Let's learn how to use the V/A-(으)ㄴ/는 데도 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
V/A-(으)ㄴ/는 데도 even though,” “despite,” or “although.”
USE:
The grammar (으)ㄴ/는 데도 is used to express contrast or unexpected results.
It means “even though,” “despite,” or “although.”
It connects two opposite facts —
➡ the first clause gives a situation,
➡ and the second clause shows a result that’s unexpected or contradictory to the first.
CONJUGATION RULE
Attach (으)ㄴ/는 데도 to the verb or adjective stem, depending on the word type.
Action verbs (present tense): + -는데도
→ 가다 → 가는데도 (even though I go)
→ 비가 오다 → 비가 오는데도 (even though it rains)Descriptive verbs (adjectives): + -(으)ㄴ데도
→ 비싸다 → 비싼데도 (even though it’s expensive)
→ 예쁘다 → 예쁜데도 (even though she’s pretty)Past tense verbs: + -(으)ᄇ/았/었는데도
→ 공부했다 → 공부했는데도 (even though I studied)
→ 갔다 → 갔는데도 (even though I went)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
1. 비가 오는데도 우산을 안 썼어요.
→ Even though it was raining, I didn’t use an umbrella.
2. 열심히 공부했는데도 시험을 못 봤어요.
→ Even though I studied hard, I didn’t do well on the exam.
3. 가격이 비싼데도 사람들이 많이 샀어요.
→ Even though it’s expensive, many people bought it.
4. 몸이 아픈데도 일을 계속했어요.
→ Even though I was sick, I kept working.
5. 늦었는데도 기다려 줬어요.
→ Even though I was late, they waited for me.
Additional Notes
1. (으)ㄴ/는 데도 is stronger than -지만 (but).
2. It emphasizes the unexpectedness of the result.
춥지만 갔어요. → It was cold, but I went.
추운데도 갔어요. → Even though it was cold, I (still) went. (more surprising)
You can use it with both past and present sentences.
It’s often used to express disappointment, surprise, or frustration.
