TOPIK I · LEVEL 2
-아/어도
-아/어도 means 'even if / even though': the second clause happens regardless of the first.
대조·양보Contrast & concessionHan: 하다 verbs become 해도, not 하어도.
Examples
이 옷은 비싸도 사고 싶어요.Even though these clothes are expensive, I want to buy them.
비가 와도 축구를 할 거예요.Even if it rains, we'll play football.
여기에 앉아도 돼요?May I sit here?
Don’t mix up
-아/어도vs-지만-지만 contrasts two facts ('but'); -아/어도 says the result holds no matter what: 비싸지만 샀어요 vs 비싸도 살 거예요.How to build it
V/A+아도 (ㅏ,ㅗ) / 어도 (others) / 해도 (하다)
비싸다 → 비싸도, 먹다 → 먹어도, 공부하다 → 공부해도
- Use -아/어도 되다 to give or ask for permission: 들어가도 돼요?
- Often paired with 아무리 for emphasis: 아무리 바빠도.
Classic mistake
Wrong: 피곤하어도 운동해요.
Right: 피곤해도 운동해요.
하다 verbs become 해도, not 하어도.
Practise -아/어도 on real TOPIK questions
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All TOPIK grammar- -지만-지만 links two clauses that contrast with each other, like "but" or "although" in English.
- -는데/(으)ㄴ데-는데 sets up the background or a contrast in the first clause, preparing the listener for the second clause, which can be a statement, a question or a request.
- -(으)면-(으)면 attaches to a verb or adjective to set a condition: "if X happens or is true, then Y," and it can also mean "whenever X" for things that regularly happen.
- -(으)ㄴ 지Shows how much time has passed since an action happened.
- -(으)ㄹ 것Ends a written instruction or rule with a noun-like command: 'do X; X is to be done'. Impersonal and firm; used in notices, exam instructions, memos and rule lists.
- -(으)ㄹ 때Attaches to a verb or adjective to say at what time or in what situation something happens: 'when …'.
- -(으)면 안 되다States that an action is not allowed or not acceptable: 'you must not… / it's not okay to…'.
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다Attach it to a verb to say that someone can or cannot do something, either because of their ability or because the situation allows or prevents it.
- -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다Use it to say whether someone knows how to do something, meaning a skill or method they have learned.