한 번도
The phrase 'not even once' in Korean is 한 번도.
The particle 도 provides an emphatic quality meaning 'even'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 한 (one), 번 (a counter for occurrences/times) and the particle 도 (even/also), which acts as an emphatic negative marker when paired with a negative verb.
Which one should you use?
While 한 번 means 'once', adding the particle 도 to create 한 번도 changes the meaning to 'not even once' when used in a negative context.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, 한 번도 must be paired with a negative verb or a negative adverb like 안 or 못 to complete the meaning of 'not even once'.
Did you know?
- When Koreans say 한 번 to request a favor, it functions as a softener to make the request feel less burdensome, rather than a literal request for a single occurrence.
- While 한 번도 is used for counting, the word 한 is a homonym for the Korean concept of 한 (恨), which refers to a deep feeling of unresolved grief or resentment.
- In Korean, the number 'one' can be written as 일 or 한, but for the phrase 한 번도, you must use the native Korean number 한 to count the occurrence.
Examples in context
- 제가 알콜을 마신 적은 한 번도 없어요.I've never even once had alcohol.
- 그 사람은 폭력적으로 행동한 적이 한 번도 없습니다.That person has never even once acted violently.
- 한 번도 안 갔어요.I haven't gone even once.
- 그 영화를 한 번도 안 봤어요.geu yeonghwaleul han beondo an bwasseoyo.I have not seen that movie even once.
- 거기에 한 번도 간 적이 없어요.geogie han beondo gan jeogi eopsseoyo.I have never been to that place even once.
- 그는 한 번도 약속을 어긴 적이 없다.geuneun han beondo yaksogeul eogin jeogi eopda.He has not broken a promise even once.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about a new restaurant.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 그 식당에 가봤어요?Subin ssi, geu sikdange gabwasseoyo?Subin, have you been to that restaurant?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 한 번도 안 가봤어요.aniyo, han beondo an gabwasseoyo.No, I haven't been there even once.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말요? 거기 정말 맛있어요.jeongmallyo? geogi jeongmal masisseoyo.Really? It is very delicious there.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 다음에 같이 가요.geureom daeume gatchi gayo.Then let's go together next time.
