Regardless of... (-든지 간에)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -든지 간에 to express that the outcome remains the same regardless of the choice or condition.
- Attach -든지 간에 to verb or adjective stems.
- Use it to show that a choice doesn't affect the result: '먹든지 간에 상관없어' (I don't care whether you eat or not).
- Often shortened to -든지 in casual speech.
Overview
At the B2 level, learners move beyond simple declarative sentences and begin to express more complex logical relationships between ideas. The connective ending -든지 간에 (deunji gan-e) is a cornerstone of this transition, allowing you to articulate that a situation or outcome will remain constant regardless of the choices or conditions presented. It conveys a sense of indifference, inclusivity, or unwavering certainty.
While a beginner might say, "I will go. It might rain," a B2 speaker can connect these ideas more fluidly: 비가 오든지 간에 갈 거예요 (Regardless of whether it rains, I will go). The core function of -든지 간에 is to subordinate a clause containing a set of options, marking them as irrelevant to the truth or execution of the main clause.
It's the grammatical equivalent of saying, "no matter the choice between A, B, or C... the result is Z."
This pattern is constructed from two parts: -든지, which lists the options, and 간에 {間에}, which literally means "in the space between." Together, they create the meaning "in the space between any of these choices," underscoring the idea that any option selected from the proposed set leads to the same conclusion. Understanding this structure is key to mastering its nuance, which is far more sophisticated than a simple "or" (-거나). It is used extensively in both spoken and written Korean to show flexibility, make determined statements, and generalize situations.
How This Grammar Works
-든지 간에 functions as a subordinating conjunction. It attaches to a verb, adjective, or noun to create a dependent clause. The information within this clause—the set of choices—is presented as having no bearing on the validity of the independent (main) clause.-든지 itself is thought to have evolved from the combination of the retrospective aspect marker -더- and the particle -ㄴ지, which is used for uncertainty or embedded questions. This origin hints at the meaning: "recalling a set of uncertain possibilities." When you list A든지 B든지, you are effectively saying, "whether it's the observed case of A or the observed case of B, it makes no difference."간에 component reinforces this. 간 {間} is a Hanja character meaning "interval," "space," or "between." Paired with the location marker 에, 간에 means "in the space of" or "among." Thus, a phrase like 가든지 오든지 간에 literally translates to "in the space between the options of going or coming..." This powerfully frames the choices as a bounded set, where any point within that set is equally valid and leads to the same result.- 1Listing Specific, Discrete Options: This is the most direct usage, where you present two or more alternatives. The most common patterns are
A든지 B든지 (간에)for two distinct options, or the idiomaticA든지 말든지 (간에)to mean "whether one does A or not." For example,회의에 참석하든지 말든지 간에, 의견을 미리 보내주세요(Regardless of whether you attend the meeting or not, please send your opinions beforehand).
- 1Generalizing with Question Words: A powerful and frequent application of
-든지is its combination with interrogative pronouns like누구(who),언제(when),어디(where),무엇(what),어떻게(how), and얼마나(how much/many). This pairing creates indefinite pronouns equivalent to the English "-ever" words.
누구든지(nugudeunji): whoever언제든지(eonjedeunji): whenever어디든지(eodideunji): wherever무엇이든지(mueosideunji): whatever
-든지 signals that the main clause applies to the entire, unrestricted category represented by the question word. 누구든지 환영입니다 (Whoever it is, they are welcome). The addition of 간에 here adds emphasis but is often omitted as the meaning is already clear and absolute.-든지 is attached. To discuss past choices, you must use the -았/었- infix. For instance, 어제 공부를 했든지 안 했든지 간에, 오늘 시험은 봐야 한다 (Regardless of whether you studied yesterday or not, you have to take the test today).공부를 하든지 would incorrectly frame it as a present or future choice.Formation Pattern
-든지 간에 is its regular and predictable formation. It does not have irregular forms and attaches directly to the stem of verbs and adjectives, or to nouns with a predictable particle.
-다 ending, and attach -든지 (간에).
먹다 (to eat) | Stem + 든지 간에 | 먹든지 간에 | Regardless of eating |
만들다 (to make) | Stem + 든지 간에 | 만들든지 간에 | Regardless of making |
예쁘다 (to be pretty) | Stem + 든지 간에 | 예쁘든지 간에 | Regardless of being pretty |
좋다 (to be good) | Stem + 든지 간에 | 좋든지 간에 | Regardless of being good |
이/가.
-(이)든지 (간에) where the 이 is often omitted, resulting in + 든지.
-이든지 (간에).
사과 (apple) | Noun + 든지 간에 | 사과든지 배든지 간에 | Regardless of it being an apple or a pear |
학생 (student) | Noun + 이든지 간에 | 학생이든지 선생님이든지 | Whether it's a student or a teacher |
-았/었- infix to the verb/adjective stem before attaching -든지 (간에).
보다 (to see) | Stem + 았/었 + 든지 간에 | 봤든지 안 봤든지 간에 | Regardless of having seen it or not |
바쁘다 (to be busy) | Stem + 았/었 + 든지 간에 | 바빴든지 안 바빴든지 간에 | Regardless of having been busy or not |
A든지 B든지 간에 | 오든지 가든지 간에 | Whether you come or go |
A든지 말든지 간에 | 공부하든지 말든지 간에 | Whether you study or not |
When To Use It
-든지 간에 requires knowing not just how to form it, but the specific communicative situations it suits. It is primarily used to express three related concepts: indifference, determination, and generalization.- When making plans with friends:
영화든지 연극이든지 간에 저는 다 좋아요. 정아 씨가 보고 싶은 걸로 봐요.(Whether it's a movie or a play, I'm fine with anything. Let's watch what you want to see, Junga.) - Deciding on food:
짜장면을 먹든지 짬뽕을 먹든지 상관없으니 빨리 주문합시다.(It doesn't matter whether we eat Jjajangmyeon or Jjamppong, so let's just order quickly.)
-든지 clause can stop it. This conveys a strong sense of resolve or certainty.- At work, discussing a project:
프로젝트가 어렵든지 쉽든지 간에, 우리는 마감일을 지켜야 합니다.(Regardless of whether the project is difficult or easy, we must meet the deadline.) - Personal goals:
사람들이 뭐라고 말하든지 간에 저는 제 꿈을 포기하지 않을 거예요.(No matter what people say, I will not give up on my dream.)
-든지 with question words, you create a statement that applies to all members of a set (all people, all places, all times, etc.).언제든지(Whenever): Feel free to express open availability.궁금한 게 있으면 언제든지 연락 주세요.(If you have any questions, please contact me anytime.)어디든지(Wherever): Useful for discussing location with flexibility.주말에는 어디든지 조용한 곳으로 여행 가고 싶어요.(On the weekend, I want to travel anywhere that's quiet.)누구든지(Whoever): Often used in rules or invitations.파티에 오고 싶은 사람은 누구든지 환영입니다.(Anyone who wants to come to the party is welcome.)무엇이든지(Whatever): Shows complete openness to options.먹고 싶은 거 있으면 무엇이든지 말만 하세요.(If there's something you want to eat, just say whatever it is.)
간에 is frequently omitted in speech because the total inclusivity is already strongly implied by the question word + -든지 combination.Common Mistakes
-든지 (Indifference) with -거나 (Simple Choice)-거나simply lists two or more alternative actions or states. It functions like a simple "or." The choice is relevant.저는 주말에 보통 영화를 보거나 친구를 만나요.(On weekends, I usually watch a movie or meet friends.) — These are my two alternative activities.
-든지states that the choice between options is irrelevant to the main clause.저는 주말에 영화를 보든지 친구를 만나든지 간에, 항상 저녁 8시에는 집에 돌아와요.(On weekends, whether I watch a movie or meet friends, I always come back home at 8 PM.) — The end result (coming home at 8) is unaffected by the choice of activity.
-거나 | 취미는 등산이든지 독서입니다. (X) |-든지 간에 | 비가 오거나 눈이 오거나 등산을 갈 겁니다. (Grammatically possible, but -든지 is much more natural and clear for expressing "regardless of") |-든지 clause, leading to logical confusion. The tense must reflect when the choice occurred.- Incorrect:
어제 그가 저녁을 먹든지 안 먹든지 간에, 나는 신경 안 써.(X)
- Correct:
어제 그가 저녁을 먹었든지 안 먹었든지 간에, 나는 신경 안 써.(O)
-든지 with -ㄴ/은/는지 (Embedded Questions)-든지 and -는지 trips up many learners. Their functions are completely different.-ㄴ/은/는지is used to embed a question (who, what, where, when, why, how, whether) inside a larger sentence. It's about seeking or stating knowledge.그 사람이 어디에 가는지 알아요?(Do you know where that person is going?)날씨가 좋은지 모르겠어요.(I don't know if/whether the weather is good.)
-든지is about indifference to the options.그 사람이 어디에 가든지 간에, 우리는 우리 계획대로 해야 해요.(Wherever that person goes, we have to proceed with our plan.)날씨가 좋든지 나쁘든지 간에, 소풍은 예정대로 진행됩니다.(Regardless of whether the weather is good or bad, the picnic will proceed as scheduled.)
-이- with consonant-ending nouns is a clear marker of a non-native speaker.- Incorrect:
책든지 영화든지...(X) - Correct:
책이든지 영화든지...(O)
Real Conversations
Textbook examples are clean, but real-world usage is faster and more contextual. Here’s how -든지 appears in modern, everyday Korean.
Scenario 1
민준
오늘 저녁 다들 뭐 먹고 싶어?(What does everyone want to eat for dinner tonight?)
서연
나는 아무거나 괜찮아. 배고파서 뭐든지 다 맛있을 듯 ㅋㅋ(I'm fine with anything. I'm so hungry, I think whatever it is will be delicious lol)
지훈
피자 어때? 아니면 치킨?(How about pizza? Or chicken?)
서연
오, 좋아. 피자든지 치킨이든지 난 상관없어. 빨리 시키기나 하자.(Oh, sounds good. I don't care whether it's pizza or chicken. Let's just hurry up and order.)
Breakdown
뭐든지 (whatever) to show total flexibility. When presented with specific options, she uses 피자든지 치킨이든지 to confirm her indifference and press for action. Note the omission of 간에, which is typical for fast-paced texting.Scenario 2
팀장 (Team Lead): 이번 마케팅 캠페인, 어떤 채널에 집중하는 게 좋을까요? 유튜브? 인스타그램?
(For this marketing campaign, which channel should we focus on? YouTube? Instagram?)
대리 (Assistant Manager): 제 생각에는, 유튜브든지 인스타그램이든지 간에 중요한 것은 콘텐츠의 질입니다. 타겟 고객층이 두 플랫폼 모두에 있기 때문에, 채널 선택보다는 콘텐츠 자체에 집중해야 한다고 봅니다.
(In my opinion, regardless of whether it's YouTube or Instagram, the important thing is the quality of the content. Our target audience is on both platforms, so I believe we should focus on the content itself rather than the choice of channel.)
Breakdown
A든지 B든지 간에 form to sound professional and thorough. It respectfully acknowledges the options presented by the team lead but pivots the focus to a more important, overriding factor.Scenario 3
Image
Caption
결과가 좋든지 나쁘든지, 마지막까지 최선을 다했다는 사실이 중요하다. #도전 #노력 #과정(Whether the result is good or bad, the fact that I did my best until the very end is what's important. #challenge #effort #process)
Breakdown
-든지 to express a philosophical stance. The outcome (good/bad result) is framed as irrelevant compared to the more valued principle of effort. It demonstrates resilience and maturity.Quick FAQ
-든지 and -든?-든 is a widely accepted contraction of -든지. In contemporary Korean, they are used almost interchangeably, with -든 being more common in casual speech and even in a good deal of writing. For formal academic writing or exams, using the full -든지 form is the safest choice, but in conversation, you will hear -든 constantly. For example, 가든 말든 is just as common as 가든지 말든지.
간에?In casual speech, yes, it's very common to omit 간에. 커피든지 주스든지 괜찮아요 is perfectly natural. However, keeping 간에 adds a layer of emphasis and can make your sentence sound more complete or formal. In writing or in a professional setting, including 간에 can add weight to your statement: A든지 B든지 간에, 원칙은 동일하게 적용됩니다. (Whether it's A or B, the principle is applied equally.)
안 for negation instead of -말든지?Yes, you can. 공부를 하든지 안 하든지 is grammatically correct and carries the same meaning as 공부를 하든지 말든지 (whether you study or not). However, the -든지 말든지 pattern is a highly common, fixed idiomatic expression in Korean, so you will hear it far more frequently.
-든지 간에 different from -ㄹ/을지라도 (even if)?This is a subtle but important distinction for advanced learners. -든지 간에 presents a set of known, often equivalent, choices (coffee or tea). -ㄹ/을지라도 introduces a single, often more extreme or less likely, hypothetical condition that is being overcome. It is more literary and emphatic. Compare:
비가 오든지 눈이 오든지 간에 갈 것이다.(Realistic choices: rain/snow. I'll go.)하늘이 무너질지라도 나는 내 길을 가겠다.(Extreme hypothetical: even if the sky falls, I will go my way.)
No. -든지 간에 is exclusively a connective structure used in declarative or imperative sentences to link a condition of choice to a main clause. It makes a statement about the irrelevance of those choices. To ask about choices, you would use patterns like A-ㄹ/을래요, B-ㄹ/을래요? (Which do you want to do, A or B?) or A예요, B예요? (Is it A or B?).
Formation Table
| Base | Conjugation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가든지 간에
|
Regardless of going
|
|
먹다
|
먹든지 간에
|
Regardless of eating
|
|
춥다
|
춥든지 간에
|
Regardless of being cold
|
|
예쁘다
|
예쁘든지 간에
|
Regardless of being pretty
|
|
했다
|
했든지 간에
|
Regardless of having done
|
|
안 하다
|
안 하든지 간에
|
Regardless of not doing
|
Shortened Forms
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
-든지 간에
|
-든지
|
Meanings
This grammar structure indicates that the truth or outcome of the main clause is unaffected by the choice or situation described in the preceding clause.
Indifference to choice
Expressing that the speaker does not care which option is chosen.
“가든지 간에 마음대로 해.”
“좋든지 간에 싫든지 간에 해야 해.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + 든지 간에
|
가든지 간에
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + 지 않든지 간에
|
가지 않든지 간에
|
|
Past
|
Stem + 었/았든지 간에
|
갔었든지 간에
|
|
Question
|
Stem + 든지 간에 (implied)
|
누가 오든지 간에?
|
|
Shortened
|
Stem + 든지
|
가든지
|
|
Noun
|
Noun + 이든(지) 간에
|
학생이든 간에
|
Formality Spectrum
무엇을 하시든지 간에 상관없습니다. (General)
무엇을 하든지 간에 상관없어요. (General)
뭐 하든지 간에 상관없어. (General)
뭐 하든 말든. (General)
Indifference Concept
Conditions
- 비 Rain
- 눈 Snow
- 바람 Wind
Examples by Level
가든지 간에.
Go or not (I don't care).
먹든지 간에.
Eat or not.
자든지 간에.
Sleep or not.
오든지 간에.
Come or not.
비가 오든지 간에 갈 거예요.
Regardless of whether it rains, I will go.
좋든지 간에 싫든지 간에 해야 해요.
Whether you like it or not, you must do it.
누가 말하든지 간에 상관없어요.
It doesn't matter who says it.
어디에 있든지 간에 연락해요.
Wherever you are, contact me.
그가 사과하든지 간에 용서하지 않을 것이다.
Regardless of whether he apologizes, I will not forgive him.
성적이 좋든지 간에 나쁘든지 간에 최선을 다했다.
Whether the grades were good or bad, I did my best.
무슨 일이 일어나든지 간에 우리는 준비되어 있다.
No matter what happens, we are prepared.
시간이 얼마나 걸리든지 간에 끝낼 거예요.
No matter how long it takes, I will finish it.
정부의 정책이 바뀌든지 간에 우리의 목표는 동일하다.
Regardless of whether the government policy changes, our goal remains the same.
상대방이 동의하든지 간에 이 계약은 유효합니다.
Whether the other party agrees or not, this contract is valid.
어떤 어려움이 있든지 간에 우리는 포기하지 않을 것입니다.
No matter what difficulties arise, we will not give up.
그가 무엇을 선택하든지 간에 결과는 바뀌지 않습니다.
Whatever he chooses, the result does not change.
대중의 여론이 어떠하든지 간에 진실은 변하지 않는다.
Regardless of public opinion, the truth does not change.
그의 과거가 어떠했든지 간에 현재의 행동이 중요하다.
Whatever his past was, his current actions are what matter.
상황이 어떻게 전개되든지 간에 우리는 대비책을 마련해야 한다.
No matter how the situation unfolds, we must prepare a contingency plan.
어느 쪽을 선택하든지 간에 기회비용은 발생하기 마련이다.
Whichever side you choose, opportunity cost is bound to occur.
천지가 개벽하든지 간에 나의 신념은 흔들리지 않을 것이다.
Even if the heavens and earth were to be created anew, my conviction will not waver.
그가 어떤 변명을 늘어놓든지 간에 이미 신뢰는 깨졌다.
No matter what excuses he may spin, the trust is already broken.
역사의 수레바퀴가 어떻게 구르든지 간에 인간의 본성은 변치 않는다.
However the wheel of history may turn, human nature remains unchanged.
누가 무엇을 주장하든지 간에 이 원칙은 절대적이다.
Whoever may claim what, this principle is absolute.
Easily Confused
Both involve choices.
Common Mistakes
가거나 간에
가든지 간에
먹었든지
먹었든지 간에
비가 오면 간에
비가 오든지 간에
그가 말한든지
그가 말하든지
Sentence Patterns
___든지 간에 상관없어요.
Real World Usage
뭐 먹든지 간에 상관없어.
Use with 상관없다
Smart Tips
Use -든지 간에.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'g' in 간에 is often softened in fast speech.
Flat
가든지 간에↗
Neutral statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Don't-Care-Zone'. Whatever happens inside the zone (the -든지 part) doesn't touch the outside (the result).
Visual Association
Imagine a shield. Arrows (conditions) hit the shield but bounce off, and the person behind the shield (the result) stays exactly the same.
Rhyme
Whatever you do, whatever you say, the result stays the same anyway.
Story
Min-su was told he had to clean his room. He said, 'Whether I clean it or not, I'm going out!' His mom said, 'Whether you go out or not, you're grounded.' Both used the logic of indifference.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using -든지 간에 about things you don't care about.
Cultural Notes
Used to show firm resolve in professional settings.
Derived from the verb '하다' (to do) and '간' (interval/space).
Conversation Starters
오늘 날씨가 안 좋은데 나갈 거예요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
비가 오___ 간에 갈 거예요.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises비가 오___ 간에 갈 거예요.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercises어떻게 ______ 간에 결과가 중요해요.
가든지 / 오든지 / 간에 / 상관없어요
어디에 ______ 간에.
누구든지에 간에 물어보세요.
무슨 일이 ______ 항상 웃으세요!
Match these pairs:
그 영화를 ______ 안 봤든지 간에 줄거리를 말해줄게.
고양이든지 강아지______ 괜찮아요.
좋아하든지 ______ 간에 해야 돼.
내가 / 무엇을 / 말하든지 / 간에
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
Yes, use -이든(지) 간에.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No importa si...
Korean uses a suffix, Spanish uses a phrase.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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