How To Say 'Barely' Or 'Hardly' In Korean (는 둥 마는 둥 하다)

The Korean grammar structure V + 는 둥 마는 둥 하다 is employed to convey actions performed with lack of wholeheartedness, enthusiasm, or completeness.

This pattern hints at some dissatisfaction or disappointment concerning a particular situation.

Grammar rule: Use V + 는 둥 마는 둥 하다 to signify an action done barely, half-heartedly, or in an unsatisfactory manner.

Examples of incomplete actions

To grasp the essence of this structure, let's delve into some examples:

Situations of incompletion

Indicating displeasure

Conclusion

By integrating "는 둥 마는 둥 하다" into your Korean linguistic arsenal, you're better equipped to express feelings of disappointment, incompletion, or half-hearted actions in various contexts.

This expression can prove to be invaluable when discussing situations that did not meet expectations.

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