3 Sentence Summary of This Lesson:
- 도 after a noun means "also" or "too" (placement affects emphasis)
- 도 after a verb stem (with 아/어/여) means "even if" (creates negative tone)
- 도 connects two clauses to form longer sentences
To say “also,” simply add 도 behind the word you would like to apply it to.
도 with Nouns
Add 도 behind the concerning word to add the meaning “also.” The meaning can change depending on where you place 도 in the sentence.
철수도 오늘 왔어요. (Chul Soo also came today.)
내일도 일해요. (I work tomorrow too.)
내일 일도 해요. (Among other things I have to do tomorrow, working is also one of them.)
공부도 해요? (You study?)
*The emphasis is on “study,” which could mean that it is surprising for the speaker that the receiver studies. Or it could simply mean, “You study, too?” (amongst doing other things).
도 with Verbs
Now adding 도 behind a verb changes the direction your sentence is going. It adds the meaning “even if I do something.” As a connector, you will use 아/어/여. Refer to the lesson on Present tense to refresh your memories on how to determine which to use out of 아/어/여.
가도 못 사요. (Even if you go, you won’t be able to buy it.)
많이 먹어도 안 배불러요. (Even if I eat a lot, I don’t get full.)
공부해도 자꾸 까먹어요. (Even if I study, I keep forgetting it.)
미안해도 어쩔 수 없어요. (Even if we feel sorry, there’s nothing we can do.)
Using 도 is a great way to make longer sentences as it requires two parts/ clauses to complete. Notice how in “가도 못 사요,” you have two verbs. They are very short, but this means that there are two sentences connected through 도.
The meaning of the sentence naturally becomes negative with the addition of 도 to the verb.
Try the following exercise.
Complete the following sentences with 도 and determine what the sentence means.
- 어제도 치킨을 먹었어요.
Answer
I had chicken yesterday too.
- 생각도 못 했어요. (생각: thought)
Answer
I couldn’t even think of it. / I didn’t even think about that.
- 설명____ 이해하지 못해요.
Answer
설명해도
He/she cannot understand it, even if (I) explain.
- 물을 마____ 목이 말라요. (마시다)
Answer
마셔도
I feel thirsty, even if I drink water.
- 기억도 안 나요. (기억: Memory)
Answer
I can’t even remember.
- 농담도 잘해요. (농담: joke)
Answer
You’re good at joking, amongst other things you’re great at.
*It’s a sarcastic remark.
- 얼굴도 잘생겼어요.
Answer
He is handsome, on top of all the other great things about him.
- 힘들____ 그냥 하세요. (힘들다: to be difficult for you to do)
Answer
힘들어도
Do it even if it’s hard.
- 영미는 학교에도 안 나왔어요.
Answer
Young Mi not only didn’t come here, but also didn’t come to school.
- 비____ 품질이 좋아요. (비싸다: To be expensive), (품질: Quality)
Answer
비싸도
The quality is good, even if it’s expensive.
* For more practice exercises, visit the ‘Practice Hub’.
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