이라도Korean particle · TOPIK 4
irado
One particle with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A postpositional particle used to indicate that it is not the best option but the most acceptable among many options.
그것이 최선은 아니나 여럿 중에서는 그런대로 괜찮음을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사나 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
배고픈데 오면서 라면이라도 사다 줄래?
I'm hungry—could you pick up some ramen or something on your way?
나는 그를 우연이라도 한 번 더 만나 보고 싶다.
I want to see him one more time, even if it's just by chance.
영화배우 김 씨는 악역이라도 비중이 큰 배역을 맡고 싶었다.
Actor Kim wanted a role with a big part, even if it was a villain.
대화In conversation
요새 휴대폰은 정말 빨리 발전하는 것 같아.
Phones these days really seem to be advancing so fast.
맞아. 누가 전화로 인터넷을 할 거라고 상상이라도 했겠어?
Right. Who would have even imagined that you could use the internet on a phone?
A postpositional particle used when it is similar to other cases.
다른 경우들과 마찬가지임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사나 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
나는 우리 딸을 위해서는 어떤 일이라도 할 수 있다.
I can do anything for my daughter.
어느 대통령이라도 지금의 위기는 해결하기 어려울 것이다.
Any president would find it hard to resolve the current crisis.
처음에는 작은 거짓말이라도 하다 보면 눈덩이처럼 불어나게 마련이다.
If you start with even a small lie, it's bound to snowball.
대화In conversation
생일인데 갖고 싶은 거 없니?
It's your birthday—is there anything you want?
네가 주는 선물이라면 무엇이라도 상관없어.
Anything you give me is fine.
A postpositional particle used when being attached to a word that expresses time or amount, and intending to emphasize its meaning.
시간이나 수량을 나타내는 말에 붙어 그 의미를 강조할 때 쓰는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사나 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
마음만 먹으면 내일이라도 떠날 수 있다.
If I made up my mind, I could leave even tomorrow.
건강 관리는 한 살이라도 어릴 때 시작해야 한다.
You should start taking care of your health when you're young, even if it's just a year earlier.
내 편지가 조금이라도 너에게 위로가 되었으면 좋겠다.
I hope my letter brings you even a little comfort.
대화In conversation
하늘에 정말 별이 많다.
There really are so many stars in the sky.
응. 금방이라도 쏟아질 것만 같아.
Yeah. It looks like they could fall at any moment.
A postpositional particle used when explaining something by giving an example of a similar thing.
유사한 것을 예로 들어 설명할 때 쓰는 조사.
쓰임Usage
주로 ‘-이라도 ∼ 듯’, ‘-이라도 ∼는 것처럼’으로 쓴다.
예문Examples
승규는 대단한 결심이라도 한 사람처럼 보였다.
Seunggyu looked like a man who had made some great resolution.
라이벌 팀을 누른 우리는 우승이라도 한 것처럼 기뻐했다.
Having beaten our rival team, we were overjoyed as if we had won the championship.
두 사람은 길을 따라 천천히 걷다가 마치 약속이라도 한 듯 동시에 멈춰 섰다.
The two walked slowly along the road, then stopped at the same time as if they had made a pact.
대화In conversation
지수는 왜 저렇게 혼자 웃어?
Why is Jisu laughing alone like that?
몰라. 실성이라도 한 사람 같아.
I don't know. She looks like she's lost her mind.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 이라도 mean in Korean?
이라도 is a particle introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). A postpositional particle used to indicate that it is not the best option but the most acceptable among many options. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 이라도?
Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant. The other shape is 라도 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 이라도 and 라도?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same particle, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is 이라도?
4급 — TOPIK 4, upper 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.