TL;DR 🦄
- 🛡️ -(으)ㄹ지언정 [-(eu)l-ji-eon-jeong] means even if / even though / even if it means....
- 🔥 It is used when the speaker accepts a difficult possibility but says the main decision, value, or result will still stand.
- 🧩 실패할지언정 포기하지 않겠어요. [sil-pae-hal-ji-eon-jeong po-gi-ha-ji an-ke-sseo-yo] = Even if I fail, I will not give up.
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open 
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to sentences like 실패할지언정, 힘들지언정, 가난할지언정, and 잃을지언정. This grammar sounds formal and determined, so listen for the serious “I accept that risk, but...” feeling. 🎧
🌈 The Big Picture
-(으)ㄹ지언정 is a strong concession grammar. It says:
“Even if A is true / happens / must be accepted, B will still be true.”
It often appears in serious, formal, literary, speech-like, or written Korean. The feeling is stronger than everyday -아/어도. It is useful for:
- determination: 죽을지언정 포기하지 않겠다. = Even if it means dying, I will not give up.
- principles: 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다. = Even if I take a loss, I will not lie.
- concession with pride: 가난할지언정 부끄럽지는 않아요. = Even if we are poor, we are not ashamed.
- strong contrast: 늦을지언정 반드시 갈 거예요. = Even if I am late, I will definitely go.
Think of it as a “serious even-if shield.” The first clause is a sacrifice, risk, or disadvantage. The second clause is what remains firm. 🛡️
🎨 The Core -(으)ㄹ지언정 Family
1. Verb + -(으)ㄹ지언정
Use it when someone accepts the possibility of an action or consequence.
- 실패하다 → 실패할지언정 = even if someone fails
- 손해를 보다 → 손해를 볼지언정 = even if someone takes a loss
- 잃다 → 잃을지언정 = even if someone loses it
- 늦다 → 늦을지언정 = even if someone is late
2. Descriptive verb/adjective + -(으)ㄹ지언정
Use it when accepting a difficult state.
- 힘들다 → 힘들지언정 = even if it is hard
- 어렵다 → 어려울지언정 = even if it is difficult
- 가난하다 → 가난할지언정 = even if someone is poor
- 작다 → 작을지언정 = even if it is small
3. Noun + 일지언정
Use it when the conceded thing is a noun.
- 초보자일지언정 = even if someone is a beginner
- 작은 실수일지언정 = even if it is a small mistake
- 어려운 선택일지언정 = even if it is a difficult choice
🛠️ How It Works in Sentences
1. Determination despite risk
- 실패할지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다.
[sil-pae-hal-ji-eon-jeong po-gi-ha-ji an-ket-seum-ni-da]
Even if I fail, I will not give up. 💪
실패하다 = to fail, 포기하다 = to give up.
2. Principle despite loss
- 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠어요.
[son-hae-reul bol-ji-eon-jeong geo-jin-ma-reun ha-ji an-ke-sseo-yo]
Even if I take a loss, I will not lie. ⚖️
손해를 보다 = to take a loss, 거짓말 = lie.
3. Formal concession
- 과정은 힘들지언정 결과는 의미 있을 거예요.
[gwa-jeong-eun him-deul-ji-eon-jeong gyeol-gwa-neun ui-mi i-sseul geo-ye-yo]
Even if the process is hard, the result will be meaningful. 🌱
과정 = process, 결과 = result, 의미 있다 = to be meaningful.
🧩 General Formation Rule
Attach -(으)ㄹ지언정 to the stem.
1. No final consonant or ㄹ-ending stem → ㄹ지언정
- 가다 → 갈지언정 = even if someone goes
- 보다 → 볼지언정 = even if someone sees / tries
- 늦다 → 늦을지언정 has a final consonant, so see below.
- 살다 → 살지언정 = even if someone lives
- 만들다 → 만들지언정 = even if someone makes it
2. Final consonant stem → 을지언정
- 먹다 → 먹을지언정 = even if someone eats
- 잃다 → 잃을지언정 = even if someone loses
- 받다 → 받을지언정 = even if someone receives
- 늦다 → 늦을지언정 = even if someone is late
3. 하다 verbs/adjectives → 할지언정
- 실패하다 → 실패할지언정
- 포기하다 → 포기할지언정
- 가난하다 → 가난할지언정
- 불편하다 → 불편할지언정
4. Nouns → N일지언정
- 초보자 → 초보자일지언정
- 작은 문제 → 작은 문제일지언정
- 힘든 결정 → 힘든 결정일지언정
🚨 Exception Rule(s)
The same modifier-shape rules still matter:
- ㄹ-ending stems do not add 을:
✅ 살지언정, 만들지언정
❌ 살을지언정, 만들을지언정
- Some adjectives use their normal future-modifier form:
- 어렵다 → 어려울지언정
- 춥다 → 추울지언정
- 멀다 → 멀지언정
- For past meaning, you may see -았/었을지언정 in formal writing:
- 실패했을지언정 포기한 것은 아니에요. = Even if I failed, it does not mean I gave up.
📚 Cross-check note
This lesson connects with Even if / Although: -아/어도, Even if / No matter how: 아무리 -어도, Contrastive Background: -는데도, and Even if/Supposing: -(으)ㄹ지라도. Use -(으)ㄹ지언정 when the concession sounds serious, principled, or resolute.
🪞 Synonym Alert
- -아/어도 = even if / even though; common and daily.
- 힘들어도 갈 거예요. = Even if it is hard, I will go.
- 아무리 -아/어도 = no matter how / no matter how much.
- 아무리 힘들어도 포기하지 마세요. = No matter how hard it is, don’t give up.
- -는데도 = even though a concrete fact is true; unexpected result.
- 힘든데도 웃었어요. = Even though it was hard, they smiled.
- -(으)ㄹ지라도 = even if / even though; formal/literary.
- 어려울지라도 계속하겠습니다. = Even if it is difficult, I will continue.
- -(으)ㄹ지언정 = even if it means / even though; often more resolute, value-based, or sacrifice-oriented.
- 어려울지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다. = Even if it is difficult, I will not give up.
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ Using -(으)ㄹ지언정 for casual daily “even if” → ✅ Use -아/어도 in ordinary conversation.
- ❌ 먹지언정 → ✅ 먹을지언정 — consonant stem needs 을.
- ❌ 가을지언정 → ✅ 갈지언정 — vowel stem uses ㄹ지언정.
- ❌ 초보자지언정 → ✅ 초보자일지언정 — nouns use 일지언정.
- ⚠️ This grammar is formal, literary, or emphatic. In everyday speech, it can sound dramatic if the situation is small.
🛡️ Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ지언정 is for serious “even if it means...” moments: a cost may be real, but the speaker’s decision, value, or promise remains firm.
Try this exercise
Instructions
Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ지언정 form. Then ask: “What cost or difficulty is being accepted?”
1. 실패하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 포기하지 않겠어요.
[sil-pae-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ po-gi-ha-ji an-ke-sseo-yo]
Even if I fail, I will not give up. 💪
Answer
실패할지언정 — 실패하다 → 실패할지언정.
2. 손해를 보다 → ＿＿＿＿ 거짓말은 하지 않겠어요.
[son-hae-reul bo-da → ＿＿＿＿ geo-jin-ma-reun ha-ji an-ke-sseo-yo]
Even if I take a loss, I will not lie. ⚖️
Answer
손해를 볼지언정 — 보다 → 볼지언정.
3. 힘들다 → 과정은 ＿＿＿＿ 의미가 있어요.
[him-deul-da → gwa-jeong-eun ＿＿＿＿ ui-mi-ga i-sseo-yo]
Even if the process is hard, it has meaning. 🌱
Answer
힘들지언정.
4. 늦다 → 조금 ＿＿＿＿ 반드시 갈 거예요.
[neut-da → jo-geum ＿＿＿＿ ban-deu-si gal geo-ye-yo]
Even if I am a little late, I will definitely go. ⏰
Answer
늦을지언정.
5. 가난하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 부끄럽지 않아요.
[ga-nan-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ bu-kkeu-reop-ji a-na-yo]
Even if we are poor, we are not ashamed. 🏠
Answer
가난할지언정.
6. 작다 → 회사는 ＿＿＿＿ 가능성이 있어요.
[jak-da → hoe-sa-neun ＿＿＿＿ ga-neung-seong-i i-sseo-yo]
Even if the company is small, it has potential. 🌱
Answer
작을지언정.
7. 잃다 → 모든 것을 ＿＿＿＿ 약속은 지키겠어요.
[il-ta → mo-deun geo-seul ＿＿＿＿ yak-so-geun ji-ki-ge-sseo-yo]
Even if I lose everything, I will keep my promise. 🤝
Answer
잃을지언정.
8. 초보자 → ＿＿＿＿ 최선을 다하겠습니다.
[cho-bo-ja → ＿＿＿＿ choe-seo-neul da-ha-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I am a beginner, I will do my best. 🧑🎓
Answer
초보자일지언정 — noun + 일지언정.
9. ❌ 먹지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹을지언정.
10. Choose the stronger formal sentence:
① 힘들어도 포기하지 않겠습니다.
② 힘들지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다.
Answer
② 힘들지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다. — stronger, more formal, more resolute.
Vocabulary Box
- 실패하다 [sil-pae-ha-da] → to fail
- 포기하다 [po-gi-ha-da] → to give up
- 손해를 보다 [son-hae-reul bo-da] → to take a loss
- 거짓말 [geo-jin-mal] → lie
- 과정 [gwa-jeong] → process
- 의미 [ui-mi] → meaning
- 부끄럽다 [bu-kkeu-reop-da] → to be ashamed
- 가능성 [ga-neung-seong] → possibility/potential
- 약속을 지키다 [yak-so-geul ji-ki-da] → to keep a promise
Tip 💡 This grammar sounds best when the sentence has weight: sacrifice, principle, determination, or serious contrast.
Want more reps? Keep going into the Practice Hub for a full “even if it means...” workout. 🛡️
🎯 Practice Hub — Even if it means: -(으)ㄹ지언정
Welcome to the resolute-concession gym. 🏋️ You’ll practice strong sentences where someone accepts a cost, risk, disadvantage, or difficult fact — but keeps a promise, value, plan, or conclusion.
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct -(으)ㄹ지언정 or 일지언정 form.
Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧
A. 가다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ga-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone goes
Answer
갈지언정.
B. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿
[meok-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone eats
Answer
먹을지언정.
C. 보다 → ＿＿＿＿
[bo-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone sees / tries
Answer
볼지언정.
D. 잃다 → ＿＿＿＿
[il-ta → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone loses
Answer
잃을지언정.
E. 늦다 → ＿＿＿＿
[neut-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone is late
Answer
늦을지언정.
F. 살다 → ＿＿＿＿
[sal-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone lives
Answer
살지언정 — ㄹ-ending stem does not add 을.
G. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿
[man-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone makes it
Answer
만들지언정.
H. 실패하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[sil-pae-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone fails
Answer
실패할지언정.
I. 어렵다 → ＿＿＿＿
[eo-ryeop-da → ＿＿＿＿]
even if it is difficult
Answer
어려울지언정.
J. 초보자 → ＿＿＿＿
[cho-bo-ja → ＿＿＿＿]
even if someone is a beginner
Answer
초보자일지언정.
Form Box
- Vowel stem → ㄹ지언정
- Consonant stem → 을지언정
- ㄹ-ending stem → 지언정 after the ㄹ stem
- 하다 → 할지언정
- Noun → 일지언정
Tip 💡 If you know the future noun modifier -(으)ㄹ, this form is easier: 갈 + 지언정, 먹을 + 지언정.
Exercise 2 — Determination and Promises 💪
A. 실패하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 다시 도전하겠습니다.
[sil-pae-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ da-si do-jeon-ha-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I fail, I will challenge it again. 🔁
Answer
실패할지언정.
B. 넘어지다 → ＿＿＿＿ 끝까지 뛰겠습니다.
[neo-meo-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿ kkeut-kka-ji ttwi-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I fall, I will run until the end. 🏃
Answer
넘어질지언정.
C. 늦다 → ＿＿＿＿ 약속 장소에 가겠습니다.
[neut-da → ＿＿＿＿ yak-sok jang-so-e ga-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I am late, I will go to the meeting place. ⏰
Answer
늦을지언정.
D. 혼나다 → ＿＿＿＿ 사실을 말하겠습니다.
[hon-na-da → ＿＿＿＿ sa-si-reul ma-ra-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I get scolded, I will tell the truth. 🗣️
Answer
혼날지언정.
E. 힘들다 → ＿＿＿＿ 포기하지 않겠습니다.
[him-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿ po-gi-ha-ji an-ket-seum-ni-da]
Even if it is hard, I will not give up. 🛡️
Answer
힘들지언정.
F. 손해를 보다 → ＿＿＿＿ 약속을 지키겠습니다.
[son-hae-reul bo-da → ＿＿＿＿ yak-so-geul ji-ki-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I take a loss, I will keep the promise. 🤝
Answer
손해를 볼지언정.
G. 비난을 받다 → ＿＿＿＿ 제 생각을 말하겠습니다.
[bi-na-neul bat-da → ＿＿＿＿ je saeng-ga-geul ma-ra-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I receive criticism, I will say what I think. 📣
Answer
비난을 받을지언정.
H. 기회를 잃다 → ＿＿＿＿ 원칙은 지키겠습니다.
[gi-hoe-reul il-ta → ＿＿＿＿ won-chi-geun ji-ki-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I lose the opportunity, I will keep my principles. ⚖️
Answer
기회를 잃을지언정.
I. 시간이 걸리다 → ＿＿＿＿ 제대로 하겠습니다.
[si-ga-ni geol-li-da → ＿＿＿＿ je-dae-ro ha-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if it takes time, I will do it properly. 🧱
Answer
시간이 걸릴지언정.
J. 외롭다 → ＿＿＿＿ 제 길을 가겠습니다.
[oe-rop-da → ＿＿＿＿ je gi-reul ga-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I am lonely, I will go my own way. 🚶
Answer
외로울지언정.
Vocabulary Box
- 도전하다 → to challenge / try again
- 넘어지다 → to fall
- 끝까지 → to the end
- 혼나다 → to get scolded
- 사실 → truth/fact
- 손해 → loss
- 비난 → criticism
- 기회 → opportunity
- 원칙 → principle
- 제대로 → properly
Tip 💡 In this exercise, the second clause often uses -겠습니다, which matches the formal, resolute tone.
Exercise 3 — Values, Sacrifice, and Serious Contrast ⚖️
A. 가난하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 정직하게 살고 싶어요.
[ga-nan-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ jeong-ji-ka-ge sal-go si-peo-yo]
Even if I am poor, I want to live honestly. 🏠
Answer
가난할지언정.
B. 작은 회사 → ＿＿＿＿ 꿈은 큽니다.
[ja-geun hoe-sa → ＿＿＿＿ kku-meun keum-ni-da]
Even if it is a small company, the dream is big. 🌱
Answer
작은 회사일지언정.
C. 어려운 결정 → ＿＿＿＿ 필요한 결정이에요.
[eo-ryeo-un gyeol-jeong → ＿＿＿＿ pi-ryo-han gyeol-jeong-i-e-yo]
Even if it is a difficult decision, it is a necessary decision. 🧭
Answer
어려운 결정일지언정.
D. 불편하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 환경을 위해 해야 해요.
[bul-pyeon-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ hwan-gyeong-eul wi-hae hae-ya hae-yo]
Even if it is inconvenient, we must do it for the environment. 🌍
Answer
불편할지언정.
E. 인기가 없다 → ＿＿＿＿ 옳은 일을 해야 해요.
[in-gi-ga eop-da → ＿＿＿＿ ol-eun i-reul hae-ya hae-yo]
Even if it is unpopular, we must do the right thing. ✅
Answer
인기가 없을지언정.
F. 느리다 → ＿＿＿＿ 안전하게 가야 해요.
[neu-ri-da → ＿＿＿＿ an-jeon-ha-ge ga-ya hae-yo]
Even if it is slow, we should go safely. 🚗
Answer
느릴지언정.
G. 작은 실수 → ＿＿＿＿ 그냥 넘기면 안 돼요.
[ja-geun sil-su → ＿＿＿＿ geu-nyang neom-gi-myeon an dwae-yo]
Even if it is a small mistake, we should not just ignore it. 🧾
Answer
작은 실수일지언정.
H. 부족하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 진심은 전해졌어요.
[bu-jo-ka-da → ＿＿＿＿ jin-shi-meun jeon-hae-jyeo-sseo-yo]
Even if it was lacking, the sincerity was conveyed. 💌
Answer
부족할지언정.
I. 혼자 → ＿＿＿＿ 계속하겠습니다.
[hon-ja → ＿＿＿＿ gye-so-ka-get-seum-ni-da]
Even if I am alone, I will continue. 🚶
Answer
혼자일지언정.
J. 낡다 → 집은 ＿＿＿＿ 따뜻해요.
[nak-da → ji-beun ＿＿＿＿ tta-tteu-tae-yo]
Even if the house is old, it is warm. 🏡
Answer
낡을지언정.
Vocabulary Box
- 정직하다 → to be honest
- 꿈 → dream
- 결정 → decision
- 환경 → environment
- 인기 → popularity
- 옳다 → to be right/correct
- 안전하다 → to be safe
- 실수 → mistake
- 진심 → sincerity
- 낡다 → to be old/worn
Tip 💡 -(으)ㄹ지언정 often sounds natural when the sentence protects a value: honesty, safety, principle, sincerity, or promise.
Exercise 4 — Choose the Best Even-If Grammar 🧭
A. Casual: “Even if it rains, I’ll go.”
① 비가 와도 갈 거예요.
② 비가 올지언정 갈 거예요.
Answer
① 비가 와도 갈 거예요. — for ordinary daily situations, -아/어도 is more natural.
B. Formal resolve: “Even if I fail, I will not give up.”
① 실패해도 포기하지 않겠어요.
② 실패할지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다.
Answer
② 실패할지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다. — stronger and more resolute.
C. “No matter how busy I am, I eat.”
① 아무리 바빠도 밥은 먹어요.
② 바쁠지언정 밥은 먹어요.
Answer
① 아무리 바빠도 밥은 먹어요. — “no matter how” uses 아무리 -아/어도.
D. Concrete fact + unexpected result: “Even though they were busy, they helped.”
① 바쁜데도 도와줬어요.
② 바쁠지언정 도와줬어요.
Answer
① 바쁜데도 도와줬어요. — concrete fact + unexpected result.
E. Serious principle: “Even if I take a loss, I will not lie.”
① 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다.
② 손해를 보는데도 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다.
Answer
① 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다. — sacrifice + principle.
F. “Even if it is hard, don’t give up.” Daily advice.
① 힘들어도 포기하지 마세요.
② 힘들지언정 포기하지 마세요.
Answer
① is more everyday. ② is grammatically possible but sounds more formal/dramatic.
G. Literary/formal: “Even if we are poor, we are not ashamed.”
① 가난할지언정 부끄럽지 않습니다.
② 가난하는데도 부끄럽지 않습니다.
Answer
① 가난할지언정 부끄럽지 않습니다..
H. “Even if someone is a beginner, they can do it.”
① 초보자일지언정 할 수 있어요.
② 초보자지언정 할 수 있어요.
Answer
① 초보자일지언정 할 수 있어요. — noun + 일지언정.
I. Strong formal “even if / supposing”: “Even if it is difficult, I will continue.”
① 어려울지라도 계속하겠습니다.
② 어렵지만 계속하겠습니다.
Answer
① 어려울지라도 계속하겠습니다. — -(으)ㄹ지라도 is also a formal “even if” grammar.
J. Most sacrifice-oriented: “Even if I lose everything, I will keep my promise.”
① 모든 것을 잃어도 약속은 지킬게요.
② 모든 것을 잃을지언정 약속은 지키겠습니다.
Answer
② 모든 것을 잃을지언정 약속은 지키겠습니다. — strong, formal, and sacrifice-oriented.
Decision Box
- Daily even if → -아/어도
- No matter how → 아무리 -아/어도
- Concrete fact + surprise → -는데도
- Formal/literary even if → -(으)ㄹ지라도
- Sacrifice/value/resolve → -(으)ㄹ지언정
Tip 💡 If the sentence feels like a vow, principle, or dramatic concession, -(으)ㄹ지언정 is a strong candidate.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. ❌ 먹지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹을지언정 — consonant stem uses 을지언정.
B. ❌ 가을지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
갈지언정 — vowel stem uses ㄹ지언정.
C. ❌ 초보자지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
초보자일지언정 — noun + 일지언정.
D. ❌ 살을지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
살지언정 — ㄹ-ending stem does not add 을.
E. ❌ 실패하지언정 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
실패할지언정 — 하다 → 할지언정.
F. 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다. means:
Answer
Even if I take a loss, I will not lie.
G. 가난할지언정 부끄럽지 않습니다. means:
Answer
Even if we are poor, we are not ashamed.
H. Choose the natural daily sentence:
① 비가 와도 갈 거예요.
② 비가 올지언정 갈 거예요.
Answer
① 비가 와도 갈 거예요. — more natural for ordinary daily speech.
I. Choose the formal resolute sentence:
① 실패해도 다시 할게요.
② 실패할지언정 다시 도전하겠습니다.
Answer
② 실패할지언정 다시 도전하겠습니다..
J. -(으)ㄹ지언정 sounds best when:
Answer
The first clause accepts a serious cost, risk, or disadvantage, while the second clause keeps a firm decision, value, or promise.
Final Check
- 가다 → 갈지언정
- 먹다 → 먹을지언정
- 보다 → 볼지언정
- 살다 → 살지언정
- 실패하다 → 실패할지언정
- 초보자 → 초보자일지언정
Tip 💡 If the English sentence sounds like “even if it means...,” this grammar may be the exact dramatic tool you want.
🎉 You finished the -(으)ㄹ지언정 workout. Now you can express serious resolve: 실패할지언정 포기하지 않겠습니다, 손해를 볼지언정 거짓말은 하지 않겠습니다, and 가난할지언정 부끄럽지 않습니다. 🛡️✨
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