Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 또한 | ttohan | [t͈o̞ɦa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| -도 | -do | [to̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 역시 | yeoksi | [jʌ̹kɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 'as well' is expressed through different linguistic tools in Korean. The particle -도 is the most frequent method in spoken Korean for adding a person or an object to a list. The adverb 또한 is used to mean 'as well' or 'furthermore', while 역시 can mean 'also' but often carries the specific nuance of 'as expected' or 'just as I thought'.
Which one should you use?
The primary difference lies in their grammatical function: 또한 and 역시 are adverbs that can stand alone or move within a sentence, whereas -도 is a particle that must be attached directly to a noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
또한 is a formal way to express 'as well' and is frequently used in written language, speeches or news reports. 역시 can be used in both formal and colloquial situations. In contrast, -도 is the most common way to express 'as well' in everyday spoken Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle -도 is attached directly to a noun to mean 'also' or 'too'.
How do you pronounce it?
ttohan
Did you know?
- The word 또한 was documented as early as 1554 in the 'Guhwang chwaryo', a manual for dealing with famine.
- While 역시 means 'as well', it is often used as a one-word reaction to express 'just as I expected' when someone proves their talent or reputation.
- The particle -도 can be used to create a 'neither/nor' sentence if the verb at the end is negative, meaning the addition is also not true.
Examples in context
- 그러나, 그 반대도 또한 항상 진실이다.And yet, the contrary is always true as well.This sentence shows how 또한 is used to express that the contrary is true as well.Tatoeba #5397 by H_Liliom, translation #1637 by pyrachi
- 저도 함께 할게요.I will join as well.
- 저희 회사는 신제품을 출시하고 또한 시장 조사를 실시했습니다.Our company launched a new product and conducted market research as well.
- 나도 할게.I'll do it as well.
- 네, 나도 할래.Yes, I'll join as well.
- 응, 나도 갈래.Yeah, I'll go as well.
- 나도 아이스크림 먹을래.I want to have ice cream too.
- 그녀는 영어를 잘하며 또한 일본어도 잘합니다.geunyeoneun yeongeo-reul jalhamyeo ttohan ilboneodo jalhamnida.She speaks English well and also speaks Japanese well.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are discussing a new employee.
- 민준 Min-jun그분은 정말 친절하신 것 같아요.geubuneun jeongmal chinjyeolhasin geot gatayo.I think that person is really kind.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요. 또한 일 처리도 매우 빠르세요.majayo. ttohan il cheorido myeu ppareuseyo.That's true. Also, they handle work very quickly.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 배울 점이 많은 분이네요.jeongmal baeul jeomi maneun bunineyo.They are someone I can really learn from.
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 그렇게 생각해요, 민준 씨.jeodo geureoke saenggakhaeyo, Minjun ssi.I think so too, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “as well” translations and entries 또한, -도, 역시, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries -도, 또한, 역시, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
