-든지 in Korean: “whether ... or, either ... or”
-든지
-deunji
whether ... or, either ... or
Intermediate · Linking ideas
-든지 (-deunji) means "whether ... or" or "either ... or". It lists choices and shows that it does not really matter which one is picked. After question words it means "any-", as in 뭐든지 (anything) and 언제든지 (anytime).
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb or adjective stem | + 든지 | 가다 → 가든지, 먹다 → 먹든지 |
| Past tense | + 았/었든지 | 가다 → 갔든지 |
| Doing it or not | -든지 말든지 | 가다 → 가든지 말든지 |
| Noun or question word | + (이)든지 | 뭐 → 뭐든지, 언제 → 언제든지 |
How to use it
-든지 gives two or more options and says any of them is fine: 버스를 타든지 택시를 타든지 하자 (Let's take either the bus or a taxi). The sentence often ends with 하다 after the last option.
-든지 말든지 means "whether you do it or not" and can sound cool or a little dismissive: 가든지 말든지 마음대로 해 (Go or don't, it's up to you).
With question words it makes "any" words: 뭐든지 (anything), 언제든지 (anytime), 누구든지 (anyone), 어디든지 (anywhere). In casual speech -든지 is often shortened to -든.
Examples
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Planning how to get home
Telling a friend it's their choice
Being an easy guest
Ending an email
Don’t mix it up with
-거나: -거나 simply means "or" between options. -든지 adds the feeling that it does not matter which option is chosen.
-던지: -던지 (with 던) is a different ending about the past, as in 얼마나 춥던지 (it was so cold). Learners and even native speakers often mix up the spelling.
Common mistakes
Writing 던지 when you mean "whether/or." For choices, the correct spelling is 든지.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 든지 and 던지?
든지 is about choice ("whether ... or," "any"). 던지 looks back on a past experience, usually to show how strong it was. They sound similar, so check the spelling.
What does 언제든지 mean?
언제든지 means "anytime, whenever." 언제든지 연락하세요 means "Contact me anytime."
Is 든 the same as 든지?
Yes. 든 is a shorter, casual form of 든지, as in 뭐든 괜찮아 (Anything is fine).