Admit partially

This pattern is used to acknowledge or admit a fact, while often implying there's another side to the story. It's the Korean equivalent of saying "It's true that..." or "I admit it is..., but...". It shows you've considered the other person's point before adding your own contrasting opinion.

Formation

Attach -긴 하다 directly to the stem of a verb or adjective. The script focuses on adjectives.

Adjective Stem + -긴 하다

비싸다 (to be expensive) → 비싸 + 긴 하다 → 비싸긴 하다

맛있다 (to be delicious) → 맛있 + 긴 하다 → 맛있긴 하다

춥다 (to be cold) → 추 + -ㅂ/우 rule → 추우 + 긴 하다 → 춥긴 하다 (irregular)

Usage

Use this pattern when you agree with a statement to some extent, but you have a reservation or a counterpoint. The sentences in this lesson, like 비싸긴 해, are often the first part of a longer thought.

비싸긴 해. / 맛있긴 해요. / 어렵긴 해. / 춥긴 해요.

While the script lines are short, in a real conversation, -긴 하다 almost always sets up a contrast. The listener naturally expects you to continue with a "but" clause, usually using -ㄴ/는데 or -지만.

Even if you stop at 비싸긴 해요., the unspoken meaning is "I agree it's expensive, but..." (maybe it's worth it, or maybe that's why I'm not buying it). The pattern's main job is to validate the other person's point before you introduce your own.

Here's how these sentences would likely continue in a real conversation:

맛있긴 한데 너무 매워요. (It's delicious, but it's too spicy.)

예쁘긴 한데 제 스타일은 아니에요. (It's pretty, but it's not my style.)

편하긴 하지만 가격이 좀 부담스러워요. (It's comfortable, but the price is a bit of a burden.)

좋긴 한데 너무 비싸요. / 편하긴 한데 너무 멀어요. / 재밌긴 한데 좀 유치해요.

You can slightly modify this pattern to change the emphasis or formality.