-는 이상Korean expression · TOPIK 5

-neun isang

An expression used to indicate that one must do something or accept a certain situation because the preceding statement has been already decided.

형태Forms

-는 이상-ㄴ 이상-은 이상

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

An expression used to indicate that one must do something or accept a certain situation because the preceding statement has been already decided.

앞말이 이미 정해진 사실이므로 어떻게 해야 한다거나 어떤 상황임이 당연하다는 뜻을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

‘있다’, ‘없다’, ‘계시다’나 ‘있다’, ‘없다’로 끝나는 형용사, 동사 또는 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, ‘-는 이상은’으로도 쓴다.

예문Examples

이렇게 계속 노는 이상 시험을 잘 볼 수가 없을 텐데.

If you keep playing like this, you won't be able to do well on the exam.

숙제가 있는 이상 집에 와서 숙제부터 하고 쉬어야 한다.

Since you have homework, you should come home and do it before resting.

술과 담배를 끊지 않는 이상 건강이 좋아지기 어렵다.

Unless you quit drinking and smoking, it's hard for your health to improve.

대화In conversation

요즘 회사 일이 너무 많아서 피곤하네요.

I'm so tired because there's too much work at the office these days.

네, 그러게요. 주말에도 쉬지 못하고 일하는 이상 점점 더 힘들 것 같아요.

Yes, I know. Since we have to work even on weekends, it's going to get harder and harder.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 마련이다 -ge maryeonida -기 마련이다 An expression used to indicate that it is natural for something to occur or become a certain state. TOPIK 5 -게 생겼다 -ge saengyeotta An expression used to indicate that someone is facing the situation expressed by the preceding statement. TOPIK 5 -기 나름이다 -gi nareumida -을 나름이다 An expression used to indicate that something depends on how the act mentioned in the preceding statement is done. TOPIK 5 -기가 바쁘게 -giga bappeuge An expression used to indicate that something happens as soon as the act mentioned in the preceding statement is completed. TOPIK 5 -기가 쉽다 -giga swipda An expression used to state that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement is likely to occur. TOPIK 5 -기만 하다 -giman hada An expression used to state that one does only one act without doing anything else. TOPIK 5

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는 이상 mean in Korean?

-는 이상 is a expression introduced at 5급 (TOPIK 5). An expression used to indicate that one must do something or accept a certain situation because the preceding statement has been already decided.

What is the difference between -는 이상 and -ㄴ 이상?

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

What TOPIK level is -는 이상?

5급 — TOPIK 5, advanced. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

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