Lesson 15
The expression -(이)라도 can be translated to English a number of different ways depending on the context of the Korean sentence. Since there is no definite translation for this expression and the meanings can vary greatly, you will learn just four of the most common usages in this lesson.
So, how is -(이)라도 used?
- -(이)라도 is attached after nouns, adverbs, or particles to imply one of the following:
- Something is suggested but is not the best out of all choices
Ex)
이거라도 (You are suggesting 이거 (this), but you and the other person know that this is not the best choice. You are suggesting this because it is better than nothing.)
저라도 (You are suggesting yourself to the other person, but you might not be the best choice out of everyone.)
커피라도 (You are suggesting coffee even if it might not be the best choice.)
- “Any choice is fine” (when used after 아무 (any), 누구 (who), 어디 (where), 언제 (when), or 어느 (which))
Ex)
누구라도 = anyone
어디라도 = anywhere
언제라도 = anytime
- Emphasis on number of quantity with the addition of “even” (when used after certain adverbs or words which describe a number or quantity)
Ex)
하루라도 = even just one day
잠시라도 = even just a little while
1달러라도 = even just one dollar
- Expressing suspicion about a certain possibility
Ex)
혹시 감기라도 = by any chance, maybe/perhaps a cold or something
어떤 문제라도 = maybe/perhaps any problem or something
Conjugation
- Words ending with a vowel + -라도
Ex) 이거 + 라도 = 이거라도
- Words ending with a last consonant + -이라도
Ex) 물 + 이라도 = 물이라도
Sample Sentences
그거라도 주세요.
= Give me that (if you do not have anything better/else).
* “그거” (“that one”) is not the best choice, but you ask for it anyway.
과자라도 먹을래요?
= (I do not have any better food, but) would you like a snack (at least)?
* In this case, you do not have any other proper food, so you are suggesting having a snack at the very least.
내일 영화라도 볼래요?
= Maybe we can watch a movie or something tomorrow?
= Do you want to watch a movie or something tomorrow?
* Watching a movie is not the best or most interesting thing that you could do together, but you suggest it anyway because it is better than nothing. If you are very excited about watching a movie, you would instead just say “내일 영화 볼래요?”
이렇게라도 해야 돼요.
= I should at least do this.
= This should at least prevent further trouble.
= I should at least do this, or else...
* You imply here that there are other things which could be done, but you cannot do all of them, and this is the least you can do to either stay out of trouble or to solve a situation.
저는 언제라도 갈 수 있어요.
= I can go anytime.
* The implication here is that “when” you go would not make much difference.
뭐라도 마셔요.
= Drink something (since it would be uncomfortable for me to see you not drink anything).
* 뭐 means “something” in this sentence, and you are telling the other person to at least drink SOMETHING since you think it would be better than nothing.
하루라도 빨리 끝내야 돼요.
= I need to finish it quickly. Even one day sooner would make a big difference.
* 하루라도 빨리 can also be understood as a fixed expression that means “as soon as possible”.
사고라도 났어요?
= Did you get into an accident or what?
= By any chance, did you have an accident?
* 사고가 나다 means “an accident happens” and here, if adding -라도 after 사고, you imply that you have no concrete evidence or fact, but you have a hunch or suspicion that something happened.