N+(은/는)커녕

Overview

N+(은/는)커녕 is a powerful grammatical construction used to express a strong negative contrast. It highlights that a certain expected or desired outcome is not only unfulfilled but that even a much smaller, more basic, or less significant thing is also not happening. It conveys a sense of disappointment, frustration, or a dire situation, emphasizing the complete absence of something.

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Usage

This expression is primarily used with nouns to indicate that the noun in question (which is often something desirable or expected) is completely out of reach, and furthermore, even a lesser alternative is unavailable. It sets up a contrast where the first item (the noun + 커녕) is presented as an impossibility, and then a second, less demanding item is also shown to be impossible or absent. It often implies a situation worse than initially thought.

While its primary form is with nouns, -기는커녕 is used to attach to verbs and adjectives, carrying a similar meaning. However, N+(은/는)커녕 specifically focuses on the absence or impossibility of a particular noun.

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Conjugation Rules

N+(은/는)커녕 attaches directly to nouns. The choice between 은커녕 and 는커녕 depends on the final sound of the preceding noun:

• If the noun ends in a consonant, use 은커녕.
  • Example: 밥 (rice) + 은커녕 → 밥은커녕
• If the noun ends in a vowel, use 는커녕.
  • Example: 돈 (money) + 는커녕 → 돈은커녕

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Knowledge Plus

N+(은/는)커녕 carries a strong negative nuance, often implying a sense of despair or extreme lack. It's more emphatic than simply saying "not even." The structure typically presents the more significant or desired item first (with 커녕), followed by a statement about the absence of a less significant item. For instance, "I don't even have money, let alone a house" would be "집은커녕 돈도 없어요," where '집' (house) is the more significant item. This construction effectively highlights the severity of the situation.