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-거든Korean connective · TOPIK 3

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TOPIK 3 3급Connectives 연결 어미condition 조건2 senses

One connective with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-거든거들랑

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

A connective ending used to convey the meaning, "if something is true or turns out to be true."

'어떤 일이 사실이거나 사실로 실현되면'의 뜻을 나타내는 연결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, 아니다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.

‘이다’, '아니다', 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

아이가 아프거든 빨리 병원에 데리고 가세요.

If the child is sick, take him to the hospital right away.

먹어 보고 맛있거든 우리도 그 집 쌀을 사 먹어야겠어요.

If you try it and it's tasty, we should buy rice from that place too.

시험 날짜가 정해지거든 시험 때까지 같이 도서관에서 공부하자.

Once the exam date is set, let's study together at the library until the exam.

대화In conversation

공항에 도착하거든 전화해라.

Call me when you arrive at the airport.

네. 걱정하지 마세요.

Okay, don't worry.

A connective ending used to indicate that the following statement is obviously true by citing the preceding statement as an example.

앞에 오는 말을 예로 들어 뒤의 내용이 당연히 사실임을 나타내는 연결 어미.

쓰임Usage

흔히 뒤에 의문문이 온다.

예문Examples

어린아이도 알고 있는 예절이거든 성인이야 두말할 필요가 없다.

Since even a child knows this etiquette, there's no need to say more about adults.

부모도 자식을 말리지 못했거든 친구가 어떻게 마음을 돌릴 수 있었겠어?

Since even the parents couldn't stop their child, how could a friend have changed their mind?

동물도 제 새끼를 위하거든 하물며 사람이 제 자식을 돌보지 않는다는 게 말이 되나?

Since even animals care for their young, how could it make sense for a person not to take care of their own child?

대화In conversation

학생이라면 공부하는 것이 당연한 일이거든 너희는 학생이 아니냐?

Since it's only natural for a student to study, aren't you a student?

학생이라고 일 년 내내 공부만 해야 되는 것은 아니지 않습니까?

But doesn't being a student mean you don't have to study all year round?

관련 문법Related grammar

Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.

-느라고 -neurago -느라 A connective ending used when the action of the preceding statement is the purpose or cause of the following statement. TOPIK 3 -는다거나 -neundageona -ㄴ다거나 · -다거나 · -라거나 An expression used to explain something by listing some behaviors as examples. TOPIK 3 -는다고 -neundago -다고 · -라고 · -으라고 A connective ending used when implying the purpose or intention of a certain action, or the reason or cause of a certain situation. TOPIK 3 -다가 -daga -다 · 다가도 A connective ending used when an action or state, etc., is stopped and changed to another action or state. TOPIK 3 -도록 -dorok A connective ending used when the preceding statement is the purpose, result, method, amount, etc., of something mentioned in the following statement. TOPIK 3 -어다가 -eodaga -아다가 · -여다가 · -어다 A connective ending used when one does a certain act and does the following act based on the result of the preceding one. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -거든 mean in Korean?

-거든 is a connective introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A connective ending used to convey the meaning, "if something is true or turns out to be true." It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -거든?

Attaches after the copula 이다, 아니다, verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-. The other shape is 거들랑 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -거든 and 거들랑?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -거든?

3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.