-거나 말거나
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Grammar · 1 sense
whether or not, regardless of
Examples
그녀가 이번 연구를 끝내거나 말거나 이미 많은 여성들한테 롤 모델이 되고 있어요.
Whether she finishes the research or not, she’s already a role model for many women.
새로운 영화를 보러 가거나 말거나 책 읽는 게 아이디어 얻는 데 더 좋대요
Whether she goes to watch the new movie or not, she says reading is better for getting ideas.
새로운 취미를 찾거나 말거나 일단 지금까지 하던 걸 계속할 거예요.
Whether she finds a new hobby or not, she’s going to keep doing what she’s been doing.
When you'd hear it
This pattern is common in conversation and also appears in informal writing, including online posts. Depending on context, it can sound matter-of-fact or slightly dismissive, especially when the speaker treats the outcome as irrelevant.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes use -거나 말거나 for any choice between alternatives. Plain -거나 lists options, while -거나 말거나 says that either outcome makes no difference to the main clause.
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