Advanced Estimated read: 3 mins

-는 마당에

Used to describe a definitive situation that makes the following action or decision feel inevitable, ironic, or surprising.

Summary

Equivalent

Now that..., Under the circumstances..., In a situation where...

Also: -(으)ㄴ 판에

Example

Now that you've already broken up, what's the point of arguing over whose fault it was?

이미 헤어진 마당에 잘못을 따져 봤자 무슨 소용이 있겠어요?

Grammar rules

  • It implies 'In a situation like this, what else can I do?
  • / How can you do [X] when [Situation Y] is happening?' Often used to emphasize common sense or a sense of helplessness/inevitability.

Patterns

1

V (Verbs)

현재 (Present) · -는 마당에

2

V (Verbs)

과거 (Past) · -(으)ㄴ 마당에

3

A (Adjectives)

현재 (Present) · -(으)ㄴ 마당에

Example sentences

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 마당에

Now that you've already broken up, what's the point of arguing over whose fault it was?

이미 헤어진 마당에 잘못을 따져 봤자 무슨 소용이 있겠어요?

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 마당에

In a situation where everyone else is starving, can you really eat your fill all by yourself?

남들은 다 굶는 마당에 너 혼자 배불리 먹을 수 있겠니?

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 마당에

Now that things have turned out this way, there's no need to hide it anymore.

일이 이렇게 된 마당에 더 이상 숨길 필요가 없겠지요.

Conversation

A: Are you leaving already? There's still work left.

벌써 퇴근하세요? 일이 아직 남았는데.

B: In this incredibly busy situation, I feel bad leaving alone, but I have something urgent.

정신없이 바쁜 마당에 나 혼자 퇴근하려니 미안하네요. 하지만 급한 일이 있어서요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct 'now that/in this situation' phrase.

Too busy to help others.

Truth is out.