Introduction to Korean Particle 도
도 (do) is definitely one of the most
commonly used particles in Korean and for beginners, it is basically introduced
as the equivalent of too, also, and as well.
It is attached to nouns and pronouns.
나도 사랑해.
I love you too.
한국도 추워요.
Korea is also cold.
머리도 아파요.
My head hurts as well.
But 도 is
pretty much a colourful particle and it has a lot more uses you probably do not
know yet. Hence, I prepared this note to tackle each of them briefly so at
least you know what its other usages are.
나는 기차를 타는 것도 좋아요.
I also like taking the train. (aside from other modes of transportation)
It is not possible
to attach 도 directly to a verb stem so we use the gerund form by
adding –는 것.
나는 춤 추기도 못합니다.
I also can’t dance. (aside from something else, perhaps
singing)
Another way to
nominalize a verb is by adding –기 to the verb stem. It is similar to – 는 것 but
they are not at all completely interchangeable.
누구한테도 말하면 안돼.
You can’t tell this to anyone.
In here, -도 is
attached to another particle –한테 (to a person). It means ‘anyone’ and
should be used only with negative verbs.
아무도 몰라요.
Nobody knows.
아무 is a pronoun that refers to ‘any’ person, but it has
some derivatives such as 아무것 (thing), 아무데 (place),
and 아무 때 (time). Adding –도 makes
them negative and in such a case, only verbs in negative form are used. By the
way, we say 아무도, 아무것도, and 아무데도,
but not 아무 때도.
물이라도 마셔.
Drink water at least.
Actually, -(이)라도 is
one separate particle but let’s have it included since it has –도 in
it too. It is attach to nouns to express ‘at least’.
영어가 재미없어도 배워야 해요.
Even if English is uninteresting, I have
to learn it.
The particle –도 is
attached to the verb conjugated in its 아/어/여 form
to mean ‘even if’ or ‘even though’.
영어가 재미없는데도 배워야 해요.
Even if English is interesting, I have to
learn it.
Basically, it
conveys the same meaning as the previous sentence. We attach –ㄴ데도 to
adjectives and –는데도 to verbs.