Core Grammar: ~는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다
This pattern is used to state that a certain action or quality is the most important thing, above all else. It's a strong way to express your core values or priorities.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It translates to "Doing/Being ~ is more important than anything" or "The most important thing is ~". It combines the nominalizing form ~는 것 (the act of doing ~) with the phrase 무엇보다 중요하다 (is more important than anything).
When to use: Use it when you want to emphasize your number one priority in a specific context, such as in relationships, at work, or in life in general. It clearly and assertively communicates your fundamental beliefs.
Formation Rules
Rule: This pattern is attached to the stem of a verb or an adjective. The form is always Verb/Adjective Stem + ~는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. Since it uses ~는 것, the conjugation is consistent regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Examples:
가다 (to go) → 가는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. (Going is more important than anything.)
먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. (Eating is more important than anything.)
솔직하다 (to be honest) → 솔직한 것이 무엇보다 중요하다. (Being honest is more important than anything.)
Verb/Adjective Stem + ~는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다
Core Grammar: ~더라도
This pattern expresses a concession, similar to "even if" or "even though" in English. It indicates that the action or state in the second clause will happen regardless of the condition mentioned in the first clause.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "Even if/though ~". It acknowledges a potential obstacle or situation in the first clause but asserts that it won't affect the outcome in the second clause.
When to use: Use it to show that something is not a determining factor. For example, you might say "Even if he is handsome, I don't like him if he's rude." The handsomeness is conceded, but it's not enough to change the final decision. It often highlights a stronger, underlying principle.
Conjugation Rules
Rule: Attach ~더라도 to the verb or adjective stem. The conjugation is straightforward.
Vowel or ㄹ ending stem: Attach ~더라도. (e.g., 바쁘다 → 바쁘더라도; 멀다 → 멀더라도)
Consonant ending stem: Attach ~더라도. (e.g., 좋다 → 좋더라도; 먹다 → 먹더라도)
Past Tense: You can also use it with the past tense by attaching it to ~았/었~. (e.g., 먹었다 → 먹었더라도; 비쌌다 → 비쌌더라도)
Verb/Adjective Stem + ~더라도
The Nuance of `~잖아`
The ending ~잖아 is frequently used in casual conversation to state something the speaker assumes the listener already knows or would agree with. It's similar to saying "..., you know?" or "..., as you know."
Building Rapport
It softens a statement by turning it into a point of shared understanding rather than a new assertion.
In the dialogue, Sora says 오래 만나기 힘들잖아 ("it's hard to date for a long time, you know?"). She's not teaching Yuna a new fact, but rather stating a common belief about relationships that she expects her friend to share.
Usage in Context
This ending is primarily used in informal speech (반말) with friends and close acquaintances.
Using it in a formal setting or with someone of higher status can sound presumptuous or even rude, as it implies a level of closeness that may not exist.
오래 만나기 힘들잖아
Emphasizing with `아무리 ~더라도`
The adverb 아무리 (no matter how) is very frequently paired with the grammar pattern ~더라도 (even if) to add strong emphasis. This combination powerfully expresses that a certain condition, no matter how extreme, will not change the outcome.
Structure and Meaning
The structure is 아무리 + [Adjective/Verb] + ~더라도.
It translates to "No matter how [Adjective/Verb]..." and highlights the speaker's unwavering stance on a particular value or principle.
Examples from the Dialogue
This combination is used multiple times to state core relationship values:
아무리 잘생겼더라도: No matter how handsome (he is), personality is more important.
아무리 사랑하더라도: No matter how much (we) love each other, personal space is necessary.
아무리 바쁘더라도: No matter how busy (I am), spending time together is a priority.
아무리 잘생겼더라도 / 아무리 사랑하더라도 / 아무리 바쁘더라도
Politeness & Formality
The way you express your values changes significantly depending on who you're talking to. The dialogues show a clear contrast between talking with a close friend (casual) and a new acquaintance on a blind date (polite).
Casual Form (반말) with Friends
Context: When talking to close friends, you can be more direct and use casual language. The sentence structure is often shorter.
Example: Instead of the full ~는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다고 생각해, a friend might just say ~는 게 중요해 or ~는 게 최고야.
Polite: 서로 대화가 통하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다고 생각해요. (I think it's most important that we can communicate well.)
Casual: 서로 대화 통하는 게 중요해. (It's important that we can communicate well.)
Polite Form (존댓말) in Formal Settings
Context: On a first date, or when speaking with someone you don't know well, it's crucial to use polite language (~요, ~습니다). You also tend to use softer, more thoughtful phrasing like ~고 생각해요 (I think that...) to express your opinion without sounding aggressive.
Example: The full pattern ~는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다 is often used in its complete form to sound more thoughtful and formal.
Casual: 아무리 잘생겼더라도 성격 안 맞으면 끝이야. (No matter how handsome, if the personality doesn't match, it's over.)
Polite: 아무리 외모가 뛰어나더라도 성격이 맞지 않으면 힘들 것 같아요. (Even if their appearance is outstanding, I think it would be difficult if our personalities don't match.)
Polite: ~는 것이 중요하다고 생각해요 / Casual: ~는 게 중요해