Lesson 23
In this lesson, let us take a look at how to say “no matter whether” someone does something or not. The verb ending you can use to say this in Korean is -(으)나 마나. This is very similar to -아/어/여 봤자 (Level 7 Lesson 7), but the difference is that -아/어/여 봤자 has a stronger nuance of, “Even if you go ahead and do it, you will not achieve what you want”, whereas -(으)나 마나 is closer to, “No matter whether you do it or not, the result is fixed.”
Construction
Verb stem + -(으)나 마나
Ex)
먹다 → 먹 + -으나 마나 = 먹으나 마나
보다 → 보 + -나 마나 = 보나 마나
* 마나 comes from the verb, 말다.
보나 마나, 이상할 거예요.
= No matter whether you see it or not, (I am sure) it will be strange.
= You do not even have to see it. It will be strange.
Sometimes, -(으)나 마나 is followed by the -이다 verb in the form of -(으)나 마나예요.
보나 마나예요.
= You do not even have to look at it. What you will see is fixed. I know what you will see.
= I do not even have to bother looking at it. I know what I will see.
Sample Sentences
물어보나 마나 안 된다고 할 거예요.
= Whether you ask them or not, they will certainly say no.
하나 마나 똑같아요.
= No matter whether you do it or not, the result is the same.
이야기를 하나 마나 하나도 달라지는 게 없어요.
= No matter whether you talk to him or not, nothing changes.
* If the other person can sense what you are going to say, you can just say it in the
shorter form, “이야기를 하나 마나예요.”
보나 마나 제가 일등이에요.
= No need to see. I am the 1st place winner.
이 책은 읽으나 마나예요.
= This book is worthless to read.