든지/든가 (any, whether) - Any, Whether, Or

This grammar attaches to the end of words to show a choice. You can use it with verbs, adjectives, or nouns. Usually, you list two or more options. For example, "Eat or sleep, do what you want." But you can also use it with just one option to imply "even if it's this." It basically says that the specific choice doesn't change the outcome. If you use it with question words like 누구 (who) or 어디 (where), it creates words like "whoever" or "anywhere." It’s like adding a "-ever" suffix in English. It’s very flexible and fits into many sentence structures. Even though it looks long, the logic is very consistent once you get the hang of it.

1. 1For Verbs and Adjectives: Just take the stem and add 든지 or 든가.
2. 2가다 (to go) becomes 가든지 or 가든가.
3. 3먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹든지 or 먹든가.
4. 4Note: There is no difference based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or consonant.
5. 5For Nouns: Attach 이든지 if the noun ends in a consonant, or just 든지 if it ends in a vowel.
6. 6학생 (student) + 이든지 = 학생이든지.
7. 7사과 (apple) + 든지 = 사과든지.
8. 8For Past Tense: Use the past tense stem before adding the ending.
9. 9했다 (did) becomes 했든지.
10. 10갔다 (went) becomes 갔든지.
11. 11For Negative Options: Use the word 말든지 (or not).
12. 12오든지 말든지 (Whether you come or not).

Use this when you want to offer choices where the result is the same. Imagine you're at a job interview. They ask when you can start. You say, "Monday or Tuesday, any day is fine." That’s 월요일이든지 화요일이든지.

Another great scenario is using question words.

• 누구든지 (Anyone/Whoever)
• 어디든지 (Anywhere/Wherever)
• 언제든지 (Anytime/Whenever)
• 무엇이든지 (Anything/Whatever)

You can also use it to show a bit of frustration or total indifference. If someone keeps asking for your opinion and you really don't care, you might say 네 마음대로 하든지! (Do whatever you want!). It’s like a grammar traffic light that’s always green—every path is open. Use it when you want to sound flexible and easy-going.

Don't use 든지 when there is only one specific, required action. If you must go to the bank, don't say 은행에 가든지. That sounds like you're still deciding or it doesn't matter, which is confusing if it's a requirement.

Also, avoid using it for simple facts that don't involve a choice. For example, if you're describing a sequence of events like "I ate and then I slept," 든지 is the wrong tool. It’s strictly for options and indifference. If you use it in the wrong spot, you might sound like you're daydreaming or unsure of reality. Keep it for those "A or B" moments.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The biggest trap is confusing 든지 with 던지.

• 든지 is for choices (Any/Whether).
• 던지 is for recollection or reasons (I remember it was so... that...).

If you write 얼마나 춥든지, you're saying "No matter how cold it is (I don't care)." But if you meant to say "It was so cold that I cried," you must use 얼마나 춥던지. It’s just one vowel difference, but it changes the whole meaning. Think of the 'ㅡ' in 든지 as a flat line—like a choice between two flat options. Think of the 'ㅓ' in 던지 as a hook looking back at the past. Another mistake is forgetting the 이 in 이든지 for nouns ending in consonants. 책든지 sounds clunky; 책이든지 is the way to go.

You might know 거나, which also means "or." What's the difference?

• 거나 is a standard, polite "or." It’s used for a simple choice: "I will eat bread or rice."
• 든지 carries a stronger nuance of "it doesn't matter which one." It’s more about the lack of preference.

If you say 사과나 배를 주세요, you're asking for one of them. If you say 사과든지 배든지 주세요, you're saying "Apples, pears, whatever you have, just give me something." 든지 is much more open-ended. Also, 든가 is basically the same as 든지, but it’s slightly more common in spoken, casual Korean. If you want to sound a bit more formal or literary, stick with 든지.