Regardless/in spite: -ㄹ/을지라도

This grammar point connects two sentences. The first sentence sets up a hurdle or a condition. The second sentence shows a result that happens anyway. It is a 'concessive' ending. This means you 'concede' or admit a fact. But that fact cannot stop the main action. It is like a grammar traffic light that stays green. No matter how many 'red light' conditions appear, you keep going. It highlights your determination. It also highlights the certainty of a situation. Even if the world ends, I will love you. That is the vibe of -ㄹ/을지라도. It creates a strong contrast. It makes your Korean sound sophisticated and poetic.

1. 1Forming this is quite straightforward. You just need to look at the verb or adjective stem.
2. 2For stems ending in a vowel: Attach -ㄹ지라도.
3. 3가다 (to go) becomes 갈지라도.
4. 4보다 (to see) becomes 볼지라도.
5. 5For stems ending in a consonant: Attach -을지라도.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹을지라도.
7. 7읽다 (to read) becomes 읽을지라도.
8. 8For stems ending in ㄹ: Just add 지라도.
9. 9만들다 (to make) becomes 만들지라도.
10. 10For the past tense: Use -었/았을지라도.
11. 11갔을지라도 (Even if they went).
12. 12For nouns: Use 일지라도.
13. 13부자일지라도 (Even if they are a rich person).

Use this when you need to be serious. It is perfect for a job interview. You might say, 'Even if the task is hard, I will finish it.' It is great for formal presentations. Use it when writing an essay or a news report. It is also common in song lyrics and poetry. It adds a touch of drama. If you are making a big promise, this is your friend. It shows you have thought about the obstacles. You are choosing to move forward anyway. It is also used for hypothetical extremes. 'Even if I were to die tomorrow...' That kind of intensity requires -ㄹ/을지라도.

Don't use this with your close friends over coffee. It sounds like you are giving a political speech. If you say 'Even if it's cold, let's eat ice cream' using this, people will stare. It is too heavy for daily errands. For casual stuff, stick to -아/어도. Avoid it in simple, lighthearted contexts. Also, don't use it if the condition is very likely and mundane. It is meant for 'even if,' not just 'because.' If you use it too much, you might sound a bit stiff. Think of it like a tuxedo. It looks great at a wedding, but weird at the gym.

One big mistake is mixing it with informal endings. Don't say 갈지라도 가요. Keep the whole sentence formal. Another mistake is using it where -는데 or -지만 fits better. Those are for simple 'but.' -ㄹ/을지라도 is for 'no matter what.' Many people forget the ㄹ for vowel stems. They might say 가지라도 instead of 갈지라도. Yes, even native speakers mess this up in quick writing sometimes! Also, watch out for the subject. Usually, the subject of both clauses is the same, but it doesn't have to be. Just make sure the logic holds up.

How is it different from -아/어도? -아/어도 is the everyday version. It is neutral and common. -ㄹ/을지라도 is formal and much stronger. How about -더라도? -더라도 is more about the speaker's subjective assumption. It is a bit more 'hypothetical.' -ㄹ/을지라도 feels more objective and firm. It is the most formal of the three. Then there is -ㄹ지언정. This one is about choosing between two things. 'I'd rather die than surrender.' -ㄹ/을지라도 is just about the obstacle not mattering. It is about persistence, not just preference.