안녕하세요～! 토미입니다!
Let’s learn Korean with excitement!
Today’s grammar is,
① – 은/는 좀 뭐하다 “to be hesitant”
② – 는 날에는 “in case / when”
③ – 는 한이 있어도 “even if it means ~”
If you learn today’s grammar, you can say
내가 한국 드라마를 자막없이 볼 수 있게 되는 날에는 한국에서 살아도 되겠다.
When I can watch Korean dramas without subtitles, I can live in South Korea.
Like this sentence, you can express what you want to do in the future.
And, is anyone expecting a test this time because it’s the 65th lesson?
That’s great!! You know what comes next, right?
But the next lesson will be the last one of the Intermediate series!
So, this time, I’m preparing for a grammar test for the 61st to 66th lessons.
I will announce it at the next 66th lesson!
Now that we are at the end of the series, let’s study hard until the end, pass TOPIK II level 4, and become a super intermediate master!
You can accomplish this!!
그럼 시작할게요!
-은/는 좀 뭐하다
Nouns(without a final consonant) + 는 좀 뭐하다
Nouns(with a final consonant) + 은 좀 뭐하다
The first grammar is – 은/는 좀 뭐하다 “to be hesitant.” It implies being worried, hesitant or reluctant to take specific actions based on the situation.
Did you think 뭐하다 means “what to do”?
It also means “to be awkward.” This is an adjective.
That’s pretty surprising!!
And you conjugate this grammar with nouns.
If a noun has a final consonant, you attach – 은 좀 뭐하다.
If a noun does not have a final consonant, you attach – 는 좀 뭐하다.
You already know these things.
You can also say – 기 뭐하다. It means “it’s awkward to do.”
In this case, you can attach – 기 뭐하다 to a verb stem.
Now let’s look at an example sentence about what the speaker is hesitant to do.
Noun: Example 1
시간이 애매해서 놀기가 좀 뭐하네.
It’s an iffy time, and it’s awkward to hang out.
Here, 놀다 is “to play / to hang out.” You add the nominalizing ending 기 to the stem to make 놀기 “to hang out.” You add 가 좀 뭐하다 to make 놀기가 좀 뭐하다 “it’s awkward to hang out.”
The following is another commonly used expression of hesitation.
Let’s see it together!
Noun: Example 2
지금 식사하긴 뭐하니까 술이라도 한잔 할까요?
It’s awkward to have a meal now, so how about a drink?
Here, 식사하다 is “to eat / to have a meal.” You add – 기 뭐하다 to make 식사하기 뭐하다 “It’s awkward to have a meal.”
In the text, 식사하기는 is used to emphasize and is shortened to 식사하긴.
The following is another frequently used example sentence.
Let’s have a look!
Noun: Example 3
내 입으로 말하기는 좀 뭐해.
I am hesitant to say it out of my mouth.
You might have encountered this kind of situation.
Like, I can’t say it myself.
Anyway, here, 말하다 is “to say / to tell.” You add the nominalising ending 기 to make 말하기 “to say.” Additionally, you add 는 좀 뭐하다 to make 말하기는 좀 뭐하다 “I am hesitant to say.”
Quiz
Then, let’s deepen our understanding with some quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 애써 산 집을 팔기가 좀 ( ).
After all the hard work, I am a little hesitant to sell the house I bought.
(1) 뭐하다 (2) 뭐한다
The correct answer is number one. 뭐하다 is an adjective.
Therefore, the correct 한다 form is 뭐하다.
Number two, 뭐한다, is a wrong conjugation.
So, you should be careful! 조심하세요!
Now let’s read it together!
애써 산 집을 팔기가 좀 (뭐하다).
Please read it as if you’re expressing how you are hesitant and gloomy.
Now let’s look at the following quiz!
2. 여긴 너무 조용하니까 ( ) 좀 뭐하다.
It’s so quiet here that I am a little hesitant to cough.
(1) 기침하기는 (2) 기침함은
The correct answer is number one, 기침하기는.
Both – 기 and – (으)ㅁ are endings that change verbs or adjectives into nouns, but you use 기 in situations of “to do~.”
The expression – 기가/기는 좀 뭐하다 “I’m a bit hesitant to do” is appropriate, so it is good to remember it as it is.
Number two, 기침함은, is not the correct grammar. So, please don’t use it!
Now let’s read it together!
여긴 너무 조용하니까 (기침하기는) 좀 뭐하다.
Please read it with hesitation.
-는 날에는/날이면
Verbs + 는 날에는 / 날이면
The following grammar is – 는 날에는/날이면 “in case / when.”
You use this expression to assume that a specific condition has been achieved and then describe what will happen in the future.
The word 날 is a noun meaning “day / case.”
Therefore, you can perceive a nuance focused on time.
Also, – 날에는 “on the day” and 날이면 “if it’s a day” express almost the same meaning.
You use this conjugation by adding the present tense of a noun modifier, 는, on a verb stem and add 날에는.
It’s really simple. 정말 간단해요!
For example, 가다 “to go” will be 가는 날에는 “in case (you) go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 날에는 “in case (you) eat.”
Let’s see what you want to say in the example.
Verb: Example 1
다시 만나는 날에는 우리 더 좋은 인연으로 만나요.
I hope to see you in a better relationship when we meet again.
Wow! This is an example exactly like a line from a drama.
Here, 만나다 is “to see / to meet.” You add 는 날에는 to the stem to make 만나는 날에는 “When we meet again.”
Next is an example of dreaming of a hopeful future.
Let’s take a look!
Verb: Example 2
이 프로젝트가 성공하는 날이면 우리도 승진할 수 있겠다.
If this project succeeds, we will be promoted too.
Here, 성공하다 is “to succeed.” You add 는 날이면 to the stem to make 성공하는 날이면 “In case this project succeeds/if this project succeeds.”
The following is another example that describes a future full of dreams.
Verb: Example 3
우리가 결혼하는 날엔 멋있는 결혼식을 올리자!
When we get married, let’s have a great wedding!
Here, 결혼하다 is “to get married.” You add 는 날에는 to the stem to make 결혼하는 날에는 “when we get married.” The 는 in 날에는 is a subject marker and is shortened as 날엔.
The meaning will be the same, and you often use the shorter version in conversation.
Quiz
Then, let’s deepen our understanding with some quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 니가 시험에 ( ) 날엔 내가 소주 100 병 쏜다.
If you pass the exam, I will buy 100 bottles of soju.
(1) 합격할 (2) 합격하는
The correct answer is number two.
Although the context assumes something that has not yet happened, the present modifier form is used to connect to 날에는.
Therefore, number two is the correct answer. Now let’s read it together!
니가 시험에 (합격하는) 날엔 내가 소주 100 병 쏜다.
Please read it as if you were generous.
Now let’s look at the following quiz!
2. 내가 꿈을 이루는 ( ) 또 다른 꿈을 품고 있을 거야.
The day I fulfill my dream, I will have a different dream.
(1) 날이면 (2)날면
The correct answer is number one because when 면 is attached to a noun with a final consonant becomes 이면.
Number two, 날면 is a wrong conjugation. So, be cautious! 주의하세요!
Now let’s read it together!
내가 꿈을 이루는 (날이면) 또 다른 꿈을 품고 있을 거야.
Please read it as if you are talking about a big dream.
-는 한이 있어도/있더라도
Verbs + 는 한이 있어도 / 있더라도
The last grammar is – 는 한이 있어도/있더라도 “even if it means ~.”
This grammar expresses an extreme situation where one is willing to make sacrifices, or to ignore difficulties or shame, for the sake of a certain thing.
The synonym for this grammar is – 아/어도 or – 더라도 “even if.”
But, but, but, -는 한이 있어도 means “even if it means.”
Ummm, did you sense that it sounds more dangerous?
For example, 죽는 한이 있더라도 means “even if it means (I) die.”
I understand the speaker’s hopeless feeling, but it is a big problem if he/she really dies.
So, it is just an emphasis.
In other words, it is used when a speaker wants to express a stronger sense of concession than – 아/어도 or – 더라도.
Moreover, it is often used together with 비록 meaning “if.”
In addition, – 한이 있어도 and – 한이 있더라도 are almost the same meaning.
But, – 한이 있더라도 sounds stronger than – 한이 있어도.
To conjugate, you add 는 to a verb stem and connect it to – 한이 있어도/ 있더라도.
For example, 가다 “to go” will be 가는 한이 있어도 “even if it means (I) go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 한이 있어도 “even if it means (I) eat.”
Now, I have prepared an example with a firm intention.
Let’s have a look!
Verb: Example 1
부장님!! 비록 제가 사표를 쓰는 한이 있더라도 이 지시만은 따를 수가 없습니다.
Manager!! Even if it means I have to write a resignation letter, I just cannot follow this instruction.
The speaker expresses an honest feeling that this is an instruction that the speaker absolutely cannot accept.
Can you feel the desperation?
In this sentence, 쓰다 is “to write.” You add – 는 한이 있더라도 to the stem to make 쓰는 한이 있더라도 “even if it means I have to write.”
The speaker uses the extreme action of “to write a letter of resignation” as an example to emphasize the fact that he/she cannot follow this instruction.
The following sentence is another example of maximum earnestness.
Let’s have a look!
Verb: Example 2
내 목숨을 잃는 한이 있더라도 내 자식들을 살려야 한다.
Even if it means I lose my life, I must save my children.
You can feel the pain of a parent who has children.
Anyway, in this sentence, 잃다 is “to lose.” You add – 는 한이 있더라도 to the stem to make 잃는 한이 있더라도 “even if it means I lose.”
It emphasizes the speaker’s willingness to save his/her children even if the extreme situation of losing one’s life occurs.
You can assume how desperate the speaker is from the sentence.
The next is another example sentence to express a strong determination.
Let’s take a look.
Verb: Example 3
제 팔다리가 부러지는 한이 있어도 끝까지 싸우겠습니다.
Even if my limb is broken, I will fight to the end.
This example shows that you are determined to win this match.
Here, 부러지다 is “to be broken.” You add – 는 한이 있어도 to make 부러지는 한이 있어도 “even if (my limb) is broken.”
Quiz
Then, let’s deepen our understanding with some quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 며칠 밤을 ( ) 한이 있어도 마감일까지 끝내도록 하겠습니다.
Even if I stay up all night for a few days, I will finish it by the deadline.
(1) 세우는 (2) 새우는
The correct answer is number two.
Wow!! This is pretty confusing!!
Can you tell the difference?
새우다 means “to spend the night / to stay up all night.”
So, number two is the appropriate verb for the context.
Number one, 세우다 means “to build / to set up / to stop” and is used as 예정을 세우다 “to make plans.”
It is different from the context. Thus, it is incorrect.
These verbs are confusing because of their similar forms, but it is important to distinguish between them.
Now let’s read it together!
며칠 밤을 (새우는) 한이 있어도 마감일까지 끝내도록 하겠습니다.
Please read it with determination.
Now let’s look at the following quiz!
2. 내가 ( ) 한이 있더라도 너만은 꼭 지킬게게.
Even if it means I am in danger, I will surely protect you.
(1) 위험해지는 (2) 위험해진
The correct answer is number one.
Women would be happy to hear this.
위험해지다 means “to be in danger.” You add 는 to the stem to make 위험해지는.
Number two is wrong because 위험해지다 is a verb.
You should add the present tense of a noun modifier.
Now let’s read it together!
내가 (위험해지는) 한이 있더라도 너만은 꼭 지킬게.
Please try to read it in a cool way.
Homework
Now, I will give you today’s saying! Please, spot today’s grammar!
스스로 발을 헛디뎌 떨어지는 한이 있더라도,
결코 후회하지 않을 일에 온 힘을 다해야 한다.
인생에서 성공이란,
간절히 꿈꾸는 자만이 쟁취할 수 있는 것이다.
Even if it means tripping over your own feet and falling,
You should put all your energy into something you will never regret.
Success in life can only be achieved
By those who dream hard enough.
I love this!! We should definitely dream hard and achieve our goals.
Then let’s move on to the homework!
There are two homework assignments.
First, compose three sentences using today’s grammar.
① Firstly, let’s use – 은/는 좀 뭐하다 “to be hesitant.”
For example,
- 거기 귀신이 나온다니까 가기는 좀 뭐하지.
They say there is a ghost, so I’m hesitant to go.
Can you feel this hesitation?
If you have thoughts about something you think is wrong, try writing about it.
② Secondly, let’s use – 는 날에는 / 날이면 “in case / when.”
For example,
- 온 세상에 평화가 찾아오는 날에는 모두가 행복한 날을 보낼 수 있을 것이다.
When peace arrives all over the world, everyone will have happy days.
③ Lastly, let’s use – 는 한이 있어도/있더라도 “even if it means ~.”
For example,
- 억울함을 느끼는 한이 있어도 참는 게 맞을 때도 있다.
Even if you feel frustrated, sometimes it is right to be patient.
This is undoubtedly true. Try to write a sentence to emphasize something like this.
The second homework is to memorize new words.
Please memorize the forty words from number 2561 to number 2600 on page 33 in the intermediate vocabulary list.
There is a vocabulary quiz of forty words on my website, so, just feel free to try it.
The link is in the description box.
That’s all! Thank you for your hard work today!
I look forward to meeting you all and chatting with you in Korean!
그럼 오늘도 행복 가득, 웃음 가득한 하루 되세요！ 한국어 화이팅, 화이팅, 화이팅！！
