-건 말건
geon malgeon
Grammar · 1 sense
whether or not, regardless of
Examples
비가 오건 말건 산책은 할 거예요.
Whether it rains or not, I’ll go out for a walk.
사람들이 이해하건 말건 제 생각은 바꾸지 않을 거예요.
Whether people understand or not, I won’t change my opinion.
시험 결과가 좋건 말건 최선을 다한 걸로 만족해요.
Whether the exam results are good or not, I’m satisfied I did my best.
When you'd hear it
It appears in conversation and in informal-to-neutral writing, especially when the speaker sounds firm about not changing course. In dialogue, it can carry a resolute or dismissive tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse it with -든지 말든지. Both can express indifference, but -건 말건 commonly sets up two possible outcomes, while -든지 말든지 more readily focuses on someone’s choice and can sound more blunt.
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