~든지 ~든지

The Korean grammatical structure ~든지 ~든지 is a versatile and essential conjunction used primarily to express the idea of choice or indifference. When you use this pattern, you are effectively communicating that between two or more options, it does not matter which one is selected or occurs. The result, the speaker's attitude, or the subsequent action remains unchanged regardless of the choice. In English, this is most closely translated as 'whether... or...' or 'either... or...'. This structure is part of the 'indefinite' or 'selective' category of Korean endings, often appearing in contexts where the speaker is granting permission, expressing lack of preference, or describing a situation where multiple conditions lead to the same outcome. It is a staple of intermediate Korean (CEFR A2-B1) because it allows for more complex sentence construction beyond simple 'and' or 'but' connectors. The beauty of ~든지 ~든지 lies in its ability to condense a list of possibilities into a single statement of indifference. For instance, if you want to say 'I don't care if you eat or sleep,' you would use this form to link 'eat' and 'sleep' to the final verb 'don't care.' It is distinct from other 'or' connectors like ~거나, which is often used for simple alternatives without the strong nuance of 'no matter which.' Understanding ~든지 ~든지 is a gateway to mastering the Korean sense of 'anyness'—the concept that the specific identity of the choice is secondary to the fact that a choice exists.

Core Meaning

Expressing that any choice among the given options is acceptable or leads to the same result.

Usage Context

Commonly used in daily conversations, giving directions, or expressing a flexible attitude toward plans.

Furthermore, this expression can be used with a single option followed by a question word like '누구' (who), '어디' (where), or '언제' (when) to mean 'anybody,' 'anywhere,' or 'anytime.' For example, '누구든지' means 'whoever' or 'anyone.' However, when used in the paired form ~든지 ~든지, it specifically highlights the selection between the listed items. It is highly productive in Korean because it can be attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns alike. When attached to nouns, it takes the form (이)든지. The repetition of the ending is what provides the rhythmic balance characteristic of natural Korean speech. In many cases, speakers might drop the second '든지' in very casual speech, but the full paired form is the standard for clear communication. In written Korean, especially in literature or formal essays, it serves to present a range of possibilities that the author considers equivalent in weight. For learners, mastering this means being able to move away from rigid 'A or B' structures and toward the more fluid 'A or B, it's all the same' logic that permeates Korean social interaction and decision-making.

Using ~든지 ~든지 correctly requires an understanding of how it attaches to different parts of speech. For verbs and adjectives, you simply take the verb stem and add ~든지. There is no distinction based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant, which makes it grammatically straightforward compared to other endings. For example, the stem of '가다' (to go) is '가-', so it becomes '가든지'. The stem of '먹다' (to eat) is '먹-', so it becomes '먹든지'. When you want to list two actions, you repeat the form for both: '가든지 오든지' (whether you go or come). If you are using it with nouns, you must add 이 if the noun ends in a consonant. For example, '물' (water) becomes '물이든지', while '커피' (coffee) becomes '커피든지'. This versatility allows you to create complex lists of options. It is also important to note that ~든지 ~든지 can be used with past tense markers like ~었/았/였~. For instance, '했든지 안 했든지' (whether you did it or didn't do it) refers to a past choice or state. However, the most common usage remains in the present or future context where a choice is currently being offered or considered.

Verb/Adjective Rule

Stem + 든지 (e.g., 하 + 든지 = 하든지)

Noun Rule

Noun + (이)든지 (e.g., 책 + 이든지 = 책이든지)

In terms of sentence placement, the ~든지 ~든지 clause usually acts as an adverbial phrase that modifies the main verb of the sentence. The main verb often expresses an action that is independent of the choice made in the first part of the sentence. Common main verbs include '상관없다' (to not matter), '괜찮다' (to be okay), '마음대로 하다' (to do as one pleases), or '결정하다' (to decide). For example, '싸든지 비싸든지 살 거예요' (Whether it is cheap or expensive, I will buy it). Here, the act of buying is the primary focus, and the price is the variable that the speaker is dismissing as irrelevant. You can also stack more than two options, though two is the most common. If you have three options, you would simply add ~든지 to each: '한식이든지 중식이든지 일식이든지 다 좋아요' (Whether it's Korean, Chinese, or Japanese food, it's all good). This repetitive structure creates a list-like effect that is very clear to the listener. Finally, remember that while ~든지 can be shortened to ~든 in casual speech (e.g., '하든 말든'), the full form is more polite and standard for learners at the A2 level.

In the real world, ~든지 ~든지 is ubiquitous. You will hear it in restaurants, at home, in the workplace, and in K-dramas. One of the most frequent places you'll encounter it is when someone is being accommodating or flexible. A friend might say, '영화가 재미있든지 없든지 같이 가자' (Whether the movie is fun or not, let's go together). This highlights the social value placed on the relationship over the specific activity. In a professional setting, a manager might use it to express that the method doesn't matter as long as the job gets done: '이메일을 보내든지 전화를 하든지 오늘까지 끝내세요' (Whether you send an email or make a phone call, finish it by today). This usage emphasizes the result over the process. You will also hear it in advertisements or store announcements, where businesses want to emphasize their versatility: '현금이든지 카드든지 결제 가능합니다' (Payment is possible whether by cash or card). This makes the structure vital for navigating daily transactions and social interactions in Korea.

Daily Life

Deciding on dinner: '피자를 먹든지 치킨을 먹든지 네가 정해.'

Media

In songs, it often conveys a sense of unconditional love or persistence (e.g., '어디에 있든지' - wherever you are).

Another interesting place you hear ~든지 ~든지 is in parents' advice or scolding. A mother might say, '공부를 하든지 잠을 자든지 하나만 해!' (Either study or sleep, just do one!). Here, the structure is used to limit choices to a specific set of acceptable actions, even if the tone is a bit frustrated. In literature and song lyrics, the structure is often used to create a sense of vastness or totality. For example, '하늘이든지 땅이든지' (Whether in heaven or on earth) suggests that something is universal. Because it is so flexible, it is also a common feature in Korean variety shows where guests are given 'either-or' challenges or when they are told that 'no matter what happens, the show must go on.' For a learner, listening for the '든지' sound at the end of verbs is a great way to identify when someone is presenting options. Even if you don't catch every word, hearing the rhythm of 'X-든지 Y-든지' tells you immediately that a choice is being discussed. This auditory pattern is one of the most recognizable in the Korean language.

One of the most notorious traps for Korean learners—and even some native speakers—is the confusion between ~든지 and ~던지. While they sound almost identical in fast speech, their meanings are entirely different. ~든지 is about choice and indifference (whether... or...). In contrast, ~던지 is used when reflecting on a past experience that was surprising, extreme, or impressive. For example, '날씨가 얼마나 춥던지!' means 'You wouldn't believe how cold it was!' using the past-recollection marker ~더~. Using ~던지 when you mean ~든지 is a common spelling error in text messages. Another mistake is using ~든지 when a simple ~거나 would be more natural. While they both mean 'or,' ~거나 is a neutral 'or' used in statements of fact, whereas ~든지 implies that the choice doesn't matter. If you say '주말에 등산을 하거나 영화를 봐요' (I hike or watch movies on weekends), it's a simple description. If you say '등산을 하든지 영화를 보든지 하세요,' it sounds like you are giving someone a choice and you don't care which they pick.

The ~든지 vs. ~던지 Trap

든지 = Choice/Selection. 던지 = Past Recollection/Exclamation.

Overusing with Nouns

Remember to add '이' for consonant-ending nouns (e.g., '밥이든지' not '밥든지').

Another error is forgetting the second ~든지 in a paired list. While it is grammatically possible to use it once in specific 'any-' constructions (like '누구든지'), when you are listing two specific options, the repetition is what makes the sentence sound balanced and complete. '커피든지 차를 마시자' sounds slightly awkward compared to '커피든지 차든지 마시자.' Additionally, learners sometimes confuse ~든지 with the conditional ~으면. Remember that ~든지 doesn't set a condition for an action to happen; it states that the action will happen regardless of which condition is met. Finally, be careful with formality. In very formal speeches or documents, you might see ~하든가 ~하든가 or ~거나 ~거나, but ~든지 ~든지 is generally safe for most situations. Just avoid the shortened '든' in formal writing. By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the '든' vs '던' spelling—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and sound much more like a native speaker.

Korean has several ways to say 'or' or express choice, and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. The most common alternative to ~든지 ~든지 is ~거나. As mentioned before, ~거나 is more neutral. If you are just listing possibilities without the implication of 'it doesn't matter,' ~거나 is the better choice. For example, '책을 읽거나 음악을 들어요' (I read books or listen to music) is a simple statement of habit. Another similar structure is ~든가 ~든가. This is very similar to ~든지 and is often used interchangeably in casual speech, although some argue it carries a slightly more dismissive or 'choose already' tone. In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter ~건 ~건, which is a contraction of ~거든 ~거든. For example, '가건 말건' (Whether you go or not). This is very concise and often used in set phrases or proverbs. Another option is ~든지 간에, where 간에 (between) is added to emphasize the 'no matter what' aspect. '무엇을 하든지 간에' means 'No matter what you do.'

~거나

Neutral 'or'. Used for simple alternatives. '빵을 먹거나 우유를 마셔요.'

~든가

Casual alternative to ~든지. Can sound slightly more blunt.

~(이)나

Used between nouns for 'or'. '커피나 차 주세요.'

When dealing with nouns, ~(이)나 is the most basic 'or.' '커피나 차' (coffee or tea). However, if you say '커피든지 차든지,' you are adding the nuance of 'either coffee or tea is fine, I don't care which.' This distinction is subtle but important for reaching higher levels of fluency. There is also the expression ~든 뭐든 which means 'or whatever.' For example, '사과든 뭐든 가져와' (Bring an apple or whatever). This is very common in spoken Korean when the speaker is being vague on purpose. For learners, the key is to start with ~든지 ~든지 as your default for 'whether... or...' and then slowly incorporate ~거나 for neutral statements and ~든가 for casual speech. By understanding these alternatives, you can tailor your tone to the specific social context, whether you are being polite, indifferent, or impatient. This variety is what makes Korean such an expressive language, allowing for fine-tuned emotional communication through small grammatical choices.