Learning how to express “not even once” in Korean can be quite useful in various conversations. Whether you want to emphasize an action or behavior you’ve never done in your life or you want to warn someone against trying something, having the right Korean phrases at your disposal is essential. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “not even once” in Korean, providing you with numerous examples and useful tips for usage.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When it comes to formal expressions in Korean, you can use the phrase “한 번도 한 적 없다” (han beondo han jeok eopda) to mean “not even once.” Let’s break down this expression further.
Phrase Breakdown:
- 한 번 (han beon): “one time” or “once”
- 도 (do): “even”
- 한 적 (han jeok): “one instance” or “one occurrence”
- 없다 (eopda): “to not have” or “to not exist”
By combining these words, you get the formal expression for “not even once” that can be used in polite conversations or written texts.
Formal Examples:
Example 1: 제가 알콜을 마신 적은 한 번도 없어요. (Je-ga alkol-eul masin jeok-eun han beondo eopseoyo.)
Translation: I’ve never even once had alcohol.Example 2: 그 사람은 폭력적으로 행동한 적이 한 번도 없습니다. (Geu sa-ram-eun pok-ryeok-jeok-euro haengdong-han jeogi han beondo eopseumnida.)
Translation: That person has never even once acted violently.
Informal Expressions
When speaking informally or with close friends, you can use a slightly different expression for “not even once” in Korean. The phrase “한 번도 한 번 없어” (han beondo han beon eopseo) is commonly used in casual conversations. Let’s analyze this expression further.
Phrase Breakdown:
- 한 번 (han beon): “one time” or “once”
- 도 (do): “even”
- 한 번 (han beon): “one time” or “once”
- 없어 (eopseo): “to not have” or “to not exist”
This expression follows a similar structure to the formal one, but the verb ending becomes more informal and suitable for casual conversations.
Informal Examples:
Example 1: 저는 절대로 담배를 피운 적은 한 번도 한 번 없어. (Jeoneun jeoldaero dambaeleul piun jeogeun han beondo han beon eopseo.)
Translation: I’ve never even once smoked a cigarette, absolutely never.Example 2: 이 음식을 먹어본 적은 한 번도 한 번 없어. (I eum-sik-eul meog-eobon jeogeun han beondo han beon eopseo.)
Translation: I’ve never even once tried this food.
Additional Tips and Variations
– To make expressions more negative, you can add the word “절대로” (jeoldaero) at the beginning, which means “absolutely” or “never” in Korean.
– If you want to emphasize that you’ll never do something in the future, you can add “앞으로도” (ap-eurodo), meaning “in the future” before the phrase.
– Although regional variations exist in Korean, the expressions provided are widely understood and used throughout the country.
– Remember to adjust your speech level based on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the listener.
Now armed with these formal and informal expressions, as well as additional tips, you can confidently convey the meaning of “not even once” in Korean. Whether you want to make a strong statement about your own experiences or warn someone against a particular action, these phrases will help you effectively communicate your intentions. Practice them in different contexts, and soon you’ll master the art of expressing “not even once” like a native Korean speaker. Happy learning!
