-다가도

Even while A is going on, B suddenly happens, usually something opposite: 'A one moment, then (suddenly) B'. Stresses how quickly a situation or mood changes.

대조·양보Contrast & concession

Han: The crying interrupts playing that is still going on, so use -다가도; -았/었다가도 would mean the playing had already ended.

Examples

그 친구는 화를 냈다가도 금세 미안하다고 해요.That friend gets angry, but soon says sorry.

이 지역은 하늘이 맑다가도 오후가 되면 갑자기 비가 쏟아진다.In this region the sky can be clear, and then in the afternoon rain suddenly pours down.

아기는 잘 웃다가도 배가 고프면 금방 울어요.The baby laughs happily, but as soon as it gets hungry it starts crying.

Don’t mix up

-다가도vs-다가-다가 simply switches from A to B; 도 adds 'even in the middle of A': 공부하다가 잤어요 'was studying, then slept' vs 공부하다가도 휴대폰이 울리면 바로 봐요 'even while studying, checks the phone'.-다가도vs-아/어도-아/어도 is a concession ('even if'); -다가도 shows a change during A: 비가 와도 가요 'I'll go even if it rains' vs 비가 오다가도 금방 그쳐요 'it rains, then quickly stops'.

How to build it

V/A+다가도

completed A: V+았/었다가도

웃다 → 웃다가도; 조용하다 → 조용하다가도; 맑다 → 맑다가도; 화를 내다 → 화를 냈다가도

A and B usually contrast and come with 갑자기, 금방 or 금세: 잘 웃다가도 갑자기 울어요.
It often describes a habit or tendency, so the sentence is frequently in the present: 그 사람은 조용하다가도 술만 마시면 말이 많아져요.
-았/었다가도 means A was completed and then reversed: 화를 냈다가도 금방 웃어요 'even after getting angry, soon smiles'.

Classic mistake

Wrong: ~~아기는 잘 놀았다가도 갑자기 울어요.~~

Right: 아기는 잘 놀다가도 갑자기 울어요.

The crying interrupts playing that is still going on, so use -다가도; -았/었다가도 would mean the playing had already ended.

Practise -다가도 on real TOPIK questions

Hannim plans each day up to your exam date: questions on this pattern, reviews, full mock papers and graded writing. 7 days free, no card.

Start 7-day free trial

More level 3 grammar

All TOPIK grammar