Lesson 19
Today’s grammar point, -는 한이 있더라도, is used when you want to say “even if that means I have to...” or “even if I end up... -ing...”, meaning that you would take risks or try your best to achieve a desired result.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -는 한이 있더라도
= even if I end up + Verb-ing
= even if that means I have to + Verb
By adding -는 after a verb stem, you are turning it into an adjective. The word 한 means “case” or “situation”, so the literal translation of this structure is “even if there is a situation where ABC happens, (I will do XYZ)”. The phrase that follows is usually about something that one is determined to do, cannot do, or has to do. When -는 한이 있더라도 is used in a sentence, that sentence usually ends with -수 없어요 (cannot do), -아/어/여야 돼요 (have to), or -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (will).
Ex)
나중에 후회하는 한이 있더라도
= Even if that means we will regret it later
다치는 한이 있더라도
= Even if I might end up getting injured
지는 한이 있더라도
= Even if we might end up losing
Sample Sentences
무대에서 쓰러지는 한이 있더라도 공연을 취소할 수는 없어요.
= Even if it means I might collapse on the stage, we cannot cancel the performance.
여행 계획을 다 취소하는 한이 있더라도 지금 수술을 받아야 돼요.
= Even if that means we have to cancel all the travel plans, you need to get this surgery now.
회사를 그만두는 한이 있더라도 할 말은 해야겠어요.
= Even if I end up quitting the job because of this, I have to say what I have to say.
약속에 많이 늦는 한이 있더라도 화장은 꼭 하고 가야 돼요.
= Even if I might end up being very late for the meeting, I must put my makeup on before I go.
금방 고장 나서 버리는 한이 있더라도 일단 사야겠어요.
= Even though this might end up breaking and I will have to throw it away, I have to buy it now (and think about it later).