HYEJU LANGUAGE LAB · INTERMEDIATE 03 · LESSON 88
-는데도 / -(으)ㄴ데도Even though… / Despite…
-는데도 states a real fact and then a result that goes against what you would expect from it: “I slept a lot, and yet I’m tired.” The first part has already happened or is true now. That is what makes it different from -아/어도 (even if).
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A situation you already know
You slept ten hours, but you still can’t keep your eyes open.
I slept for ten hours, and I’m still sleepy.
Sleeping a lot should make you feel rested. -는데도 points to that expectation, and the second half breaks it.
Build the form
- 먹다 → 먹- → 먹 + 는데도 → 먹는데도Complete expression
- 있다 → 있- → 있 + 는데도 → 있는데도Complete expression
- 춥다 → 춥- → 추우- → 추우 + ㄴ데도 → 추운데도Complete expression
- 잤다 → 잤- → 잤 + 는데도 → 잤는데도Complete expression
- 학생 → 학생 + 인데도 → 학생인데도Complete expression
- Action verbs and 있다/없다: -는데도 → 먹는데도, 맛있는데도, 시간이 없는데도.
- Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ데도 → 비싼데도, 작은데도. ㅂ irregular: 춥다 → 추운데도. ㄹ drops: 길다 → 긴데도.
- Nouns: 인데도 → 학생인데도, 주말인데도.
- Past facts: -았/었는데도 for verbs and adjectives → 잤는데도, 추웠는데도.
- The second half states a fact. It does not take a command or a suggestion.
Think in Korean · an English-speaker’s guide
- English splits this between “even though” (+ a clause) and “despite” (+ a noun). Korean always attaches -는데도 to a predicate: 비가 오는데도 = despite the rain / even though it is raining.
- First ask whether the first part is real. A real fact → -는데도. An imagined condition → -아/어도: 비가 와도 갈 거예요 (Even if it rains, I’ll go).
- 도 adds “even so.” Without it, -는데 only gives background; -는데도 insists that the result is surprising.
Six examples in context
I took medicine, but my head still hurts.
Even though it’s the weekend, I have to go to work.
This bag is popular even though it’s expensive.
Thank you so much for helping even though you’re busy.
I made a mistake even though I practiced hard.
There were lots of people in the park even though it was cold.
Compare with related patterns
-아/어도
비가 와도 갈 거예요.“Even if it rains, I’ll go.” A possible or imagined condition. 비가 오는데도 갔어요 means it really was raining.
-지만
피곤하지만 일해요.“I’m tired, but I work.” A plain contrast. 피곤한데도 일해요 adds surprise: “I work even though I’m tired.”
-는데
비가 오는데 우산 있어요?“It’s raining. Do you have an umbrella?” Just background (Lesson 63). Adding 도 turns it into “even though.”
| Pattern | Choose it when… |
|---|---|
| -는데도 / -(으)ㄴ데도 | a real fact leads to an unexpected result |
| -아/어도 | even if (a possible or imagined condition) |
| -지만 | a plain contrast, no surprise |
| -는데 | background before a question, request or comment |
Common mistakes
Nouns need 이: N + 인데도.
비싸다 is an adjective, so -(으)ㄴ데도.
-는데도 cannot lead into a command or suggestion. To give a reason for advice, use -(으)니까.
If tomorrow’s rain is only a possibility, use -아/어도 (even if).
Mini practice · six questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Translation answers are models; other natural wording is possible.
- Fill in the blank많이 ______ 배가 고파요. (먹었다)
Check answer
많이 먹었는데도 배가 고파요.
A past fact + -는데도: 먹었는데도.
- Fill in the blank집이 역에서 ______ 월세가 싸요. (가깝다)
Check answer
집이 역에서 가까운데도 월세가 싸요.
가깝다 is ㅂ irregular → 가까운데도.
- Choose the natural form내일 눈이 (오는데도 / 와도) 출근해야 해요.
Check answer
와도
Tomorrow’s snow is a possibility, so “even if.”
- Choose the natural form그 사람은 (외국인인데도 / 외국인는데도) 한국어를 아주 잘해요.
Check answer
외국인인데도
Noun + 인데도.
- Fix the mistake시간이 없는데도 빨리 오세요.
Check answer
시간이 없으니까 빨리 오세요.
A request cannot follow -는데도; give the reason with -(으)니까.
- Say it in KoreanEven though it’s Sunday, the store is open.
Check answer
일요일인데도 가게가 문을 열었어요.
일요일 is a noun → 일요일인데도.
Today’s key point
A real fact + an unexpected result → -는데도 (verbs, 있다/없다), -(으)ㄴ데도 (adjectives), 인데도 (nouns). An imagined condition → -아/어도. No commands or suggestions after it.
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