Skip to content

든지

deunji

If any of them lands you in the same place: 든지

The picture A shrug in front of a fork in the road. Every path ends at the same place, so there is nothing to choose. (이)나 picks one out of several; 든지 says whichever you pick, the result is the same.

Particles

Where the picture shows up in 든지

  1. this one, that one, no difference

    커피든지 차든지 다 좋아요.

    keo-pi-deun-ji cha-deun-ji da jo-a-yo

    Coffee or tea, either is fine with me.

    A coffee cup and a teacup set out in front of you, and you taking whichever one arrives.

  2. the time is left wide open

    언제든지 연락 주세요.

    eon-je-deun-ji yeol-lak ju-se-yo

    Get in touch any time.

    A clock face where every hour you point at lights up green.

  3. do it or don't, up to you

    먹든지 말든지 마음대로 하세요.

    meok-deun-ji mal-deun-ji ma-eum-dae-ro ha-se-yo

    Eat it or don't, suit yourself.

    Pushing the rice bowl across to someone, letting go, and sitting back.

    -든지 is about choosing; -던지 recalls a past experience. Don't mix it up with 얼마나 춥던지, 'it was so cold'.

  4. whoever it is, fine

    누구든지 들어올 수 있어요.

    nu-gu-deun-ji deu-reo-ol su i-sseo-yo

    Anyone can come in.

    A door propped wide open, with nobody checking who walks in.

  5. whatever it is, fine

    뭐든지 물어보세요.

    mwo-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo

    Ask me anything you like.

    Standing with both arms open, ready to catch whatever question comes flying.

    In speech the 지 usually drops: 커피든 차든, 뭐든.

All of it in one picture

Coffee or tea, you take whichever arrives; point at any hour on the clock and it lights up green. You push the bowl across and let go, prop the door open without checking who comes in, and stand with arms wide for whatever question flies at you. All five are one picture: many branches, every one ending in the same place. Once 든지 is attached, the work of choosing disappears and what is left is a shrug — either way, it makes no difference.

Next

See all Korean core images