Pattern: -(아/어)도
-(아/어)도 (-(a, (a, eo)do)
-(아/어)도 means 'even if ~' expressing concession or no change in result despite an action.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
‘~해도’ means that the result or state does not change even if a certain condition or action occurs.
When to use
Concession expression, Conditional statement, Emphasizing no change in result
The nuance
Attach ‘-아도’ or ‘-어도’ to the verb stem depending on vowel harmony: use ‘아도’ if the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, otherwise ‘어도’. 하다 becomes ‘해도’. It expresses concession meaning ‘even if ~’ or ‘it’s okay even if ~.’
비가 와도 학교에 갑니다.
bi-ga wa-do hak-gyo-e gap-ni-da., bi ga wa do hak gyo e gap ni da.
The verb stem ‘와’ from ‘오다’ plus ‘-도’ forms ‘와도,’ correctly expressing ‘even if it rains.’
밥을 먹아도 배가 고파요.
bap-eul meok-a-do bae-ga go-pa-yo., bap eul meok a do bae ga go pa yo.
The verb stem ‘먹’ plus ‘-어도’ forms ‘먹어도,’ a natural expression.
공부해도 시험을 못 봐요.
gong-bu-hae-do si-heom-eul mos bwa-yo., gong bu hae do si heom eul mos bwa yo.
‘하다’ changes to ‘해도,’ so ‘공부해도’ is correct.
친구가 와도 나는 안 갈 거예요.
chin-gu-ga wa-do na-neun an gal geo-ye-yo., chin gu ga wa do na neun an gal geo ye yo.
‘와도’ correctly formed from ‘오다’ stem plus ‘-도’.
책을 읽아도 이해가 안 돼요.
chaek-eul ik-a-do i-hae-ga an dwae-yo., chaek eul ik a do i hae ga an dwae yo.
The correct form is ‘읽어도,’ not ‘읽아도.’
운동해도 피곤하지 않아요.
un-dong-hae-do pi-gon-ha-ji an-a-yo., un dong hae do pi gon ha ji an a yo.
‘하다’ becomes ‘해도,’ making it correct.
노래를 불어도 잘 못해요.
no-rae-reul bul-eo-do jal mos-hae-yo., no rae reul bul eo do jal mos hae yo.
‘노래하다’ conjugates as ‘노래해도,’ not ‘불어도.’
늦게 자도 아침에 일찍 일어나요.
neuj-ge ja-do a-chim-e il-jjik il-eo-na-yo., neuj ge ja do a chim e il jjik il eo na yo.
‘자도’ correctly formed from ‘자다’ stem plus ‘-도.’
Which sentence uses ‘-(아/어)도’ correctly?
What is the correct form of ‘-(아/어)도’ with the verb ‘하다’?
Which sentence is incorrect?
