Whether, Any, Or (든지/든가)
든지 when listing options to show that any choice leads to the same outcome or indifference.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -든지 or -든가 to express that the choice between options doesn't matter or is irrelevant to the outcome.
- Use -든지 for neutral choices: '가든지 오든지 하세요' (Whether you go or come, just do it).
- Use -든가 for slightly more casual or questioning tones: '먹든가 말든가' (Eat it or don't, I don't care).
- Always attach to the verb stem: '가다' becomes '가든지'.
Overview
Have you ever been so indecisive that your friends started a group chat without you just to pick a restaurant? Whether you eat pizza, chicken, or just plain grass, you just can't decide. In Korean, we have a perfect way to express that "I don't care" or "pick whatever" vibe.
It's called 든지 (or its slightly more casual cousin 든가). This grammar is the ultimate tool for listing options or saying that the specific choice doesn't actually matter. It’s like the shrug emoji in word form.
If you’ve ever used "whichever" or "wherever" in English, you’re already halfway to mastering this.
This grammar pattern is all about choice and indifference. You use it when you have two or more options. It signals that picking any of them leads to the same result.
You can also use it with question words like 누구 (who) or 어디 (where). In that context, it turns them into "anyone" or "anywhere." It’s incredibly common in daily life. You'll hear it in K-Dramas when a character is being stubborn.
You'll see it on Instagram captions about living life regardless of what others think. Think of it as the "any" or "whether" connector. It bridges the gap between different possibilities without favoring one.
It’s friendly but can also be a bit blunt if you’re not careful. Just like choosing between Netflix or Disney+, the choice is yours.
How This Grammar Works
든지 attaches to verbs, adjectives, or nouns. You usually repeat it for each option you list. For example, 가든지 오든지 means "whether you go or come." You can also use just one 든지 if the other option is implied or negative.든 in fast speech. It doesn’t change based on batchim (final consonants) which is a huge win for your brain. You just slap it onto the stem and you’re good to go.든가. They are basically twins, but 든가 has a bit more "whatever" energy. Imagine someone asking where to eat and you reply with 어디든가 (wherever)—it feels a bit more dismissive than 어디든지.든지 for a safer, more standard feel. It’s the reliable friend of Korean grammar.Formation Pattern
다 from the dictionary form. For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹.
든지 directly to that stem. No need to worry about vowels or consonants. 먹 + 든지 = 먹든지.
먹든지 마시든지 (Whether you eat or drink).
이든지 if the noun ends in a consonant. Attach 든지 if it ends in a vowel. 학생 + 이든지 = 학생이든지 (Whether you're a student...). 커피 + 든지 = 커피든지 (Whether it's coffee...).
갔다 becomes 갔 + 든지 = 갔든지 (Whether you went...).
상관없어요 (it doesn't matter) or 마음대로 하세요 (do as you please). It’s like adding a period to your indifference.
When To Use It
든지 territory. Another huge use case is with interrogative words.뭐든지 means "anything." 어디든지 means "anywhere." 언제든지 means "anytime." Use these when you want to be super accommodating. If your crush asks when you want to meet, reply with 언제든지요 (Anytime!). It makes you sound very flexible and cool.뭐든지 골라 (Pick whatever). It’s also great for social media captions.사람들이 뭐라 하든지.... It gives off that strong, independent vibe that’s very popular on TikTok right now. Just don't use it too much with your boss, or they might think you don't care about your job!Common Mistakes
든지 with 던지. This is the single most common mistake even native Koreans make in texts! 던지 is for past experiences that caused a certain result or feeling. It’s often used with an exclamation or a sense of "wow." For example, 얼마나 춥던지! (It was so cold!). 든지 is for choices and options. If you write 뭐던지 on an exam, your teacher might cry a little bit. Another mistake is forgetting to repeat the 든지 when listing options. While you can sometimes drop the second one, it sounds much more natural to keep both. Also, watch your politeness levels. Saying 아무거나 먹든지 to your grandmother might sound a bit rude. Use 아무거나 드시든지요 if you want to stay in the will. Finally, don't use it for simple "or" when you're just stating a fact. Use 거나 for that. 든지 specifically highlights the "doesn't matter" or "whether" aspect.Contrast With Similar Patterns
든지 vs 거나: This is the classic battle. 거나 is a simple "or." Use it for facts. "I usually read a book or watch a movie." 든지 is more about the choice being irrelevant.거나 is factual; 든지 is conditional/indifferent. Then there’s 든지 vs 든가.든가 is more colloquial and can sometimes sound a bit more "shrug-ish." It's very common in spoken Korean but rare in formal writing. Lastly, contrast it with 나/이나 for nouns. 나 is just a simple "or" between two nouns.든지 emphasizes that either noun is fine. If you say 빵이나 밥을 먹어요, you're just choosing. If you say 빵이든지 밥이든지 다 좋아요, you're emphasizing your total flexibility.Quick FAQ
Can I use 든지 with just one option?
Yes! You can say 가든지 말든지 (Whether you go or not). The 말든지 represents the negative option. It’s a very common way to say "I don't care if you do it or not."
Is 든가 rude?
Not inherently, but it sounds more casual. In a professional setting, stick to 든지. Using 든가 with a superior might make you sound like you have an attitude problem.
What’s the difference between 뭐든지 and 아무거나?
They are very similar. 뭐든지 is "anything/whatever" and focuses on the lack of restriction. 아무거나 is "anything" and focuses on the random selection. In many cases, they are interchangeable.
Can I use this in the past tense?
Definitely. 공부를 했든지 안 했든지 (Whether you studied or not). It works perfectly for reflecting on past choices where the result is the same now.
Why do I see people writing 던지 then?
Because spelling is hard! Even for native speakers. Just remember: 든 is for choosing (Choose = 선택 -> ㄴ is in both). Okay, that's a weak mnemonic, but keep reading for a better one!
Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Stem + 든지 | 가든지 | Whether you go |
| Adjective Stem + 든지 | 예쁘든지 | Whether it's pretty |
| Noun (Ending in vowel) + 든지 | 사과든지 | Whether it's an apple |
| Noun (Ending in consonant) + 이든지 | 수박이든지 | Whether it's a watermelon |
| Past Tense + 든지 | 먹었든지 | Whether you ate |
| Interrogative + 든지 | 어디든지 | Anywhere |
Politeness Levels
Formal (합쇼체)
하시든지요 - Used in presentations or very formal speeches. Rare.
Polite (해요체)
하시든지요 / 하든지요 - Standard polite way to offer options or show flexibility.
Casual (해체)
하든지 / 하든가 - Used with friends, siblings, or people younger than you. Very common.
Social Context
Use 든지 in your Instagram bio or when texting friends about plans. Use 든지요 if a waiter asks for your preference and you're feeling flexible.
Memory Trick
Think of the "D" in 든지 as standing for "Doesn't matter." If you are listing things and it Doesn't matter which one happens, use 든지. Conversely, 던지 (the one people mix it up with) has an "O" sound (in the romanization 'eo')—think of it as "Oh!" for reflecting on a past surprise. 든지 = Decide (or don't, because it doesn't matter!).
Real Conversations
Speaker A
Speaker B
(A: What should we eat tomorrow? Pizza? Chicken? B: Whether it's pizza or chicken, it's all good. You pick.)
Speaker A
Speaker B
(A: It says it'll rain this weekend. Can we go on the trip? B: Whether it rains or snows, I'm definitely going!)
Progressive Practice
Combine 가다 and 든지 to say "Whether you go."
Use 어디 with 든지 to say "Anywhere."
Create a full sentence: "Whether you study or play, it's your choice."
Try a casual version using 든가 with your friend: "Buy it or not, I don't care."
Use the past tense: "Whether I ate or not, I'm still hungry."
Verb Conjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
든지
|
가든지
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
든지
|
먹든지
|
|
하다
|
하
|
든지
|
하든지
|
|
오다
|
오
|
든지
|
오든지
|
|
자다
|
자
|
든지
|
자든지
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
든지
|
읽든지
|
Meanings
These endings indicate that the speaker is indifferent to the choice between two or more options, or that the result remains the same regardless of the choice.
Indifference
The choice between options is irrelevant to the speaker.
“가든지 말든지 마음대로 해.”
“비가 오든지 눈이 오든지 갈 거야.”
Exemplification
Listing options as examples of a range.
“무엇을 먹든지 다 맛있어요.”
“누구를 만나든지 친절하게 대해요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 든지
|
가든지
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 지 않든지
|
가지 않든지
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 았/었든지
|
갔든지
|
|
Question
|
Question Word + 든지
|
무엇을 하든지
|
|
Choice
|
A + 든지 B + 든지
|
먹든지 마시든지
|
|
Indifference
|
Verb + 든지 말든지
|
가든지 말든지
|
Formality Spectrum
가시든지 말든지 상관없습니다. (Indifference)
가든지 말든지 상관없어요. (Indifference)
가든 말든 상관없어. (Indifference)
가든 말든 알 바 아냐. (Indifference)
The Choice Map
Action
- 가다 Go
- 오다 Come
Result
- 상관없다 Doesn't matter
Examples by Level
가든지 오든지 하세요.
Whether you go or come, just do it.
먹든지 마시든지 하세요.
Eat or drink, whatever.
자든지 놀든지 해.
Sleep or play, do it.
사든지 말든지.
Buy it or don't.
무엇을 하든지 열심히 해요.
Whatever you do, do it hard.
어디를 가든지 연락하세요.
Wherever you go, contact me.
누구를 만나든지 친절하세요.
Whoever you meet, be kind.
언제 오든지 괜찮아요.
Whenever you come, it's fine.
비가 오든지 눈이 오든지 갈 거예요.
Whether it rains or snows, I will go.
좋든지 싫든지 해야 합니다.
Whether you like it or not, you must do it.
그 사람이 알든지 모르든지 상관없어요.
Whether he knows or not, I don't care.
공부하든지 일을 하든지 선택하세요.
Choose whether to study or work.
그가 오든가 말든가 신경 안 써.
Whether he comes or not, I don't care.
이것을 하든가 저것을 하든가 빨리 결정해.
Do this or that, decide quickly.
먹든가 말든가 네 마음대로 해.
Eat it or don't, do as you please.
가든가 말든가 나랑 상관없어.
Go or don't, it has nothing to do with me.
어떤 상황이든지 우리는 준비되어 있다.
Whatever the situation, we are prepared.
그가 무엇을 말하든지 믿지 않을 것이다.
Whatever he says, I will not believe it.
어느 쪽을 선택하든지 결과는 같다.
Whichever side you choose, the result is the same.
누가 보든지 말든지 상관하지 마라.
Whether anyone sees or not, don't worry about it.
설령 그가 오든지 말든지, 나는 내 길을 갈 것이다.
Even if he comes or not, I will go my way.
그것이 사실이든지 아니든지 간에, 이미 늦었다.
Whether it is true or not, it is already too late.
어떠한 고난이 닥치든지 굴하지 않겠다.
Whatever hardship comes, I will not yield.
그가 무엇을 원하든지 나는 들어줄 수 없다.
Whatever he wants, I cannot grant it.
Easily Confused
They sound similar but have different meanings.
Both mean 'or'.
They are often interchangeable.
Common Mistakes
사과든지 배든지
사과를 먹든지 배를 먹든지
가다든지
가든지
가던지
가든지
먹거나든지
먹든지
어디 가든지
어디를 가든지
비가 오던지
비가 오든지
좋던지 싫던지
좋든지 싫든지
했든지 안 했든지
했든 안 했든
가든가 말든가 하세요
가든가 말든가 해
무엇을 하든가
무엇을 하든지
그가 오든지 말든지
그가 오든 말든
어떤 상황이든가
어떤 상황이든지
누가 보든가 말든가
누가 보든지 말든지
Sentence Patterns
___든지 ___든지 하세요.
무엇을 ___든지 괜찮아요.
좋든지 ___든지 상관없어요.
어디를 ___든지 연락해 주세요.
Real World Usage
가든 말든 맘대로 해.
어디를 가든지 행복하세요.
어떤 업무든지 잘 수행하겠습니다.
피자든지 파스타든지 상관없어요.
언제 오든지 괜찮습니다.
알든지 말든지!
Pairing
Spelling
Shortening
Tone
Smart Tips
Pair the verb with its negative form.
Use a question word before the verb.
Use the full -든지 form.
Repeat the structure.
Pronunciation
Assimilation
The 'j' sound in -든지 can soften to a 'ch' sound in fast speech.
Flat
가든지 말든지 →
Neutral indifference
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'den-ji' as 'denial of choice'—the choice doesn't matter!
Visual Association
Imagine a fork in the road where both paths lead to the same beautiful castle. You don't care which path you take.
Rhyme
Whether you go or whether you stay, -든지 makes it go your way.
Story
Min-su couldn't decide on dinner. His mom said, 'Eat pizza or eat pasta, just eat!' She used -든지 to show that the specific food didn't matter, only the act of eating.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences today using -든지 to describe choices you don't care about.
Cultural Notes
Using -든지 can sound dismissive if not paired with a polite verb ending.
Derived from the verb '하다' (to do) combined with connective particles.
Conversation Starters
오늘 점심 뭐 먹을까요?
주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
그 친구가 올까요?
어떤 일을 하고 싶어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
가___ 오___ 하세요.
그가 (오든지/오던지) 말든지 상관없다.
Find and fix the mistake:
사과든지 배든지.
가거나 오거나 하세요.
-든지 is for past recollection.
A: 뭐 먹을래? B: ___.
비 / 오다 / 가다
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises가___ 오___ 하세요.
그가 (오든지/오던지) 말든지 상관없다.
Find and fix the mistake:
사과든지 배든지.
가거나 오거나 하세요.
-든지 is for past recollection.
A: 뭐 먹을래? B: ___.
비 / 오다 / 가다
가든지 말든지
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWhether you study or not, it's your choice.
_______ 괜찮아요.
상관없어 / 누구 / 오든지 / 가
Match the items:
비가 오던지 말던지 갈 거예요.
Which one sounds most casual?
학생_______ 선생님_______ 다 참여할 수 있어요.
Call me anytime.
무슨 / 일이 / 다 / 하든지 / 일어나든지
Choose the indifferent response:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it must attach to a verb or adjective stem.
No, -든지 implies indifference, -거나 is a simple choice.
Yes, e.g., '갔든지 안 갔든지'.
It can be if used with a blunt tone.
-든가 is more casual/blunt.
Yes, it is very common.
They sound similar; remember -던지 is for past memory.
Yes, in reports or essays.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
sea como sea
Korean uses a connective ending, Spanish uses a phrase.
peu importe
Korean attaches the grammar to the verb directly.
egal
Korean is a suffix, German is a standalone word.
～ても
The structure is very similar in function.
سواء
Syntax placement is different.
无论
Korean is a suffix, Chinese is a prefix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Do it or don't (-deunji maldeunji)
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