Unexpected Results: Even After Doing... (-고도)
-고도 to link a completed action with a surprising or contradictory result that follows it.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -고도 to express that an action was completed, yet an unexpected or contrary result followed.
- Attach -고도 directly to the verb or adjective stem: 먹다 -> 먹고도.
- The first clause must be an action or state that logically precedes the second.
- The second clause must contain a result that contradicts the expectation set by the first.
Overview
In Korean grammar, expressing contrast is a multi-layered skill. While simpler forms like -지만 (-jiman, but) state a basic opposition, the C2-level connector -고도 (-godo) operates on a higher plane of logic and emotion. It is the grammar of the unexpected plot twist, the illogical outcome, and the violated expectation.
You use -고도 to connect a fully completed action or a fully realized state with a subsequent result that seems to defy it. Its core function is to express surprise, disbelief, criticism, or even admiration when a consequence doesn't follow its presumed cause. It translates to 'even after doing X,' 'despite having done X,' or '...and yet...'.
Imagine a colleague who reads a detailed report you sent them and then asks a question that was explicitly answered on the first page. You wouldn't just think, "You read it, but you have a question." You'd think, "Even after reading it, you're asking that?" This feeling of incredulity is precisely what -고도 captures. It highlights the failure of the initial action (reading the report) to produce the expected outcome (understanding the contents).
Mastering -고도 means moving beyond simple factual contrast and into the nuanced world of expressing a speaker's subjective reaction to a sequence of events.
At its heart, -고도 implies that the speaker has processed the first event, considered its logical implications, and is now confronted with a second event that shatters those implications. It is this collision between expectation and reality that gives the pattern its unique emotional weight. Whether that emotion is frustration, as in 약속을 하고도 나타나지 않았다 (He made a promise and yet didn't show up), or admiration, as in 수많은 실패를 하고도 결국 성공했다 (Even after failing countless times, he eventually succeeded), the underlying mechanism is the same: the outcome was not what was supposed to happen.
How This Grammar Works
-고도 is built on a specific and crucial sequence: Action A is fully completed, and yet Result B, which should not logically follow A, occurs. The structure's power comes from its two components. The particle -고 (-go) is a fundamental connective indicating sequence ('and then'), establishing that the first action is finished. The addition of the particle -도 (-do), which means 'also' or 'even,' injects the sense of surprise and exceptionalism.-는데도 (-neundedo), where two states can exist simultaneously. With -고도, the first action is a closed chapter, which makes the subsequent, contradictory event all the more striking. It focuses on the ineffectiveness of the first action.-고도 is the perfect tool to describe this failure of cause-and-effect.- Formula:
[Verb Stem / Adjective Stem / Noun + 이-] + -고도 + [Unexpected Consequence]
비싼 돈을 내고도 서비스가 엉망이었다. (Even after paying a high price, the service was terrible). The action of 'paying a high price' is completed. The logical expectation is high-quality service.-고도 frames this not as a simple fact, but as a frustrating and illogical experience. It carries the speaker's judgment that the money paid was effectively wasted, failing to secure the expected result.사과를 하고도 용서받지 못했다. (He apologized, and yet he was not forgiven) emphasizes that the act of apology was fully performed but failed in its social function to elicit forgiveness.Formation Pattern
-고도 are refreshingly straightforward and consistent. The single most critical rule to internalize is the absence of the past-tense infix. The structure's inherent meaning of a completed first action makes a dedicated past tense marker redundant and grammatically incorrect.
-고도 directly to the verb or adjective stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
-았/었/했- before -고도. The sequential nature of -고 already establishes that the first action is complete relative to the second. This is a common error for learners who are mapping tense from their native language directly onto Korean.
-고도 to the copula 이다 (to be). The stem of 이다 is 이-. Therefore, the pattern is Noun + -이고도.
보고도 못 본 척해. / 보고도 못 본 척합니다. |
그렇게 먹고도 배고파? / 그렇게 먹고도 배고픕니까? |
몸에 좋고도 맛은 없어. / 몸에 좋고도 맛은 없습니다. |
집이 크고도 추워 보여. / 집이 크고도 추워 보입니다. |
의사이고도 자기 건강은 못 챙겨. / 의사이고도 자기 건강은 못 챙깁니다. |
학생이고도 공부를 안 해. / 학생이고도 공부를 안 합니다. |
When To Use It
-고도 requires understanding its common functional contexts, which range from expressing personal feelings to making objective but loaded statements. While the core logic remains the same, the nuance shifts depending on the situation.알람을 5개나 맞추고도 지각을 했어.(I set five alarms and yet I was still late.)지도를 보고도 길을 잃어버렸습니다.(Even after looking at the map, I got lost.)그는 정답을 알고도 대답하지 않았다.(He knew the answer, and yet he didn't respond.)
-고도 carries a distinct tone of criticism or accusation. It highlights a person's failure to act according to the knowledge, duty, or social expectation they possessed. The implication is that the person should have known better.위험하다는 말을 듣고도 그곳에 갔다고?(You're saying you went there even after hearing it was dangerous?)설명서를 다 읽고도 조립을 못 하는 게 말이 돼?(Does it make sense that you can't assemble it even after reading the entire manual?)자기가 잘못하고도 사과 한마디 없었다.(He was in the wrong, and yet there wasn't a single word of apology.)
-고도 is also powerfully used to describe positive results that were unexpected due to difficult preceding circumstances. Here, the nuance shifts from frustration to admiration and awe. The first clause establishes a significant obstacle, making the successful outcome in the second clause all the more impressive.그는 큰 병을 앓고도 희망을 잃지 않았습니다.(Even after suffering a serious illness, he did not lose hope.)가난한 환경에서 자라고도 세계적인 학자가 되었다.(He grew up in a poor environment and yet became a world-renowned scholar.)연습을 거의 못 하고도 경기에서 우승했다.(Even after barely being able to practice, she won the competition.)
-고도 can link two adjectives to mean "X and yet also Y," or "not only X but also Y in a surprising way." This usage deviates from the sequential action model. It adds emphasis and highlights a pleasing or interesting contrast of qualities in a single entity. The nuance is about the harmonious coexistence of two seemingly different traits.그녀의 글은 화려하고도 절제미가 있다.(Her writing is ornate and yet possesses a beauty of restraint.)디자인이 단순하고도 세련된 느낌을 줍니다.(The design is simple and yet gives a sophisticated feeling.)
Common Mistakes
-고도, but with its subtle distinctions from other contrastive connectors. Avoiding these common pitfalls is a key step toward native-like fluency.*먹었고도-고 itself.- Incorrect:
어제 약을 먹었고도 잠이 안 왔어요.(X) - Correct:
어제 약을 먹고도 잠이 안 왔어요.(O) (I took medicine yesterday and yet I couldn't sleep.)
-지만)-지만 (-jiman) is a neutral, all-purpose connector for general contrast. -고도 requires an element of illogicality or surprise. Using it for a mundane or expected contrast sounds unnatural and confusing, as you're adding an emotional layer that doesn't fit.- Unnatural:
열심히 공부하고도 시험에 합격했어요.(I studied hard and yet I passed.) This is strange because passing is the expected result of studying hard. You imply that you, for some reason, fully expected to fail despite your efforts. - Natural (
-어서/아서):열심히 공부해서 시험에 합격했어요.(I studied hard, so I passed.) - Cause and effect. - Natural (
-지만):시험은 합격했지만, 점수가 마음에 안 들어요.(I passed the exam, but I'm not happy with the score.) - Simple contrast.
-는데도)-는데도 (-neundedo) sets a background scene or state that contrasts with the main clause. The two states can be simultaneous. -고도 implies a completed action followed by an illogical result.-고도 (Sequential & Illogical) | -는데도 (Static/Background Contrast) |창문을 닫고도 계속 소음이 들렸다. (I closed the window, and yet the noise continued.) -> The action of closing failed. | 창문이 닫혀 있는데도 계속 소음이 들렸다. (Even though the window was closed, the noise continued.) -> The state of 'closed' contrasts with the state of 'noisy'. |많이 먹고도 배가 고팠다. (Even after eating a lot, I was hungry.) -> The action of eating failed to produce fullness. | 배가 부른데도 계속 먹고 싶었다. (Even though I was full, I wanted to keep eating.) -> The state of 'full' contrasts with the action of 'wanting to eat'. |-고도 can sound confrontational or disrespectful when directed at a superior. Accusing your boss of reading your email and yet not replying is a bold, and often career-limiting, move. In these situations, indirect phrasing is always better.- Risky:
부장님, 제 보고서를 읽고도 피드백이 없으시네요.(Manager, you read my report and yet have no feedback.) - Safer Alternative:
부장님, 혹시 제 보고서 검토해 보셨는지요? 의견이 궁금합니다.(Manager, I was wondering if you've had a chance to review my report? I'm curious about your opinion.)
Real Conversations
Here is how -고도 appears in natural, modern communication, stripped of textbook formality and integrated into everyday life.
Scenario 1
- A: 오늘 점심 샐러드 먹었어. 완전 건강식! ㅋㅋ (Ate a salad for lunch today. Super healthy! lol)
- B: 대박. 난 샐러드 먹고도 저녁에 피자 시켰는데... (Wow. I ate a salad and yet I ordered a pizza for dinner...)
- A: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 그게 바로 나야 (Hahaha that's literally me)
Context:* Speaker B uses -고도 to express the comical failure of their 'healthy' action (eating a salad) to produce the expected behavior (continuing to eat healthy). It's a self-deprecating admission of an illogical act.
Scenario 2
- (Image of a person looking exhausted but holding a marathon medal)
- Caption: 연습을 거의 못 하고도 완주했다는 게 믿기지 않아. 다리가 내 다리가 아닌 느낌. #마라톤 #완주 #기적 (I can't believe I finished the race even after barely practicing. My legs don't feel like my own. #marathon #finished #miracle)
Context:* This is a classic 'achievement against the odds' usage. The lack of practice should logically lead to failure, making the completion of the marathon a surprising, admirable result perfectly suited for -고도.
Scenario 3
- 어제 회의에서 박 과장님이 했던 말 기억나? 자기가 직접 지시하고도 나중에 딴소리를 하더라고. (Do you remember what Manager Park said in the meeting yesterday? He gave the instructions himself and yet later said something completely different.)
Context:* This is a critical use of -고도. It highlights the inconsistency and perceived unfairness of the manager's actions. The act of 'giving instructions' was completed, making the later denial of it illogical and frustrating for the speaker.
Quick FAQ
-고도 different from -고서도?In most conversational contexts, -고도 (-godo) and -고서도 (-goseodo) are virtually interchangeable. They carry the same meaning of an unexpected result following a completed action. Some speakers feel that -고서도 adds a slightly stronger emphasis on the sequence of events or can feel a touch more formal or literary, but this is a very subtle nuance. For all practical purposes, you can treat them as synonyms. 알고도 and 알고서도 both mean "even after knowing."
Not at all. While it's frequently used for frustrating or negative outcomes, the core meaning is unexpected, not necessarily negative. An unexpectedly positive result is a perfect use case, often conveying admiration or awe. For example, 그는 정규 교육을 거의 받지 못하고도 위대한 발명가가 되었다. (He received almost no formal education and yet became a great inventor.) This is a highly positive outcome that defies expectations.
Yes. While the primary function of -고도 relates to a sequential action and its result, when used to connect two adjectives or descriptive verbs, its meaning shifts. It becomes a tool for emphatic description, connecting two qualities that exist simultaneously in one subject, often with a hint of surprising harmony. It means "is X, and is also Y." Example: 그의 목소리는 낮고도 부드러웠다. (His voice was low and yet gentle.) This is more poetic and emphatic than simply saying 낮고 부드러웠다 (was low and gentle).
The heavyweight formal equivalent is -(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고 (-(eu)medo bulguhago), which translates to "despite the fact that..." or "notwithstanding..." You would use this in academic papers, legal documents, and formal news reports. While 여러 번 경고하고도 might appear in a casual report, a formal legal finding would more likely state 여러 번 경고했음에도 불구하고. The latter separates the first clause into a nominalized fact, giving it more objective weight.
알고도 그랬어?This line, "You knew, and you still did it?" is a powerful accusation. The -고도 is critical. It's not just asking for confirmation of facts (알았는데 그랬어?). It implies: "The action of 'knowing' was complete within you. The logical, moral, or emotional consequence of that knowledge should have been not doing the action. By doing it anyway, you have committed a willful betrayal or a shocking transgression." It weaponizes the grammar to accuse the other person of acting illogically and hurtfully, making it a staple of dramatic confrontations.
Conjugation of -고도
| Verb/Adjective | Stem | Suffix | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
-고도
|
먹고도
|
|
가다
|
가
|
-고도
|
가고도
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
-고도
|
읽고도
|
|
예쁘다
|
예쁘
|
-고도
|
예쁘고도
|
|
하다
|
하
|
-고도
|
하고도
|
|
만들다
|
만들
|
-고도
|
만들고도
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses that despite the completion of the action in the first clause, the result in the second clause is contrary to expectation.
Concessive Action
Doing X, but Y happens (contrary to expectation).
“공부를 하고도 시험에 떨어졌다.”
“돈을 많이 쓰고도 만족하지 못했다.”
State Concession
Being in state X, but Y happens.
“어른이 되고도 철이 없다.”
“알고도 모르는 척한다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + 고도
|
먹고도 배고프다
|
|
Past
|
Stem + 았/었 + 고도
|
먹었어도 배고프다
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Stem + 고도
|
안 먹고도 배부르다
|
|
Adjective
|
Stem + 고도
|
예쁘고도 슬프다
|
|
Formal
|
Stem + 고도 + 습니다
|
하고도 모릅니다
|
|
Informal
|
Stem + 고도 + 아/어
|
하고도 몰라
|
Formality Spectrum
사과를 하고도 그들은 여전히 화가 나 있습니다. (Social conflict)
사과를 하고도 그들은 여전히 화가 나 있어요. (Social conflict)
사과를 하고도 걔네는 아직 화가 나 있어. (Social conflict)
사과했는데도 걔네 빡쳐있어. (Social conflict)
The -고도 Logic
Expectation
- Result A Normal Outcome
Reality
- Result B Unexpected Outcome
Examples by Level
먹고도 배고파요.
I ate, but I'm still hungry.
보고도 몰라요.
I saw it, but I don't know.
가고도 못 만났어요.
I went, but I couldn't meet them.
듣고도 잊어버렸어요.
I heard it, but I forgot.
공부를 하고도 시험에 떨어졌어요.
I studied, but I failed the exam.
사과를 하고도 화가 안 풀렸어요.
I apologized, but they are still angry.
돈을 내고도 서비스를 못 받았어요.
I paid, but I didn't get the service.
약속을 하고도 안 왔어요.
We made a promise, but they didn't come.
그는 열심히 일하고도 인정을 못 받았다.
He worked hard but didn't get recognition.
그 사실을 알고도 모른 척했다.
He knew the fact but pretended not to.
여러 번 말하고도 해결이 안 됐다.
I said it many times, but it wasn't solved.
비싼 돈을 주고도 품질이 나쁘다.
I paid a lot, but the quality is bad.
정부의 대책을 보고도 국민들은 불안해한다.
Even after seeing the government's measures, the public is anxious.
수차례 경고를 하고도 그는 행동을 고치지 않았다.
Even after being warned several times, he didn't change his behavior.
모든 증거를 확보하고도 범인을 잡지 못했다.
Even after securing all evidence, they couldn't catch the culprit.
수술을 받고도 회복이 더디다.
Even after the surgery, the recovery is slow.
수십 년간의 연구를 하고도 결론을 내리지 못했다.
Even after decades of research, they couldn't reach a conclusion.
그는 자신의 잘못을 인정하고도 변화를 거부했다.
He acknowledged his mistake but refused to change.
전쟁을 겪고도 평화의 소중함을 모르는가.
Do they not know the value of peace even after experiencing war?
수많은 실패를 하고도 그는 포기하지 않았다.
Even after countless failures, he did not give up.
역사의 교훈을 보고도 같은 실수를 반복하는 인간들.
Humans who repeat the same mistakes even after seeing the lessons of history.
그는 모든 것을 잃고도 여전히 오만함을 유지했다.
Even after losing everything, he maintained his arrogance.
진실을 마주하고도 외면하는 것은 비겁한 일이다.
It is cowardly to turn away even after facing the truth.
수억의 예산을 투입하고도 성과는 미미했다.
Even after investing hundreds of millions in budget, the results were minimal.
Easily Confused
Both are concessive.
Both show contrast.
Both are concessive.
Common Mistakes
먹고도 배불러요.
먹고도 배고파요.
가고도 도착했어요.
가서 도착했어요.
공부하고도 합격했어요.
공부해서 합격했어요.
자고도 피곤해요.
자고 나서도 피곤해요.
비가 오고도 우산을 썼어요.
비가 오는데도 우산을 썼어요.
예쁘고도 못생겼어요.
예쁘지만 못생겼어요.
먹고도 먹었어요.
먹고 또 먹었어요.
그는 화를 내고도 웃었어요.
그는 화를 내면서도 웃었어요.
돈을 쓰고도 가난해요.
돈을 썼는데도 가난해요.
말하고도 안 들었어요.
말했는데도 안 들었어요.
그는 노력하고도 성공했어요.
그는 노력해서 성공했어요.
그 사실을 알고도 몰랐어요.
그 사실을 알고도 모른 척했어요.
그는 죽고도 살았어요.
그는 죽을 뻔하고도 살았어요.
그는 보고도 보았어요.
그는 보고도 못 본 척했어요.
Sentence Patterns
___을/를 하고도 ___이/가 안 됐다.
___을/를 알고도 ___했다.
___을/를 먹고도 ___하다.
___을/를 보고도 ___하지 않았다.
Real World Usage
비싼 돈 주고도 품질 최악임.
검토하고도 실수가 있었습니다.
말하고도 까먹음 ㅋㅋㅋ
정부 대책을 보고도 불안은 여전하다.
지도 보고도 길 잃었어.
리뷰 보고도 시켰는데 맛없네.
Focus on the Action
Don't use for expected results
Use with '모른 척'
Expressing frustration
Smart Tips
Use -고도 to emphasize the lack of result.
Use '알고도' with '모른 척'.
Use -고도 to show disappointment.
Use -고도 to show the apology was insufficient.
Pronunciation
Linking
The '고' and '도' are pronounced clearly. No special assimilation.
Falling
먹고도 ↘
Used for statements of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Go-do' as 'Go do' something, but you still don't get what you want.
Visual Association
Imagine a person running a race (doing the action), crossing the finish line, but finding out the race was cancelled.
Rhyme
When you do and do, but the result is new, use -고도 to tell what's true.
Story
Min-su studied all night. He took the exam. He still failed. He said: '공부를 하고도 떨어졌어!'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you did today that didn't go as planned using -고도.
Cultural Notes
Used to express 'Han' or deep-seated frustration.
Used in apologies to show effort was made.
Used in gossip to highlight hypocrisy.
Derived from the verb connector -고 (and) + the particle -도 (also/even).
Conversation Starters
최근에 노력했는데도 안 된 일이 있나요?
사과를 하고도 용서받지 못한 적이 있나요?
돈을 내고도 서비스를 못 받은 적이 있나요?
진실을 알고도 모른 척한 적이 있나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
공부를 ___ 시험에 떨어졌다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 오고도 우산을 썼다.
사과했다. 용서받지 못했다.
-고도 is used for expected results.
A: 공부 열심히 했어? B: 응, ___ 시험 떨어졌어.
알고도 / 모른 척했다 / 사실을
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises공부를 ___ 시험에 떨어졌다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 오고도 우산을 썼다.
사과했다. 용서받지 못했다.
-고도 is used for expected results.
A: 공부 열심히 했어? B: 응, ___ 시험 떨어졌어.
알고도 / 모른 척했다 / 사실을
Match: 1. 먹고도, 2. 공부하고도, 3. 사과하고도
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises먹고도 / 배가 / 많이 / 밥을 / 고파요 / .
Even after seeing the message, she didn't reply.
Match the following:
내 말을 ___ 못 들은 척해요.
Which of these sounds like a complaint?
커피를 마셨고도 잠이 와요.
He is a genius but still studies hard.
알고도 / 왜 / 진실을 / 말 / 안 / 했어 / ?
술을 ___ 운전을 하면 안 돼요.
Match the adjectives:
Which of these is a plot twist?
돈이 있고도 안 빌려주는 친구가 밉다.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, e.g., '예쁘고도 슬프다'.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Do not use -고도; use -어서/아서.
Use -고도 for actions, -는데도 for situations.
Yes, but it's usually attached to the stem.
Yes, very common for complaints.
Yes, it is very versatile.
To express frustration and irony naturally.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
A pesar de + infinitive
Spanish uses a prepositional phrase, Korean uses a verbal suffix.
Malgré + noun
Korean requires a verb stem.
Trotzdem
German is an adverb, Korean is a connector.
～のに
Japanese -のに is more versatile for states.
尽管...还是...
Korean is a single suffix.
رغم أن
Korean is a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Formal Reasons (-gie)
Overview As a C1-level Korean learner, you are moving beyond basic communication and delving into the nuanced linguistic...
Elegant Additions: Beyond 'Not Only' (-거니와)
Overview At the C2 level of Korean proficiency, moving beyond simple conjunctions is essential for crafting arguments w...
Poetic Persistence: 'If one keeps doing...' (-노라면)
Overview `-노라면` (noramyon) is an advanced Korean connective ending that expresses a conditional relationship where a...
Advanced 'Not Only... But Also' (-거니와)
Overview In advanced Korean, moving beyond simple conjunctions is key to achieving fluency and eloquence. The connectiv...
The Formal 'But': Using -되 for Provisos
Overview The connective ending `-되` is a sophisticated tool in formal Korean used to introduce a proviso or a qualifyi...
