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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 12: But still, Nevertheless (그래도)

In this unit, we will learn a useful conjunction that connects two sentences: 그래도 (geu-rae-do).

What does 그래도 mean?

그래도 means "But still," "Nevertheless," or "Even so." It is made up of two parts: * 그래 (geu-rae) = it is so / that is so * -도 (-do) = also / even

So literally, it means "Even if that is so..."

You use 그래도 at the beginning of the second sentence when you acknowledge the fact in the first sentence, but say that something else is true or will happen despite that fact.

그래도 vs. 그렇지만 / 하지만 (But)

While 그렇지만 and 하지만 simply mean "but" or "however," 그래도 has a stronger nuance of "despite that fact" or "nevertheless."

  • 하지만 / 그렇지만: 비가 와요. 하지만 갈 거예요. (It is raining. But I will go.) (Simple contrast)
  • 그래도: 비가 와요. 그래도 갈 거예요. (It is raining. But still/Nevertheless, I will go.) (Emphasizes doing it despite the rain)

Example Sentences

  1. A: 한국어 공부가 어려워요. (Studying Korean is difficult.) B: 그래도 재미있어요. (But still, it is interesting.)

  2. 오늘 너무 피곤해요. 그래도 숙제를 해야 돼요. (I am too tired today. Nevertheless, I have to do my homework.)

  3. 가방이 비싸요. 그래도 사고 싶어요. (The bag is expensive. Even so, I want to buy it.)

  4. 어제 많이 잤어요. 그래도 졸려요. (I slept a lot yesterday. But still, I am sleepy.)