目錄
People who often watch Korean dramas or YouTube interviews have probably heard the expression 「-긴 해요」 quite often. In textbooks, this pattern is usually translated into Chinese as “it is true that…” or “indeed…”. However, it is not simply a form of emphasis. Many learners initially assume that 「맛있기는 해요」 means “it is very delicious,” but in actual use, the expression often carries an underlying sense of reservation, similar to “It is tasty, but actually…”.
What are the uses of the Korean pattern 「-기는 하다」? Core functions explained
In Korean conversation, people often do not answer directly with “yes” or “no,” or simply say something is “good” or “bad.” Instead, they may first acknowledge one part, then add a condition, contrast, or reservation. 「-기는 하다」 serves exactly this function of acknowledging that something is indeed true. It makes the sentence sound less blunt and helps the “but” that follows sound more natural.
Basic usage and attachment rules for 「-기는 하다」
Attachment rules
| What it attaches to | Pattern | Example |
| Verb | Verb stem＋기는 하다 | 가기는 해요 |
| Adjective | Adjective stem＋기는 하다 | 비싸기는 해요 |
| Noun이다 | Noun＋이기는 하다／기는 하다 | 학생이기는 해요 |
| Past tense | 았/었기는 하다 | 먹어 보기는 했어요 |
「-기는 하다」 can change according to tense and politeness level, appearing as forms such as 「-기는 해요」「-기는 했어요」「-기는 합니다」. In spoken Korean, it is also commonly shortened to 「-긴 해요」 and 「-긴 했어요」.
Usage ① of 「-기는 하다」｜Acknowledging that something is true
This use first acknowledges that the other person has a point or that a certain fact is indeed true. Compared with a straightforward affirmative statement, it carries a little more reservation and often suggests that an additional comment may follow.
- Example: 그 영화 재미있기는 해요.
Romanization: geu yeong-hwa jae-mi-it-gi-neun hae-yo
Translation: That movie is interesting, I’ll give you that.
The speaker acknowledges that the movie is interesting, but leaves room for another evaluation to follow. - Example: 이 가방 예쁘기는 한데 조금 무거워요.
Romanization: i ga-bang ye-ppeu-gi-neun han-de jo-geum mu-geo-wo-yo
Translation: This bag is pretty, but it is a little heavy.
The speaker first acknowledges the positive point, then naturally introduces the drawback. - Example: 시간이 있기는 해요.
Romanization: si-ga-ni it-gi-neun hae-yo
Translation: I do have time.
It does not sound like full agreement yet, and may be followed by something like “but not much.”
Usage ② of 「-기는 하다」｜Making a concession before a contrast
「-기는 하다」 is often used together with 「-지만」「-는데」「그래도」 to create a natural “although…, but…” structure. It sounds softer than starting directly with 「하지만」 because the speaker has first acknowledged the preceding point.
- Example: 맛있기는 하지만 가격이 좀 비싸요.
Romanization: ma-sit-gi-neun ha-ji-man ga-gyeo-gi jom bi-ssa-yo
Translation: It is tasty, but the price is a little high.
This is the most typical concessive contrast. - Example: 가고 싶기는 한데 오늘은 너무 피곤해요.
Romanization: ga-go sip-gi-neun han-de o-neu-reun neo-mu pi-gon-hae-yo
Translation: I do want to go, but I’m too tired today.
This sounds softer than refusing directly and is less likely to hurt the other person’s feelings. - Example: 설명을 듣기는 했지만 아직 잘 모르겠어요.
Romanization: seol-myeong-eul deut-gi-neun haet-ji-man a-jik jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo
Translation: I did listen to the explanation, but I still do not really understand it.
The speaker acknowledges having heard the explanation, then states that their understanding is still incomplete.
Usage ③ of 「-기는 하다」｜Weakening an affirmative or expressing incomplete satisfaction
Sometimes 「-기는 하다」 carries a sense of reservation even when the contrast is not stated explicitly. This is very common in Korean conversation, especially when evaluating food, clothing, or tourist attractions.
- Example: 괜찮기는 해요.
Romanization: gwaen-chan-ki-neun hae-yo
Translation: It is okay, I suppose.
This is not enthusiastic praise, but rather a cautious or restrained positive assessment. - Example: 편하기는 한데 디자인은 평범해요.
Romanization: pyeon-ha-gi-neun han-de di-ja-in-eun pyeong-beom-hae-yo
Translation: It is comfortable, but the design is ordinary.
This works well in shopping-related evaluations. - Example: 유명하기는 하지만 제 취향은 아니었어요.
Romanization: yu-myeong-ha-gi-neun ha-ji-man je chwi-hyang-eun a-ni-eo-sseo-yo
Translation: It is famous, but it was not really my taste.
The speaker acknowledges its popularity while keeping their personal preference separate.
What is the difference between 「-기는 하다」 and 「정말」「아주」?
| Comparison | -기는 하다 | 정말／아주 | -기는 하지만 |
| Core nuance | Acknowledges but leaves reservations | Simple emphasis | Concession followed by contrast |
| Strength of affirmation | Not a full affirmation | Strong affirmation | Affirms first, then contrasts |
| Common situations | Evaluations, refusals, tactful answers | Praise, describing degree | Explaining limitations |
| Spoken contraction | -긴 해요 | None | -긴 하지만 |
| Common mistake | Mistaking it for an intensifier | Lacks the reserved nuance | Making the contrast too strong |
▌「-기는 하다」 is not simply an intensifier
❌ Misunderstanding: 맛있기는 해요 = It is very delicious.
✅ Correct understanding: 맛있기는 해요 = It is tasty, but there may be some reservation in the speaker’s tone.
If you want to praise something strongly, saying 「정말 맛있어요」 directly is more natural.
▌There can still be reservation even without an explicit “but”
❌ Misunderstanding: 괜찮기는 해요 = There is absolutely no problem.
✅ Correct understanding: 괜찮기는 해요 = It is okay, but I am not completely satisfied.
In spoken Korean, the contrast is often left implicit in the tone rather than stated outright.
Korean travel and shopping conversations: Using 「-기는 하다」 to refuse or evaluate something tactfully
When shopping or ordering food in Korea, saying directly that something is bad can sound too blunt. 「-기는 하다」 lets you first acknowledge a positive point before stating a limitation. This makes the interaction softer and fits the rhythm of everyday Korean conversation more naturally.
▌Situation ①｜Trying on a bag
A：이 가방 어때요?
i ga-bang eo-ttae-yo
How is this bag?
B：예쁘기는 한데 조금 무거워요.
ye-ppeu-gi-neun han-de jo-geum mu-geo-wo-yo
It is pretty, but it is a little heavy.
📌 Grammar Point: By acknowledging that the bag is pretty before mentioning its weight, the rejection sounds softer.
▌Situation ②｜A friend invites you out
A：오늘 같이 갈래요?
o-neul ga-chi gal-lae-yo
Do you want to go together today?
B：가고 싶기는 한데 일이 아직 안 끝났어요.
ga-go sip-gi-neun han-de i-ri a-jik an kkeut-na-sseo-yo
I do want to go, but I haven’t finished my work yet.
📌 Grammar Point: 「가고 싶기는 한데」 preserves the other person’s feelings and sounds more natural than a direct refusal.
Cultural Notes:
- In everyday Korean conversation, speakers often avoid direct negation and instead acknowledge part of the other person’s point before mentioning a limitation, which makes the response sound softer.
- 「-긴 해요」 is a shortened spoken form and appears frequently in Korean dramas and YouTube interviews.
- This pattern is not necessarily negative. It can also be used for cautious answers. For example, 「좋기는 해요」 means something is good, but not necessarily good enough to receive full marks.
How does Korean 「-기는 하다」 compare with Japanese 「〜ことは〜」?
◆ Similar grammar: Japanese 「〜ことは〜」
Japanese also has expressions such as 「高いことは高い」 and 「行きたいことは行きたい」, which acknowledge something first and then leave room for reservation. Their nuance is very similar to Korean 「-기는 하다」.
- Example: 高いことは高いですが、質はいいです。
Kana: たかいことはたかいですが、しつはいいです。
Translation: It is expensive, but the quality is good.
The sentence first acknowledges the high price and then adds a positive condition. - Example: 行きたいことは行きたいけど、今日は疲れています。
Kana: いきたいことはいきたいけど、きょうはつかれています。
Translation: I do want to go, but I’m tired today.
The nuance is very close to Korean 「가고 싶기는 한데」.
◆ Core difference from 「-기는 하다」:
Korean 「-기는 하다」 is more frequent in everyday speech, and the shortened form 「-긴 해요」 sounds very natural. Japanese 「〜ことは〜」 is also common, but depending on the sentence, it may sometimes sound more like an explicit contrast.
The main point of this pattern is not complete affirmation, but the conversational space left after acknowledging a fact. In everyday life, many things are difficult to divide simply into right or wrong. Acknowledging part of the reality first and then expressing your own view is a response style that is very common in shopping situations and interactions between friends in Korea.
FAQs
「-기는 하다」 acknowledges that something is true, but usually carries some degree of reservation. It can be translated as “it is true that…,” “admittedly…,” or “it is…, but…”.
「정말」 is a straightforward intensifier, while 「-기는 하다」 acknowledges something while leaving room for reservation. To say something is very delicious, use 「정말 맛있어요」. To say “it is tasty, but…,” use 「맛있기는 해요」.
「-긴 해요」 is the spoken contraction of 「-기는 해요」. It is very common in everyday conversation and still means that the speaker acknowledges something while maintaining a little distance or reservation.
No. It can be followed by forms such as 「하지만」 or 「한데」, but the contrast does not always have to be stated explicitly. Even without a contrast marker, the tone may still carry a sense of reservation.
Yes. An expression such as 「가고 싶기는 한데」 first acknowledges that the speaker wants to go, then gives the reason they cannot. This sounds softer than refusing directly.