Lesson 3
In this lesson, we are going to learn how to use 아무리, which we covered in Level 7 Lesson 14, with the ending -라지만 or -다지만 to talk about something that is too excessive or not considered appropriate. When used together as a set in a sentence, the sentence can take on various meanings depending on the specific context, so pay close attention to the sample sentences.
1. 아무리 -(이)라지만
2. 아무리 -(ㄴ/는)다지만
The above phrases basically have the meaning of, “I know it is so-and-so but it is still too excessive/not appropriate/a bad idea/impossible/incomprehensible.”
First, let us take a look at 아무리, which was previously introduced in Level 7 Lesson 14. To briefly recap what we learned in that lesson, 아무리 is often used with -아/어/여도 to mean “no matter how much you do something” or “no matter how something is so-and-so”.
아무리 비싸도 살 거예요.
= I will buy it no matter how expensive it is.
아무리 바빠도 밥은 먹어야 돼요.
= No matter how busy you are, you have got to eat.
아무리 어려워도 포기하지 않을 거예요.
= No matter how hard it is, I will not give up.
Those are some sample sentences that use 아무리 -아/어/여도. Keeping this usage of 아무리 in mind, let us take a look at today’s grammar structures.
(1) 아무리 + NOUN + -(이)라지만
Rule: If the noun ends with a consonant, it is followed by -이라지만. If it ends with a vowel, it is followed by -라지만.
(2) 아무리 + VERB STEM + -ㄴ/는다지만 (action verb)
Rule: If the verb stem ends with a consonant, it is followed by -는다지만. If it ends with a vowel, it is followed by -ㄴ다지만.
(3) 아무리 + VERB STEM + -다지만 (descriptive verb)
Rule: Verb stems of a descriptive verb (예쁘다, 춥다, 빠르다, etc.) are followed by -다지만.
Those are the three variations of today’s grammar point. They commonly have one of the following meanings:
- I know it is so-and-so, but it is still...
- It is true that it is so-and-so, but it is still...
- Sure, it is so-and-so, but still...
In essence, you are acknowledging one fact and then presenting another, usually contrasting, viewpoint. 아무리 has the meaning of “no matter how (much)”, and -지만 has the meaning of “but”, so when combined, they form a sentence pattern that has one of the meanings above.
Sample Sentences
아무리 친구라지만, 어떻게 그런 부탁을 할 수 있을까?
= I know she is a friend, but how can she ask me for such a favor?
아무리 가족이라지만, 이해할 수 없어요.
= I know he is family, but I cannot understand him.
아무리 가까운 친구라지만, 돈을 허락 없이 쓰면 안 돼요.
= I know you are close friends, but you cannot use his money without his permission.
아무리 요즘 인기가 많다지만, 너무 비싸요.
= I know it is popular these days, but it is too expensive.
아무리 사람을 많이 만난다지만, 어떻게 다혜 씨를 기억 못 해요?
= (Talking to Dahye) I know he meets a lot of people, but how does he not remember you?
아무리 잘 먹는다지만, 어떻게 피자 세 판을 먹어요?
= I know he eats a lot, but how can he eat three pizzas?
아무리 바쁘다지만, 전화는 할 수 있잖아요?
= I know he is very busy, but he can make a phone call, can’t he?
아무리 그렇다지만, 이건 너무했네요.
= I know it is true, but this was too much.
Please note that it sounds more natural to use 아무리 -아/어/여도 when talking directly about yourself and the listener to the listener. For example, if you complain to your friend about someone who does not call you, you can say, “아무리 바쁘다지만, 전화는 할 수 있잖아요? (= I know he is very busy, but he can make a phone call, can’t he?)” However, if you are talking directly to the person who does not call you, it is more natural to say, “아무리 바빠도 전화는 할 수 있잖아요? (= I know you are very busy, but you can make a phone call, can’t you?)”