目錄
The most interesting thing about the Korean word 「아무래도」 is that the same adverb can move in two almost completely opposite directions. On one side, it expresses a subjective inference like “somehow I feel” or “the more I think about it, the more it seems that way,” and in this usage it very often naturally pairs with 「것 같다」. On the other side, it can carry a concessive sense of “it doesn’t matter either way” or “anything is fine,” in which case it easily combines with 「상관없다」. This article will explain these two paths together so that the distinction becomes clear.
What are the uses of 「아무래도」? Its core functions
「아무래도」 appears frequently in the workplace, casual conversation, and Korean drama dialogue because it is well suited to expressing the attitude of “I have made a judgment, but I am not stating it as absolute.” For example, 「아무래도 오늘 비가 올 것 같아요」 does not firmly declare that it will definitely rain. Instead, it expresses a subjective judgment based on things such as the appearance of the sky, the humidity, or the overall atmosphere. This kind of wording, which leaves some room for uncertainty, is extremely common in Korean conversation.
However, 「아무래도」 does not only express inference. When it appears in a fixed combination such as 「아무래도 상관없다」, its meaning shifts to “it does not matter either way” or “however it turns out is fine.” The same word can mean “the more I think about it, the more it seems so” in one context and “any way is fine” in another. If you do not distinguish the expression that follows it, it is easy to interpret the nuance in the exact opposite way.
The basic nuance of Korean 「아무래도」 and its common combinations
The core meaning of 「아무래도」 can be divided into two directions. The first is a subjective inference formed after thinking about or observing something. The second is a concessive nuance in which the result is unaffected no matter how the conditions change. When interpreting it, do not look only at 「아무래도」 itself; also look at the expression that follows it.
| Usage | Common combination | English nuance | Example |
| Subjective inference | 아무래도＋것 같다 | somehow, it seems, judging from everything | 아무래도 비가 올 것 같아요. |
| Concession / indifference | 아무래도＋상관없다 | it does not matter either way | 아무래도 상관없어요. |
| Compared with 「아마」 | 아마＋-(으)ㄹ 거예요 | probably, likely | 아마 비가 올 거예요. |
| Compared with 「어쩌면」 | 어쩌면＋-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 | perhaps, maybe | 어쩌면 비가 올지도 몰라요. |
Usage ① of 「아무래도」｜Expressing a subjective inference, often with 「것 같다」
When 「아무래도」 expresses an inference, it is not simply a random guess. It conveys a judgment formed from certain clues: “the more I think about it, the more it seems this way.” It is often used together with 「-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다」 or 「-(으)ㄹ 것 같다」, giving the sentence a tentative, non-dogmatic tone. Compared with directly saying that something will definitely happen, this phrasing leaves a little room for uncertainty.
- Example: 아무래도 오늘 비가 올 것 같아요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do o-neul bi-ga ol geot ga-ta-yo
Translation: Somehow, I feel like it is going to rain today.
This sentence is usually a judgment based on the appearance of the sky or the humidity in the air. 「아무래도」 makes the inference feel more subjective than a simple 「아마」. - Example: 아무래도 그 사람이 벌써 떠난 것 같아요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do geu sa-ra-mi beol-sseo tteo-nan geot ga-ta-yo
Translation: Somehow, I think that person has already left.
「떠난 것 같다」 expresses an inference about something that has already happened, while 「아무래도」 adds the sense of “the more I think about it, the more it seems that way.” - Example: 아무래도 회의가 길어질 것 같아요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-jil geot ga-ta-yo
Translation: It seems like the meeting is going to run long.
This kind of expression is common in workplace conversations. It avoids stating the outcome as certain, but it is not a completely baseless guess either.
Usage ② of 「아무래도」｜Expressing concession or indifference, often with 「상관없다」
When 「아무래도」 is combined with 「상관없다」, its nuance shifts from inference to concession. Here, it does not mean “it seems.” Instead, it means that no matter how something turns out, it does not affect anything and is not important. This usage often appears when the options are unimportant, when the speaker has no strong preference about details, or when the result matters more than the method.
- Example: 그런 사소한 일은 아무래도 상관없어요.
Romanization: geu-reon sa-so-han i-reun a-mu-rae-do sang-gwan-eop-seo-yo
Translation: Something that minor doesn’t matter either way.
Here, 「아무래도」 does not express an inference. It means that however that minor matter turns out, it will not affect the judgment. - Example: 뭐 그런 건 아무래도 상관없어요.
Romanization: mwo geu-reon geon a-mu-rae-do sang-gwan-eop-seo-yo
Translation: Well, something like that doesn’t really matter either way.
Adding 「뭐」 in conversation makes the tone more casual, close to saying, “There’s no need to worry about details like that.” - Example: 결과만 좋으면 방법은 아무래도 상관없어요.
Romanization: gyeol-gwa-man jo-eu-myeon bang-beo-beun a-mu-rae-do sang-gwan-eop-seo-yo
Translation: As long as the result is good, the method doesn’t matter either way.
This sentence contrasts the “result” with the “method.” 「아무래도 상관없다」 indicates that the method itself is not the important part.
Usage ③ of 「아무래도」｜At the beginning of a sentence, it emphasizes an overall judgment
「아무래도」 often appears at the beginning of a sentence to signal the speaker’s attitude toward the judgment before stating the judgment itself. This is not necessarily a strict grammatical restriction on its position. Rather, it is a very natural way of organizing information in spoken Korean: first indicate “judging from everything, it seems this way,” and then give the actual inference. A sentence-initial adverb like this lets the listener receive the speaker’s stance before processing the judgment itself.
- Example: 아무래도 이건 다시 확인해야 할 것 같아요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do i-geon da-si hwa-gi-nae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo
Translation: It seems like we should check this again.
This is common in work or discussion settings. Using 「아무래도」 makes the suggestion sound more tentative. - Example: 아무래도 이 식당은 예약해야 할 것 같아요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do i sik-dang-eun ye-ya-kae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo
Translation: It seems like we should make a reservation at this restaurant.
The speaker may be judging from the restaurant’s popularity, the line outside, or the time of day. The sentence sounds more natural and less direct than a firm instruction. - Example: 아무래도 오늘은 일찍 들어가는 게 좋겠어요.
Romanization: a-mu-rae-do o-neu-reun il-jjik deu-reo-ga-neun ge jo-ke-sseo-yo
Translation: I think it would be better to head home early today.
This sentence carries both a subjective judgment and a suggestion, and it can be used in situations involving bad weather, poor health, or a change of plans.
What is the difference between Korean 「아무래도、아마、어쩌면」?
「아무래도」 is often compared with 「아마」 and 「어쩌면」 because all three are related to inference. They are not synonyms, however. The difference lies in the source of the inference and the degree of confidence. 「아마」 is closer to a general prediction of “probably,” while 「어쩌면」 leans toward “perhaps” or “maybe.” 「아무래도」, by contrast, suggests that after considering the situation as a whole, the speaker increasingly feels that something is the case.
| Point of comparison | 아무래도 | 아마 | 어쩌면 |
| Core nuance | The more I consider it, the more it seems so | probably, likely | perhaps, maybe |
| Basis of inference | Subjective intuition plus an overall judgment of the situation | General prediction | Low-confidence possibility |
| Degree of confidence | Medium, with a subjective element | Relatively high | Relatively low |
| Common combination | ～것 같다 | ～(으)ㄹ 거예요 | ～(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 |
| Common mistake | Treating it as directly interchangeable with 아마 | Using it too much like a subjective intuition marker | Overusing it with 것 같다 in ways that sound awkward |
| Correct example | 아무래도 비가 올 것 같아요. | 아마 비가 올 거예요. | 어쩌면 비가 올지도 몰라요. |
▌「아무래도」 vs. 「아마」: one leans toward intuitive judgment, the other toward general prediction
❌ Unnatural: 아무래도 내일 비가 올 거예요.
✅ Correct: 아무래도 내일 비가 올 것 같아요.
✅ Correct: 아마 내일 비가 올 거예요.
「아마」 combines very naturally with 「-(으)ㄹ 거예요」 and sounds like an ordinary prediction. 「아무래도」 is more naturally paired with 「것 같다」 because it carries a subjective sense of “looking at the situation as a whole, it seems this way.” Both can be translated with words such as “probably,” “apparently,” or “it seems,” but their sentence endings cannot simply be swapped mechanically.
▌「아무래도」 vs. 「어쩌면」: one has signs pointing toward an answer, the other is only a possibility
❌ Unnatural: 어쩌면 그 사람이 거짓말을 하는 것 같아요.
✅ Correct: 아무래도 그 사람이 거짓말을 하는 것 같아요.
✅ Correct: 어쩌면 그 사람이 거짓말을 하고 있을지도 몰라요.
「어쩌면」 expresses a lower degree of confidence and often combines with 「-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다」 to mean “perhaps” or “maybe.” If the speaker has already noticed certain signs and increasingly feels that things point toward a particular conclusion, 「아무래도」 is closer to that nuance.
▌「아무래도 상관없다」 cannot be replaced with 「아마」 or 「어쩌면」
❌ Unnatural: 아마 상관없어요. (when you mean “it doesn’t matter either way”)
✅ Correct: 아무래도 상관없어요.
「아무래도 상관없다」 is a fixed combination conveying the sense that “however it turns out, it is fine.” This is not an inference, so 「아마」 or 「어쩌면」 cannot be substituted for it.
「아무래도」 in Korean conversation: everyday situations and tactful workplace dialogue
In Korean conversation, 「아무래도」 is often used to avoid sounding overly categorical. Particularly in the workplace or in situations where the speaker needs to be considerate of the listener, directly saying “this is definitely the case” can sound too strong. By using 「아무래도 ～것 같아요」 instead, the speaker can express a judgment while still leaving room for revision. This is also why the expression appears so frequently in Korean drama dialogue: the character is not simply guessing, but making a judgment based on what they have observed, with some confidence but without treating it as absolute.
▌Situation ①｜Guessing why a coworker is absent
A：김 대리님이 오늘 안 보이네요. 무슨 일 있나요?
kim dae-ri-ni-mi o-neul an bo-i-ne-yo. mu-seun il in-na-yo
I don’t see Assistant Manager Kim today. Did something happen?
B：아무래도 몸이 안 좋아서 못 나온 것 같아요. 어제도 안색이 안 좋았거든요.
a-mu-rae-do mo-mi an jo-a-seo mot na-on geot ga-ta-yo. eo-je-do an-sae-gi an jo-at-geo-deun-yo
It seems like they couldn’t come in because they weren’t feeling well. They looked unwell yesterday too.
📌 Grammar Point: 「아무래도」 together with the reason that follows makes the inference sound less like a casual guess and more like a judgment based on observation.
▌Situation ②｜Discussing whether to bring an umbrella before going out
A：하늘이 좀 흐린데 우산 가져갈까요?
ha-neu-ri jom heu-rin-de u-san ga-jyeo-gal-kka-yo
The sky looks a little cloudy. Should we bring an umbrella?
B：네, 아무래도 오후에 비가 올 것 같으니까 가져가는 게 좋겠어요.
ne, a-mu-rae-do o-hu-e bi-ga ol geot ga-teu-ni-kka ga-jyeo-ga-neun ge jo-ke-sseo-yo
Yes, it looks like it might rain this afternoon, so I think it would be better to bring one.
📌 Grammar Point: Here, 「아무래도」 expresses a judgment based on the appearance of the sky. It is more tentative than 「비가 올 거예요」 but conveys more confidence than 「비가 올지도 몰라요」.
▌Situation ③｜Discussing whether a choice matters
A：색깔은 파란색이 좋아요, 검은색이 좋아요?
saek-kka-reun pa-ran-sae-gi jo-a-yo, geo-meun-sae-gi jo-a-yo
Would you prefer blue or black?
B：색깔은 아무래도 상관없어요. 가격이 더 중요해요.
saek-kka-reun a-mu-rae-do sang-gwan-eop-seo-yo. ga-gyeo-gi deo jung-yo-hae-yo
The color doesn’t really matter either way. The price is more important.
📌 Grammar Point: 「아무래도 상관없어요」 is not an inference. It indicates that this particular condition is not important.
Cultural Notes:
- In Korean workplace communication, making a direct assertion can sometimes sound too forceful. 「아무래도」 softens the judgment slightly, allowing the speaker to express an opinion without sounding excessively categorical.
- Although 「아무래도 상관없다」 is often translated as “it doesn’t matter” or “I don’t care,” it does not necessarily sound cold. In many cases, it simply indicates that a particular option is not important. The speaker’s attitude still needs to be interpreted from intonation and context.
- 「아무래도」 belongs to the same broader system of inferential expressions as 거예요、겠어요、나 보다、것 같다. The adverb indicates the source of the inference, while the sentence ending indicates the degree of confidence. Looking at both together helps prevent misreading the nuance.
How should Korean 「아무래도」 be understood alongside Japanese 「どうも／どうやら〜ようだ」?
◆ Similar grammar: Japanese 「どうも／どうやら〜ようだ」
Japanese 「どうも」 and 「どうやら〜ようだ」 are also often used to express a subjective judgment formed from the overall situation. They do not necessarily imply clear evidence, but they convey the sense of “it looks that way” or “somehow it seems that way.” In this respect, they are very close to Korean 「아무래도 ～것 같다」.
- *Example:**どうやら雨が降りそうです。
- *Example:**どうも彼はもう帰ったようです。
◆ The core difference from 「아무래도」:
Japanese 「どうも／どうやら」 mainly corresponds to the inferential use of 「아무래도」, but it does not directly correspond to the concessive use in 「아무래도 상관없다」. When you encounter 「아무래도 상관없어요」, you should not interpret it through Japanese inferential adverbs. Instead, you need to return to concessive expressions such as 「どうでもいい」 or 「どちらでもかまわない」.
In practice, there is no need to memorize a list of different translations for Korean 「아무래도」. The easiest and least error-prone way to interpret it is simply to look at what is attached to the end of the sentence. If you see 「것 같다」 at the end, the speaker is looking at the situation and making a subjective inference with a certain degree of confidence. If it is followed by 「상관없다」 instead, the options or details mentioned earlier are not really the point; the speaker is simply expressing, in a relaxed way, that any arrangement is fine.
Common FAQs
The core nuance of 「아무래도」 is “however I think about it” or “however I look at it, it seems that way.” Its most common use is to express a subjective inference, often corresponding to English expressions such as “somehow” or “it seems.”
When expressing an inference, 「아무래도」 is very commonly paired with 「것 같다」. In its concessive use, however, it is often combined with 「상관없다」, changing the meaning to “it doesn’t matter either way.”
「아마」 leans toward a general prediction meaning “probably” and often combines with 「-(으)ㄹ 거예요」. 「아무래도」 carries more of a subjective intuition and an overall judgment of the situation, and it often combines with 「것 같다」.
「어쩌면」 expresses a lower degree of confidence and often means “perhaps” or “maybe.” By comparison, 「아무래도」 is generally a judgment formed from certain signs or clues and usually carries more confidence than 「어쩌면」.
「아무래도 상관없다」 means that it does not matter however something turns out, or that any option is fine. Here, 「아무래도」 is not expressing an inference but a concessive nuance.