide information. -거든 introduces a reason or new information ('You see...'). -잖아 confirms information the speaker thinks the listener already knows ('...you know').
ਪੱਧਰ 3 - -자마자As soon as
While conditional -거든 can mean 'when', -자마자 specifically means 'as soon as' and emphasizes the immediacy of the following action. '도착하거든' means 'when you arrive (at some point)', while '도착하자마자' means 'the very moment you arrive'.
ਪੱਧਰ 4