커녕Korean particle · TOPIK 4
keonyeong
One particle with 2 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 imply negation by emphasizing the preceding statement, while comparing it with the following statement.
뒤의 말과 비교하여 앞말을 강조하여 부정하는 뜻을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
환자는 목이 아파서 밥커녕 죽도 삼키기 힘들다.
The patient has a sore throat, so he can hardly swallow even porridge, let alone rice.
너무 늦은 시간이라 버스커녕 택시도 한 대 안 다녔다.
It was so late that there wasn't even a taxi, let alone a bus.
승규는 월급이 적어서 저축커녕 월세 내기도 빠듯하다.
Seunggyu's salary is so low that he can barely pay the rent, let alone save.
대화In conversation
너희 남편은 집안일 많이 도와주니?
Does your husband help much with housework?
집안일커녕 누워서 꼼짝도 안 해.
He doesn't move an inch lying down, let alone do housework.
A postpositional particle meaning "on the contrary, not to mention".
‘말할 것도 없거니와 도리어’의 뜻을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 된장찌개커녕 라면도 제대로 못 끓인다.
Jisu can't even cook ramen properly, let alone doenjang stew.
학생인 나는 자동차커녕 자전거 한 대 살 돈도 없다.
As a student, I don't even have money to buy a bicycle, let alone a car.
가족의 기대와 달리 수석 입학커녕 합격도 힘들 것 같다.
Contrary to the family's expectations, it seems hard to even pass, let alone enter with top grades.
대화In conversation
너 정도면 대기업 입사는 문제없겠지?
With your level, getting into a big company should be no problem, right?
모르는 소리 하지 마. 대기업커녕 중소기업에도 들어가기 어려울 것 같아.
Don't talk nonsense. I think it'll be hard to get into even a small company, let alone a big one.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 커녕 mean in Korean?
커녕 is a particle introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). A postpositional particle used to imply negation by emphasizing the preceding statement, while comparing it with the following statement. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 커녕?
Attaches after nouns. The other shape is ㄴ커녕, 는커녕, 은커녕 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 커녕 and ㄴ커녕?
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 커녕?
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.