V+(으)되

Overview

The connective ending V+(으)되 is a formal and somewhat archaic grammatical structure used to link two clauses. It primarily serves two functions: expressing contrast or concession between the preceding and following clauses, or introducing a condition or a reported statement in a more classical style. While not commonly used in modern everyday spoken Korean, it frequently appears in written texts, proverbs, legal documents, or formal speeches, lending a sophisticated and often literary tone.

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Usage

V+(으)되 connects a preceding clause (V1) to a following clause (V2), indicating a relationship between them.

1. Contrast or Concession: This is the most common modern usage. It functions similarly to -지만 (but) or -으나/으나 (although), presenting the second clause as an opposing or exceptional idea to the first. The nuance is often "X is true, but Y is also true (or happens)."

   • Example: "그는 돈은 많으되 행복하지 않다." (He has a lot of money, but he is not happy.)

2. Introducing a Condition or Reported Statement (Old-style): In more classical or formal contexts, V+(으)되 can introduce a condition or a statement that is generally understood or reported, often with an implied "but" or "however" following it. It can be translated as "provided that," "it is said that... but," or "while it is true that..." This usage is less frequent in contemporary Korean but is found in proverbs, historical texts, or very formal declarations.

   • Example: "말은 쉽되 행하기는 어렵다." (Speaking is easy, but acting is difficult. / While speaking is easy, acting is difficult.)

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Conjugation Rules

The conjugation of V+(으)되 depends on the final sound of the verb stem:

• If the verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ (ri-eul): Attach -되.

  • 가다 (to go) -> 가 + 되 = 가되
  • 보다 (to see) -> 보 + 되 = 보되
  • 만들다 (to make) -> 만들 + 되 = 만들되
  • 살다 (to live) -> 살 + 되 = 살되

• If the verb stem ends in a consonant (other than ㄹ): Attach -으되.

  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹 + 으되 = 먹으되
  • 읽다 (to read) -> 읽 + 으되 = 읽으되
  • 찾다 (to find) -> 찾 + 으되 = 찾으되

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Knowledge Plus

V+(으)되 carries a distinctly formal, literary, or even archaic flavor. While it conveys contrast or concession, it is much less common in everyday conversation than its counterparts like -지만, -는데/은데, or -으나/으나. Using V+(으)되 in casual speech might sound overly dramatic or out of place. It is often encountered in proverbs (속담), legal documents, philosophical texts, or historical narratives, where its formal tone is appropriate. For learners, understanding its meaning is crucial for reading comprehension, but active production in spoken Korean should generally be limited to very formal or specific contexts.