Lesson 19
In Level 5 Lesson 15, we looked at the grammar point -(이)라도. This grammar point is used to suggest an idea that might not be the most ideal option, but can serve the purpose in the given situation.
-아/어/여서라도 is simply a combination of -아/어/여서 (= by doing something) and -라도. It means "even if it is by doing" something or "even if I have to do" something, and describes doing something in order to achieve a desired outcome. This expression is commonly used and has a number of fixed phrases.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -아/어/여서라도
Sample Sentences
밤을 새워서라도 마무리할게요.
= I will finish it even if I have to stay up all night.
다른 약속을 취소해서라도 꼭 갈게요.
= I will be there for sure, even if I have to cancel other plans.
돈을 빌려서라도 살 거예요.
= I am going to buy it even if I have to borrow money.
지구 전체를 다 뒤져서라도 찾아낼 거예요.
= I will find it even if it means I have to search the entire planet
Commonly used expressions
- 무슨 수를 써서라도 = no matter what I have to do
무슨 means "what kind of", and 수 means "method", "way", or "idea". 무슨 수를 써서라도 literally means "no matter what kind of method I have to use".
Ex)
무슨 수를 써서라도 다음에는 제가 우승할 거예요.
= No matter what I have to do, I will win first place next time. - 무슨 짓을 해서라도 = no matter what I have to do
짓, meaning "deed" or "behavior", is not a very respectful word. By saying 무슨 짓을 해서라도, you are expressing that you will achieve your goal "by doing whatever it takes", and that your actions will probably not be very nice or graceful.
Ex)
무슨 짓을 해서라도 복수할 거예요.
= I will get my revenge no matter what I have to do. - 어떻게 해서라도 = no matter what I have to do, whatever it takes
어떻게 해서라도 is a neutral expression. It literally means "even regardless of how I do it".
Ex)
어떻게 해서라도 다음 달까지 끝내 볼게요.
= No matter how I do it, I will try and finish it by next month. - 빚을 내서라도 = even if it is by getting a loan
빚 means debt, and 빚을 내다 means to get a loan or to borrow money (usually a large amount). Even when you are not talking about actual debt or a loan, you often hear this expression used to emphasize how important something is to do or buy regardless of whether you can afford it or not.
Ex)
이런 건 빚을 내서라도 사야 돼요.
= Even if you have to get a loan, you need to buy this.
A different usage of -아/어/여서라도
In this lesson, we are looking at the usage of -아/어/여라도 that has the meaning of "even if it is by doing" so-and-so. However when -아/어/여서, which means "because", is combined with -라도, the phrase can also take on the meaning of "at least because" or "at least for the reason of".
Ex)
저는 창피해서라도 그런 말 못 할 것 같아요.
= I do not think I would be able to say such a thing, at least out of embarrassment.