-(으)ㄴ들
Used when acknowledging a condition in the first part, but arguing that it still wouldn't change the expected (negative or futile) outcome.
Summary
Equivalent
Granted that... / Even if (you say so)...
Also: -아도/어도 · -더라도
Example
The results are already out, so even if you regret it now, what use would it be?
결과가 이미 나왔는데 지금 와서 후회한들 무슨 소용이 있겠어요?
Grammar rules
- The following clause is almost always a rhetorical question ending in '-겠어요?' or '-(으)ㄹ까(요)?', expecting a 'no' or 'of course not' answer.
- It expresses futility.
- Interchangeable with '-아도/어도' but sounds much more literary or classical.
- It can be paired with '아무리' (no matter how) to emphasize futility.
아무리 돈이 많은들 건강을 잃으면 무슨 소용이겠어요? (No matter how much money you have, what use is it if you lose your health?)
- Can be used in the past tense '-(았/었)던들' to express regret over a missed opportunity (If only... had happened, then...).
그때 용기를 내어 고백했던들 지금 후회하지는 않을 텐데. (If only I had mustered the courage to confess then, I wouldn't be regretting it now.)
Patterns
A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)
현재 (Present) · -(으)ㄴ들
N이다 (Noun-based)
현재 (Present) · 인들
Example sentences
The results are already out, so even if you regret it now, what use would it be?
결과가 이미 나왔는데 지금 와서 후회한들 무슨 소용이 있겠어요?
Even if I tell the truth, do you think people would believe me?
아무리 진실을 말한들 사람들이 나를 믿어 줄까요?
Even if you do it all by yourself, do you really think you can finish that much work?
혼자서 다 한들 그 많은 일을 끝낼 수 있겠니?
Conversation
A: How wonderful would it be if we could turn back time?
시간을 돌릴 수 있다면 얼마나 좋을까요?
B: Even if we turned back time, we probably wouldn't be able to change what has already happened.
시간을 돌린들 이미 일어난 일은 바꿀 수 없을 거예요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct phrase utilizing a rhetorical question of futility.
외모가 출중해도 성격이 나쁘면 안 됩니다.
변명을 해봤자 아무도 듣지 않을 거예요.