How To Say 'Let Alone...' In Korean (은/는 커녕)

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Written byLee Min-jung (이민정)

The expression 은/는 커녕 is employed in Korean to emphasize a strong contrast or negation, usually translated as "let alone" or "never mind". It's used to indicate that not only is a lesser or expected condition not met, but even a more basic or fundamental condition is unfulfilled.

This structure is effective in highlighting the absence or unlikelihood of something.

Grammar Rule: Noun/Verb + 은/는 커녕 + Emphasized Noun/Verb + 도 (for emphasis)

은/는 커녕 by example

Here are various examples showcasing this grammar pattern:

In the winter in Saudi, there's barely any rain, never mind snow.
Never mind the front row, I couldn't even buy a ticket for the balcony seats.
I don't have bus fare, never mind taxi fare.
My mum doesn't even have a mobile phone, let alone a tablet.
Children?! I don't even want to have pets.
I can't even play the triangle, never mind the drums.

Conclusion

은/는 커녕 is an invaluable tool in the Korean language for drawing strong contrasts or expressing the absence of something, even more basic or expected. This pattern can add dramatic emphasis and nuance to your Korean sentences.

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Learn how to use 은/는 커녕 in Korean to express strong contrasts or the absence of something, with practical examples.
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Lee Min-jung (이민정)
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