What is ‘-도’ in Korean grammar?: Also, As well, Too, or Even
Dec 27, 2022
- Author: Marilene Turam (France), Tina Fennell (U.K.)
- Editor: Good Job Korean team
The particle ‘-도’ is used as the meaning of “also”, “too”, “as well”, and “even”. Since ‘-도’ is a particle, it always has to go after a noun.
Ex)
컴퓨터 (computer) -> 컴퓨터도 (computer as well, even a computer)
저 (I, me) -> 저도 (I also, me too)
친구 -> 친구도 (my friend too, my friend also)
배 -> 배도 (stomach too, even my stomach)
Let’s check how it is used in a sentence with example sentences.
Examples #1. 도 with subject/topic in the sentence
배가 아파요.
My stomach hurts. (I have a stomachache)
배도 아파요.
My stomach also hurts. (I also have a stomachache)
*배: stomach *아프다: to be sick, to hurt
친구는 아빠가 의사예요.
Speaking of my friend, his father is a doctor.
친구도 아빠가 의사예요.
My friend too, his father is a doctor. (My friend’s father is also a doctor)
*친구: friend *아빠: father *의사: doctor
Examples #2. Compare 2 similar sentences
저도 컴퓨터를 샀어요.
I also bought a computer.
저는 컴퓨터도 샀어요.
I also bought a computer.
Depending on which noun is followed after ‘도’, the implication and emphasis in the sentence can be different.
저도 컴퓨터를 샀어요.
I also bought a computer. (Me too, I bought a computer)
저는 컴퓨터도 샀어요.
I bought a computer as well (not only other electronics)
*컴퓨터: computer *사다: to buy
*NOTE
You have to remember that you cannot use the particle ‘도’ and ‘은/는/이/가/을/를’(topic/subject/object marker) at the same time. For example, it is wrong to say ‘저는도’, ‘저를도’ or ‘친구가도’, etc. As you add the particle ‘-도’ to topic, subject, or object in the sentence, you always drop the other particles.
Using 도 with a verb
In order to use ‘-도’ with a verb, we need to add ‘기도 하다’ to the verb stem. This is because you need to change a verb to its noun form in order to add a particle as a particle cannot go after a verb directly.
Ex)
먹다 (to eat) -> 먹기 (noun form: eating) -> 먹기도 하다 (to also eat, to even eat)
사다 (to buy) -> 사기 (noun form: buying) -> 사기도 하다 (to also buy, to even buy)
쉬다 (to rest) -> 쉬기 (noun form: resting) -> 쉬기도 하다 (to also rest, to even rest)
Examples #3. Use ‘도’ with a verb
저는 컴퓨터를 사기도 해요.
I do (other things like selling, repairing…) and also buy computer.
배가 고파요. 그런데 배가 아프기도 해요.
I’m hungry, but I also have a stomachache.
Example #4. Context of ‘sometimes’
When using ‘-기도 하다’ structure, it can also have the meaning of ‘sometimes do something’
A: 의진 씨는 매일 일해요?
A: Euijin, do you work every day?
B: 아니요. 쉬기도 해요.
B: NO, I also take a rest. (I sometimes take a rest)
*매일: everyday *일하다: to work *쉬다: to rest
A: 왜 오늘 밥 안 먹어요?
A: Why do you not eat a meal today?
B: 배 안 고프면 안 먹기도 해요.
B: I sometimes don’t eat if I’m not hungry.
*왜: why *오늘: today *밥: meal, rice *먹다: to eat *배고프다: to be hungry
Examples
Example #1.
저도 축구 봐요.
Me too, I watch football.
저는 축구도 봐요.
I watch other things(baseball, basketball) and football as well.
저는 축구를 보기도 해요.
I (do other things such as playing football and) also watch football.
*축구: football(soccer) *보다: to watch
Example #2.
아버지도 술을 마셨어요.
(Other people and) My father too, drank alcohol
아버지는 술도 마셨어요.
My father drank other things(beverages) and alcohol as well.
아버지는 술을 마시기도 했어요.
My father did other things(dancing, talking…) and also drank alcohol.
*아버지: father(polite speech) *술: alcohol *마시다: to drink
Example #3.
친구도 야채를 먹을 거예요. (used after topic)
Other people and my friend too, he will eat vegetables.
친구는 야채도 먹을 거예요. (used after the object)
My friend will eat other things(bread, meat…) and vegetables as well.
친구는 야채를 먹기도 할 거예요. (used after the verb)
My friend will do other things(cook, sell…) and also eat vegetables.
*친구: friend *야채: vegetable *먹다: to eat
- Author: Marilene Turam (France), Tina Fennell (U.K.)
- Editor: Good Job Korean team
