Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-더라도
even if, even though (hypothetical concession)
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Admits a (usually hypothetical) situation in clause 1 and says clause 2 still holds. Often with 아무리 or 비록. Clause 2 is often advice, a command or a resolution.
Forming it
| 힘들다 | → 힘들더라도 |
| 늦다 | → 늦더라도 |
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁘더라도 |
| 학생 | → 학생이더라도 |
Examples
조금 늦더라도 오늘 모임에 꼭 오세요.
Even if you're a little late, be sure to come to the get-together today.
아무리 바쁘더라도 아침은 꼭 먹어야 해요.
No matter how busy you are, you should eat breakfast.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어도 (G2-032) is more common and neutral; -더라도 stresses the hypothetical and sounds a bit stronger. -(으)ㄹ지라도 (G5-010) is stronger and more written. -아/어 봤자 (G4-022) says the action is useless.