-아/어 봤자

even if you do … (it's no use / it won't make much difference)

Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate

How to use it

Clause 1 is an action or state assumed for argument's sake; clause 2 says it's useless or not significant (소용없다, 별로 …지 않다, -(으)ㄹ 거예요). Spoken. With adjectives: 'even if it's …, at most': 비싸 봤자 만 원이에요.

Forming it

가다	→ 가 봤자
말하다	→ 말해 봤자
비싸다	→ 비싸 봤자
듣다	→ 들어 봤자

Clause 2 can't be a command or suggestion, and must express futility or a small degree: ✗ 열심히 해 봤자 성공할 거예요.

Examples

지금 가 봤자 가게 문이 벌써 닫혔을 거예요.
Even if we go now, the store will already be closed.
그 사람한테 말해 봤자 소용없어요.
It's no use telling him.

Compared with similar patterns

-아/어도 (G2-032) is a neutral 'even if'; -아/어 봤자 adds 'it's pointless'. -더라도 (G4-023) is a hypothetical concession. -(으)나 마나 (G5-027) means the result is the same whether you do it or not.