Expression dictionary — full article
Choices & Alternatives · or..., why don't you..., how about... Quick Usage: Attaches directly to the verb stem regardless of final consonant or vowel.
The connective ending -든가 is used to present a suggestion or offer a choice between two or more possibilities. It implies that the speaker is giving the listener the freedom to decide, often with a nuance of "it doesn't matter which" or "you choose."
-든가 primarily functions to suggest an action or present options for the listener to consider. It's often used when the speaker doesn't have a strong preference and wants to give the other person the liberty to make a decision.
The connective ending -든가 is straightforward to conjugate. It attaches directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a consonant or a vowel.
-든가 is closely related to -든지. While often interchangeable in many contexts, there can be subtle differences. -든가 tends to be used more for a single suggestion or a choice between two specific options given by the speaker, often implying a "why don't you...?" or "you could..." nuance. -든지 can be used to list multiple options more explicitly (A든지 B든지 C든지) and is also more commonly used with question words (누가 오든지, 무엇을 하든지) to mean "no matter who/what." In general, -든가 carries a slightly more conversational and less formal tone than -든지 when used for simple suggestions. It's a useful expression for giving advice or options without being overly prescriptive.