B1 particle 2 min read

는커녕

It means 'far from' or 'let alone', used to show that something is even less likely than the thing already mentioned.

-neunkeonyeong
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 는커녕 to say 'no' to two things at once. If you want to say 'I have no money, and I cannot buy food,' you can say 'I have no money, let alone food!' It makes your sentences sound much more natural.

At this level, you can use 는커녕 to complain about daily life. If someone asks if you are happy, and you are having a bad day, you can say, 'I am not happy, let alone having a good day!' It shows you can connect two ideas with a negative result.

Intermediate learners use this to show contrast. You might say, 'The weather is bad; it’s not just raining, it’s storming!' Or, 'I didn't finish my homework, let alone study for the test.' It helps you express complex feelings of frustration or disbelief clearly.

At the B2 level, 는커녕 becomes a tool for nuance. You can use it in professional settings to politely decline or correct someone. For instance, 'Our team hasn't reached the goal, let alone exceeded it.' It’s a sophisticated way to manage expectations in a conversation.

Advanced speakers use this to emphasize the gap between expectation and reality. It appears in literature and formal debates to highlight failures or shortcomings. It adds a layer of rhetorical weight to your arguments, making your point much more persuasive.

At the mastery level, you understand the subtle emotional weight 는커녕 carries. It is often used to express irony or heavy sarcasm. You can use it to craft sentences that highlight the absurdity of a situation, showing a deep command of Korean rhetorical devices and cultural expression.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used for 'let alone'.
  • Connects two negative ideas.
  • Noun + 는커녕 / Verb + 기는커녕.
  • Adds emphasis to frustration.

Hey there! Let's talk about 는커녕. Think of it as the Korean way of saying 'let alone' or 'far from it.' It’s a super useful particle for when you want to express frustration or surprise that something basic hasn't happened, making a bigger goal seem impossible.

When you use 는커녕, you are setting up a hierarchy. You mention a 'big' thing that didn't happen, and then you use this particle to show that even the 'small' thing didn't happen either. It’s perfect for adding emphasis to your sentences!

The particle 는커녕 is a contraction of the phrase 는 것은 고사하고, which literally translates to 'leaving aside the fact that...' or 'putting aside the matter of...'

Over time, the Korean language naturally shortened this clunky phrase into the compact, punchy 는커녕 we use today. It’s a great example of how language evolves to become more efficient for speakers. It’s been a staple of the language for centuries, helping people express that 'even the basics' are missing.

You use 는커녕 after a noun or a verb stem. If it follows a noun, it attaches directly. If it follows a verb, you usually use the -기는커녕 form.

It is very common in casual and semi-formal speech. You’ll hear it when people are complaining or being modest. For example, if someone asks if you finished your project, you might say, 'I haven't even started, let alone finished it!' It’s a very natural way to sound like a native speaker.

While 는커녕 isn't an idiom itself, it is part of many common expressions:

  • 밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨다: Couldn't even drink water, let alone eat.
  • 칭찬은커녕 욕만 먹었다: Didn't get praise, only got scolded.
  • 도움은커녕 방해만 된다: Not only not helpful, but a hindrance.
  • 잠은커녕 눈도 못 붙였다: Couldn't even close my eyes, let alone sleep.
  • 휴가는커녕 주말도 없다: No vacation, not even a weekend off.

The grammar is straightforward: [Noun] + 는커녕 or [Verb Stem] + 기는커녕. It functions as a particle that replaces markers like '은/는' or '이/가'.

Pronunciation-wise, be careful with the double consonant 커. It should be aspirated and sharp. In the IPA, it’s roughly [nɯn.kʰʌ.njʌŋ]. It rhymes loosely with words ending in 'yeong' like '안녕' (hello/goodbye).

Fun Fact

It shows how Korean speakers prefer shorter, more direct particles over long phrases.

Pronunciation Guide

UK nɯn.kʰʌ.njʌŋ

Crisp 'n' sounds, aspirated 'k'.

US nɯn.kʰʌ.njʌŋ

Similar to UK, focus on the sharp 'k' sound.

Common Errors

  • Softening the 'k' sound
  • Merging the syllables
  • Incorrect vowel length

Rhymes With

안녕 번영 청년 학년 장년

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to understand once the rule is learned.

Writing 2/5

Needs practice to place correctly.

Speaking 2/5

Natural in conversation.

Listening 2/5

Common in daily speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

은/는 이/가 못

Learn Next

하물며 고사하고

Advanced

~기조차

Grammar to Know

Noun particles

은/는

Verb nominalization

-기

Negation

못

Examples by Level

1

돈은커녕 시간도 없어요.

Money-let alone time-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

2

밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨어요.

Food-let alone water-even-couldn't drink.

Noun + 는커녕

3

선물은커녕 편지도 없어요.

Gift-let alone letter-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

4

커피는커녕 물도 없어요.

Coffee-let alone water-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

5

친구는커녕 가족도 없어요.

Friend-let alone family-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

6

차는커녕 자전거도 없어요.

Car-let alone bicycle-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

7

휴가는커녕 주말도 없어요.

Vacation-let alone weekend-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

8

옷은커녕 신발도 없어요.

Clothes-let alone shoes-even-don't have.

Noun + 는커녕

1

공부는커녕 잠도 못 잤어요.

2

칭찬은커녕 욕만 먹었어요.

3

도움은커녕 방해만 됐어요.

4

수익은커녕 손해만 봤어요.

5

연락은커녕 소식도 없어요.

6

기대는커녕 포기했어요.

7

웃음은커녕 눈물만 났어요.

8

성공은커녕 실패했어요.

1

계획은커녕 생각도 못 했어요.

2

대화는커녕 눈도 안 마주쳤어요.

3

사과는커녕 변명만 늘어놓네요.

4

해결은커녕 문제가 더 커졌어요.

5

휴식은커녕 더 바빠졌어요.

6

여행은커녕 집 밖에도 못 나갔어요.

7

이해는커녕 오해만 쌓였어요.

8

감사는커녕 불평만 하네요.

1

그는 사과는커녕 잘못을 인정하지도 않았다.

2

승진은커녕 오히려 해고당할 위기다.

3

이익은커녕 본전도 못 찾았다.

4

설명은커녕 화만 내고 나갔다.

5

존중은커녕 무시만 당했다.

6

해답은커녕 질문만 더 늘었다.

7

환영은커녕 문전박대를 당했다.

8

기회는커녕 희망도 보이지 않는다.

1

그의 태도는 협력은커녕 방해에 가까웠다.

2

정부는 대책 마련은커녕 상황을 악화시켰다.

3

그는 반성은커녕 자신의 행동을 정당화했다.

4

이론은커녕 기본 개념조차 이해하지 못했다.

5

성장은커녕 퇴보하고 있다는 증거다.

6

약속은커녕 연락조차 없는 상태다.

7

평화는커녕 전쟁의 위협이 고조되고 있다.

8

지지는커녕 비난의 목소리가 높다.

1

그의 논리는 설득은커녕 궤변에 불과했다.

2

그는 부는커녕 명예조차 얻지 못하고 생을 마감했다.

3

이 예술 작품은 감동은커녕 불쾌감만 자아낸다.

4

그는 자비는커녕 냉혹한 태도로 일관했다.

5

그의 노력은 성과는커녕 오히려 역효과를 냈다.

6

그는 우정은커녕 신뢰조차 저버렸다.

7

그 상황은 해결은커녕 파국으로 치달았다.

8

그의 말은 위로는커녕 상처만 남겼다.

Common Collocations

밥은커녕
잠은커녕
도움은커녕
칭찬은커녕
사과는커녕
기대는커녕
이해는커녕
연락은커녕
휴가는커녕
성공은커녕

Idioms & Expressions

"꿈은커녕"

Not even dreaming of it.

꿈은커녕 현실도 버겁다.

neutral

"말은커녕"

Not even mentioning it.

말은커녕 쳐다보지도 않았다.

neutral

"생각은커녕"

Not even thinking about it.

생각은커녕 할 시간도 없다.

neutral

"웃음은커녕"

Not even a smile.

웃음은커녕 화만 냈다.

neutral

"기회는커녕"

Not even a chance.

기회는커녕 희망도 없다.

neutral

"본전은커녕"

Not even breaking even.

본전은커녕 손해만 봤다.

neutral

Easily Confused

는커녕 vs 말고

Both imply exclusion.

말고 is for choosing, 는커녕 is for impossibility.

이거 말고 저거 (Not this, that) vs 밥은커녕 물도 없다 (Not even water, let alone food).

는커녕 vs 하물며

Both deal with intensity.

하물며 is a conjunction, 는커녕 is a particle.

어른도 힘든데 하물며 아이가 (Even adults find it hard, much less a child).

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + 는커녕 + Noun + negative verb

돈은커녕 시간도 없어요.

B1

Verb-gi + 는커녕 + Verb + negative verb

먹기는커녕 마시지도 못했어요.

B2

Adjective-gi + 는커녕 + Adjective + negative verb

예쁘기는커녕 못생겼어요.

Word Family

Nouns

고사 leaving aside

Related

말고 alternative choice
하물며 intensifier of impossibility

How to Use It

frequency

7

Formality Scale

Formal writing Neutral Casual Slang

Common Mistakes

Using 는커녕 with a positive sentence. → Use it with a negative context.
It implies the failure of both the 'big' and 'small' thing.
Adding '은/는' after 는커녕. → Just use 는커녕.
It already contains the particle function.
Confusing with '말고'. → Use '말고' for choosing, '는커녕' for negation.
They have different logical structures.
Using it with adjectives directly. → Use -기는커녕.
Adjectives need the verb-nominalizer '기'.
Misplacing the emphasis. → Put the 'big' thing before 는커녕.
The 'big' thing is the one that is definitely not happening.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Visualize a 'No-can-young' sign.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

When complaining about a lack of progress.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Used to express modesty or frustration.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Noun + 는커녕, Verb + 기는커녕.

💡

Say It Right

Aspirate the 'k'.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it in positive sentences.

💡

Did You Know?

It comes from a longer phrase.

💡

Study Smart

Practice with 'I can't even... let alone...'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'No-can-young' (No can, young man!). You can't do the big thing, let alone the young thing!

Visual Association

A person trying to lift a mountain, but failing to even lift a feather.

Word Web

negation contrast frustration impossibility

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about things you can't do today.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Contraction of '는 것은 고사하고'

Cultural Context

None, but can sound aggressive if used in a rude tone.

Equivalent to 'let alone' or 'far from it'.

Used frequently in K-drama dialogue to express frustration.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at work

  • 승진은커녕
  • 휴가는커녕
  • 보너스는커녕

at school

  • 성적은커녕
  • 숙제는커녕
  • 공부는커녕

daily life

  • 밥은커녕
  • 잠은커녕
  • 연락은커녕

travel

  • 숙소는커녕
  • 교통은커녕
  • 음식은커녕

Conversation Starters

"How was your day? Did you get everything done?"

"Are you planning to go on vacation?"

"Did you enjoy the meal?"

"How is your new project going?"

"Do you think we will finish on time?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you were very busy.

Describe a situation where you couldn't even finish the basics.

What is a goal you have that seems far away?

How do you handle frustration when things don't go as planned?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Yes, it is most commonly used with nouns.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Yes, the second part must be negative.

Use -기는커녕.

No, '말고' is for alternatives.

Yes, if they are impossible.

Very common.

It can if used to criticize others.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

돈은___ 시간도 없어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 커녕

는커녕 is the correct particle for 'let alone'.

multiple choice A2

Which sentence is correct?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨다

It requires a negative context.

true false B1

는커녕 can be used for positive outcomes.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It emphasizes failure or negation.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching cause to effect.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard structure.

Score: /5

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