Skip to content
hanmal – Home

-아도/어도 vs -는데도

Intermediate · TOPIK II

-는데도 is only for something that is actually the case: 'even though (in fact) A, still B'; -아도/어도 works for both real and hypothetical situations: 'even if A, B'.

-아도/어도A connective ending used when assuming or recognizing the truth of the preceding statement, although it is not related to or does not influence the following statement.-는데도An expression used to indicate that the following situation will occur, regardless of the preceding situation.

Rules of thumb

  • Hypothetical or future situations (내일 비가 와도… 'Even if it rains tomorrow…'): only -아도.
  • Real facts where the result defies expectations (약을 먹었는데도 안 나아요 'I took medicine but I'm still not better'): -는데도 is more emphatic.
  • If the main clause is a command or suggestion, use -아도, not -는데도.
  • Forms: verb + -는데도, adjective + -(으)ㄴ데도, noun + 인데도, past -았/었는데도.
  • -는데도 often carries surprise or frustration.

Example sentences

  • -는데도

    Even though I took medicine, my head still hurts.

  • -아도/어도

    Even if it rains tomorrow, I'll go hiking.

  • 내일 비가 오는데도 등산을 갈 거예요.

    Incorrect

    Even though it's raining tomorrow, I'll go hiking. [Wrong: tomorrow is hypothetical, but -neundedo is only for real facts; use -ado]

  • -아도/어도

    Even if it's hard, hang in there a little longer.

  • -는데도

    Even though I studied hard, I failed the exam.

Often confused with

← All confused pairs