[Korean grammar] -건만 Expressing Contrasts and Opposites

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가: 그 집 아들이 올해 몇살 이더라? 결혼할 때가 됐죠?
How old is your son this year? Isn’t he old enough to get married?
나: 아이고, 넘었죠. 내가 그렇게 눈을 낮추라고 얘기했건만 아직도 이상형이 어쩌고저쩌고하고 있어요.
Oh, he's beyond that age. Despite my telling him to lower his standard, he's still talking about how his ideal type is this and that.
가: 우리 달도 마찬가지예요. 빨리 결혼 좀 하면 좋겠건만 줄곧 멋있는 남자 타령만 하고 있다니까요.
My daughter is the same. Even though it'd be better if she got married sooner, she keeps talking about how she needs an attractive guy.
나: 그래요? 그럼 그 집 딸하고 우리 아들을 한번 만나 보게 하는 게 어때요?
Really? Then how about having my son and your daughter meet?

This expression is used when indicating that the content in the following clause is the opposite of the situation or result expected based on the content in the preceding clause.




• 햇살은 따뜻하건만 밖은 여전히 춥다.
Despite the warm sunlight, it’s still cold outside.

• 날마다 도서관에서 열심히 공부하건만 성적은 도무지 오르지 않는다.
Despite studying hard in the library every day, my grades just never get better.

• 좋아한다고 그렇게 눈치를 주었건만 진짜 모르는 건지 모르는 척하는 건지 그녀는 아무 반응이 없다.
I gave so many signals that I liked her. However, she hasn't shown any reaction (whatsoever). I don't know if she really didn't notice or if she's pretending not to have noticed.

>> You can click on the title of each grammar below to see other grammars which also express 'Contrasts and Opposites'

1. -건만
2. -고도
3. -(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고

>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Advanced': Click here
>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Intermediate': Click here

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