Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-고 말다
end up doing (regret); will definitely do (determination)
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
-고 말았다: something unwanted finally happened despite effort (regret). -고 말겠다: strong determination to achieve something.
Forming it
| 깨다 | → 깨고 말았다 |
| 잊다 | → 잊고 말았다 |
| 이기다 | → 이기고 말겠다 |
| 합격하다 | → 합격하고 말겠다 |
Examples
조심했는데 결국 컵을 깨고 말았어요.
I was careful, but I ended up breaking the cup.
이번 시험에는 꼭 합격하고 말겠어요.
I'm going to pass the exam this time no matter what.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어 버리다 shows completion and can express relief or regret. -게 되다 is a neutral change of situation. -고 말다 stresses the outcome after resisting.