Advanced (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

여간 -지 않다

Used to emphasize a state or action by using a double negative to create a strong positive meaning. It indicates a high degree of something.

Summary

Equivalent

Extremely..., Exceptionally..., Quite...

Also: 매우 ~하다 · 여간 -는 것이 아니다

Example

It is extremely difficult to change one's innate personality.

타고난 성격을 바꾸는 것은 여간 어렵지 않아요.

Grammar rules

  • It implies 'It's not just a little [X], it's very [X].' Always used in a negative form (지 않다 / 아니다) but conveys a strong affirmative message.
  • For nouns, use the form '여간 N이/가 아니다'.

    우리 선생님은 여간 친절한 분이 아니에요. (Our teacher is an exceptionally kind person.)

Patterns

1

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)

현재 (Present) · 여간 -지 않다

2

N (Nouns)

현재 (Present) · 여간 N이/가 아니다

Example sentences

It is extremely difficult to change one's innate personality.

타고난 성격을 바꾸는 것은 여간 어렵지 않아요.

That singer is an incredibly good dancer.

그 가수는 여간 춤을 잘 추지 않아요.

It's extremely inconvenient every morning because we share the bathroom.

화장실을 같이 사용하니까 아침마다 여간 불편하지 않아요.

Conversation

A: How is the new phone?

새로 나온 핸드폰 어때요?

B: It's expensive, but the design is pretty and it has many features, so it's extremely popular.

가격이 비싸긴 한데 디자인도 예쁘고 기능도 많아서 여간 인기가 많지 않더라고요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct 'extremely' emphasis phrase.

A proud son.

A difficult task.