Lesson 12
Are you ready to learn more Korean conjunctions? Yes! Good answer!
You will learn how to connect two sentences with the word 그래도 in this lesson, so put your thinking cap on and let’s get started!
In Level 2, Lesson 3, you learned how to use 그래서, which means “so” or “therefore”. The only difference in spelling of 그래서 and 그래도 is the final syllable, but that one little 도 gives the word an entirely different meaning.
그래도 means “but still”, “however”, “nonetheless”, or “nevertheless”.
Ex)
비가 와요. 그래도 갈 거예요?
= It is raining. Are you still going?
Let’s break it down:
그래도 = 그래 + 도
그래 = 그렇게 해 or 그렇게 하여 (to do it in such a way, to do that)
-도 = also, too, even
The literal meaning of “그래 + 도” is “even if you do that”, “even if that happens”, or “if you
do that, too” with the meaning of “still” added to the context.
Sample Sentences
한국어는 어려워요. 그래도 재미있어요.
= Korean is difficult. But still, it is interesting.
어제는 비가 왔어요. 그래도 축구를 했어요.
= Yesterday, it rained. Nevertheless, we played soccer.
저도 돈이 없어요. 그래도 걱정하지 마세요.
= I do not have money, either. But still, do not worry.
노래방에 가야 돼요. 그래도 노래 안 할 거예요.
= I have to go to a noraebang (singing room). However, I am not going to sing.
요즘 바빠요. 그래도 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.
= I am busy these days. But I am still studying Korean.
그래도 can also be used as an interjection when speaking with friends and you just want to say, “But still…” or “Come on...”.
If you feel the need to be more polite, or if you want to make 100% sure you are not being rude, add -요 to the end and say, “그래도요”. The “도요” combination takes a bit of work to pronounce, so you may find that other people, especially women in Seoul, end up saying “그래두요” rather than “그래도요” (like the change in pronunciation of -고 to “구” as mentioned in Lesson 2 of this book.)