무슨 일이 있어도
museun iri isseodo
The English phrase "no matter what" is translated in Korean as 무슨 일이 있어도 (museun iri isseodo).
무슨 일이 있어도 is used to express that something will happen under any circumstances or whatever happens. This phrase is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or a clause to set the condition for the following action.
Meaning: under any circumstances, whatever happens (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 무슨 (what/what kind of), 일 (matter/work/event), 이 (subject marker), 있 (to exist/to be) and -어도 (even if/even though).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 무슨 일이 있더라도 to mean "no matter what happens" in a formal tone. For a more general sense of "no matter what kind of situation," formal speech and writing often use 어떤 일이 있더라도. Additionally, the structure 아무리 ~더라도 is used to form expressions meaning "no matter how."
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -어도 functions as a concessive marker, meaning "even if" or "even though", which creates the "no matter what" sense in the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
museun iri isseodo
Did you know?
- The word 무슨 appears in written records as early as 1103 in a text called the 계림유사, long before the modern alphabet was invented.
- In high-stakes emotional dramas, characters often shorten this phrase to 무슨 일이 있어도… and trail off, leaving the promise implied to create a more dramatic effect.
Examples in context
- 무슨 일이 있더라도, 저는 당신을 지원할 것입니다.No matter what happens, I will support you.
- 어떤 일이 있더라도 항상 낙천적으로 유지하세요.No matter what happens, always stay optimistic.
- 아무리 뭐가 있더라도 항상 네 옆에 있을 거야.I will always stand by your side, no matter what.
- 무슨 일이 있어도 꼭 갈게요.museun iri isseodo kkok galgeyo.I will definitely go no matter what.
- 무슨 일이 있어도 포기하지 마세요.museun iri isseodo pogihaji maseyo.Do not give up no matter what happens.
- 우리는 무슨 일이 있어도 서로를 믿어야 해요.urineun museun iri isseodo seororeul mideoya haeyo.We must trust each other no matter what.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are discussing a difficult exam.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 이번 시험 꼭 합격해야 해요.Hyeonu ssi, ibeon siheom kkok hapgyeokhaeya haeyo.Hyunwoo, you must pass this exam.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 무슨 일이 있어도 꼭 해낼게요.Ne, museun iri isseodo kkok haenaelgeyo.Yes, I will do it no matter what.
- 민지 Min-ji민지는 항상 현우 씨를 응원해요.Minjineun hangsang Hyeonu ssi-reul eungwonhaeyo.Minji is always rooting for you, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 고마워요, 민지 씨.Jeongmal gomawoyo, Minji ssi.Thank you so much, Minji.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 무슨, 일이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
