🧐

Emphasis through Doubt: -기야 하겠느냐마는

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Advanced Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🧐 -기야 하겠느냐마는 [-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] means “Would it really…? Probably not, but…” or “It may not exactly…, but…”
  • ⚖️ It combines emphasis + rhetorical doubt + concession: the speaker downplays the first idea, then still makes a careful point.
  • 🧾 This is an advanced, formal/written pattern. It feels natural in essays, commentary, speeches, literary narration, and cautious analysis — not tiny casual chat.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to sentences like 쉽게 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 [swip-ge ba-kwi-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] and 큰 문제가 되기야 하겠느냐마는 [keun mun-je-ga doe-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]. The rhythm should sound like a thoughtful eyebrow raise, not a shouted argument. 🧐
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-기야 하겠느냐마는 is a polished way to say: “I doubt A would really happen / be true, but I’ll still admit the possibility and move to B.” It is concession with a skeptical little umbrella. ☂️
 
Break the feeling into two clauses:
  • Clause A: something the speaker thinks is unlikely, exaggerated, or not fully convincing.
  • Clause B: a caution, contrast, recommendation, or follow-up point that still matters.
 
A natural English shape is:
  • “Would it really A? Maybe not, but B.”
  • “It may not exactly A, but B.”
  • “I doubt it would A, but B.”
  • “It probably won’t A, but B.”
 
This form is especially useful for advanced writing because it lets you sound balanced: you are not panicking, but you are also not ignoring the issue. Very “calm scholar with coffee.” ☕📚
 

🎨 The Core -기야 하겠느냐마는 Family

1. Action verb stem + -기야 하겠느냐마는

Use it when the doubted idea is an action or change.
  • 바뀌다 → 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 [ba-kwi-da → ba-kwi-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really change?
  • 늦어지다 → 늦어지기야 하겠느냐마는 [neu-jeo-ji-da → neu-jeo-ji-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really be delayed?
  • 사라지다 → 사라지기야 하겠느냐마는 [sa-ra-ji-da → sa-ra-ji-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really disappear?
 

2. Descriptive verb/adjective stem + -기야 하겠느냐마는

Use it when the doubted idea is a state or quality.
  • 어렵다 → 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeop-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really be difficult?
  • 크다 → 크기야 하겠느냐마는 [keu-da → keu-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really be big/serious?
  • 위험하다 → 위험하기야 하겠느냐마는 [wi-heom-ha-da → wi-heom-ha-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really be dangerous?
 

3. Noun + 이기야 하겠느냐마는

For nouns, attach 이기야 하겠느냐마는 after the noun. In actual writing, many speakers avoid clunky noun forms by using 문제가 되다 [mun-je-ga doe-da] = to become a problem, 위험이 되다 [wi-heo-mi doe-da] = to become a risk, or another verb phrase.
  • 실패 → 실패이기야 하겠느냐마는 [sil-pae → sil-pae-i-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — would it really be a failure?
  • More natural: 실패라고 하기야 어렵겠느냐마는 [sil-pae-ra-go ha-gi-ya eo-ryeop-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] — it may be hard to call it a failure, but…
 

4. Shorter neighbor: -기야 하겠냐마는

하겠냐마는 [ha-get-nya-ma-neun] is also seen. The longer 하겠느냐마는 [ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] sounds more formal/literary, which fits advanced writing. 🖋️
 

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

1. Policy change
  • 규정이 하루아침에 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는, 작은 변화라도 살펴볼 필요가 있습니다.
      • [gyu-jeo-ngi ha-ru-a-chi-me ba-kwi-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun ja-geun byeon-hwa-ra-do sal-pyeo-bol pi-ryo-ga it-seum-ni-da]
      Would the regulation really change overnight? Probably not, but even a small change needs to be examined. 📜
      규정 = regulation, 하루아침에 = overnight, 작은 변화 = small change, 살펴보다 = to examine.
 
2. Budget concern
  • 예산이 당장 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는, 장기 계획은 다시 검토해야 합니다.
      • [ye-sa-ni dang-jang bu-jo-ka-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun jang-gi gye-hoe-geun da-shi geom-to-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
      The budget probably won’t be insufficient immediately, but the long-term plan should be reviewed again. 💰
      예산 = budget, 당장 = immediately, 부족하다 = to be insufficient, 장기 계획 = long-term plan, 검토하다 = to review.
 
3. Public trust
  • 한 번의 실수로 신뢰가 사라지기야 하겠느냐마는, 설명은 분명해야 합니다.
      • [han beo-ne sil-su-ro sil-loe-ga sa-ra-ji-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun seol-myeo-ngeun bun-myeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
      Trust probably won’t disappear from one mistake, but the explanation must be clear. 🤝
      한 번의 실수 = one mistake, 신뢰 = trust, 사라지다 = to disappear, 설명 = explanation, 분명하다 = to be clear.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Attach -기야 하겠느냐마는 to the verb/adjective stem.
 

1. Verb/adjective stem + 기야 하겠느냐마는

  • 바뀌다 → 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 [ba-kwi-da → ba-kwi-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
  • 부족하다 → 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는 [bu-jo-ka-da → bu-jo-ka-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
  • 어렵다 → 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeop-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
 

2. What each piece does

  • -기 [-gi] turns the predicate into a noun-like idea: “the act/state of doing/being.”
  • 야 [ya] adds focus/emphasis: “as for really doing/being that…”
  • 하겠느냐 [ha-get-neu-nya] is a formal rhetorical question: “would it really do/be so?”
  • 마는 [ma-neun] concedes and turns forward: “but / though…”
 

🚨 Exception Rule(s)

There is no stem-changing irregular inside -기야 because -기 attaches directly to the dictionary stem.
  • ✅ 어렵다 → 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeop-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
      • Do not change it to 어려우기야.
  • ✅ 멀다 → 멀기야 하겠느냐마는 [meol-da → meol-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
      • Do not drop ㄹ.
  • ✅ 낫다 → 낫기야 하겠느냐마는 [nat-da → nat-gi-ya ha-get-neu-nya-ma-neun]
      • No ㅅ-irregular change before -기.
 

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was cross-checked against korean.go.kr. Korean.go.kr explains 마는 as a particle used after endings like -냐, -습니다, and -을까 to acknowledge the preceding fact while showing doubt or contrast, and gives examples such as 얼마 되겠느냐마는 [eol-ma doe-get-neu-nya-ma-neun] = “It may not be much, but…”. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

These neighbors overlap, but they do different jobs:
  • -기는 하겠지만 [-gi-neun ha-get-ji-man] — “it may indeed…, but…” More direct and less literary.
      • 어렵기는 하겠지만 가능합니다. [eo-ryeop-gi-neun ha-get-ji-man ga-neung-ham-ni-da] = It may be difficult, but it is possible.
  • -기야 하겠냐마는 [-gi-ya ha-get-nya-ma-neun] — shorter rhetorical-doubt version.
      • 크기야 하겠냐마는 확인은 해야 합니다. [keu-gi-ya ha-get-nya-ma-neun hwa-gi-neun hae-ya ham-ni-da] = It probably isn’t serious, but we should check.
  • -기는 어렵겠지만 [-gi-neun eo-ryeop-get-ji-man] — “it may be hard to…, but…” Focuses on difficulty, not rhetorical doubt.
  • -더라도 [-deo-ra-do] — “even if,” stronger and more straightforward; it does not carry the same skeptical “would it really?” flavor.
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 어려우기야 하겠느냐마는 → ✅ 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 — -기 attaches to the unchanged stem.
  • ❌ 바뀌야 하겠느냐마는 → ✅ 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 — do not drop 기.
  • ❌ Using it for tiny daily reassurance like “The coffee probably won’t be cold, but…” → ✅ use simpler -지는 않겠지만 or -기는 하겠지만 in casual speech.
  • ❌ Treating it as pure “but” → ✅ it contains rhetorical doubt: “Would it really…? Probably not, but…”
  • ❌ Writing 마는 as 만은 in this pattern → ✅ 하겠느냐마는.
 
🧐 Bottom line: -기야 하겠느냐마는 is your advanced “I doubt it really goes that far, but let’s still be careful” grammar. It lets your writing concede without collapsing into panic — a very elegant umbrella in argumentative weather. ☂️✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions
Complete each sentence with the correct -기야 하겠느냐마는 form. Read the full sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle to check the form and nuance.
1. 규정이 하루아침에 바뀌다 → 규정이 하루아침에 ＿＿＿＿, 작은 변화라도 살펴볼 필요가 있습니다.
[gyu-jeo-ngi ha-ru-a-chi-me ba-kwi-da → gyu-jeo-ngi ha-ru-a-chi-me ＿＿＿＿ ja-geun byeon-hwa-ra-do sal-pyeo-bol pi-ryo-ga it-seum-ni-da]
The regulation probably won’t change overnight, but even a small change needs to be examined. 📜
Answer
바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 — attach -기야 하겠느냐마는 to 바뀌다.
2. 예산이 당장 부족하다 → 예산이 당장 ＿＿＿＿, 장기 계획은 다시 검토해야 합니다.
[ye-sa-ni dang-jang bu-jo-ka-da → ye-sa-ni dang-jang ＿＿＿＿ jang-gi gye-hoe-geun da-shi geom-to-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The budget probably won’t be insufficient immediately, but the long-term plan should be reviewed again. 💰
Answer
부족하기야 하겠느냐마는.
3. 신뢰가 한 번에 사라지다 → 신뢰가 한 번에 ＿＿＿＿, 설명은 분명해야 합니다.
[sil-loe-ga han beo-ne sa-ra-ji-da → sil-loe-ga han beo-ne ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeo-ngeun bun-myeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
Trust probably won’t disappear all at once, but the explanation must be clear. 🤝
Answer
사라지기야 하겠느냐마는.
4. 보고서가 크게 늦어지다 → 보고서가 크게 ＿＿＿＿, 일정은 확인해야 합니다.
[bo-go-seo-ga keu-ge neu-jeo-ji-da → bo-go-seo-ga keu-ge ＿＿＿＿ il-jeo-ngeun hwa-gin-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The report probably won’t be delayed greatly, but the schedule should be checked. 🗓️
Answer
늦어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
5. 회의가 길어지다 → 회의가 ＿＿＿＿, 핵심 쟁점은 먼저 정리합시다.
[hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-da → hoe-ui-ga ＿＿＿＿ haek-sim jaeng-jeo-meun meon-jeo jeong-ni-hap-shi-da]
The meeting probably won’t get long, but let’s organize the key issue first. 📝
Answer
길어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
6. 절차가 어렵다 → 절차가 ＿＿＿＿, 안내문은 필요합니다.
[jeol-cha-ga eo-ryeop-da → jeol-cha-ga ＿＿＿＿ an-nae-mu-neun pi-ryo-ham-ni-da]
The procedure probably won’t be difficult, but a guide notice is necessary. 🧾
Answer
어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 — no irregular change before -기.
7. 문제가 크다 → 문제가 ＿＿＿＿, 기록은 남겨야 합니다.
[mun-je-ga keu-da → mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ gi-ro-geun nam-gyeo-ya ham-ni-da]
The problem probably isn’t serious, but a record should be left. 📌
Answer
크기야 하겠느냐마는.
8. 표현이 위험하다 → 표현이 ＿＿＿＿, 문맥은 확인해야 합니다.
[pyo-hyeo-ni wi-heom-ha-da → pyo-hyeo-ni ＿＿＿＿ mun-mae-geun hwa-gin-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The expression probably isn’t dangerous, but the context should be checked. 🧠
Answer
위험하기야 하겠느냐마는.
9. ❌ 어려우기야 하겠느냐마는 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 — -기 attaches to the unchanged stem 어렵-.
10. Choose the sentence with rhetorical doubt:
① 문제가 크기야 하겠느냐마는 확인은 해야 합니다.
② 문제가 커서 확인은 해야 합니다.
Answer
① 문제가 크기야 하겠느냐마는 확인은 해야 합니다. — “It probably isn’t serious, but we should check.”
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 바뀌다 → to change
  • 예산 → budget
  • 부족하다 → to be insufficient
  • 신뢰 → trust
  • 사라지다 → to disappear
  • 보고서 → report
  • 늦어지다 → to be delayed
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 문제 → problem
  • 크다 → to be big/serious
  • 위험하다 → to be dangerous
Tip 💡 The first clause says, “It probably won’t go that far,” while the second clause still stays careful.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below turns this careful, skeptical concession into a full advanced workout. ☂️
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Emphasis through Doubt: -기야 하겠느냐마는
 
Welcome to the polished doubt gym. 🧐 In this Practice Hub, you’ll train the pattern that says, “Would it really go that far? Probably not — but let’s still make a careful point.” It is perfect for advanced writing where you want balance, caution, and a tiny academic eyebrow. 📚
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear the longer sentence rhythm aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct form, read the sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Watch for the unchanged stem before -기, the skeptical force of 야, and the concessive turn created by 마는.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder: Attach -기야 하겠느냐마는 🔧

A. 바뀌다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ba-kwi-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really change? 🔄
Answer
바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는.
B. 부족하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[bu-jo-ka-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be insufficient? 💰
Answer
부족하기야 하겠느냐마는.
C. 사라지다 → ＿＿＿＿
[sa-ra-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really disappear? 🌫️
Answer
사라지기야 하겠느냐마는.
D. 늦어지다 → ＿＿＿＿
[neu-jeo-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be delayed? ⏰
Answer
늦어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
E. 길어지다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gi-reo-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really get long? 🧵
Answer
길어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
F. 어렵다 → ＿＿＿＿
[eo-ryeop-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be difficult? 🧩
Answer
어렵기야 하겠느냐마는.
G. 크다 → ＿＿＿＿
[keu-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be serious? 📌
Answer
크기야 하겠느냐마는.
H. 위험하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[wi-heom-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be dangerous? ⚠️
Answer
위험하기야 하겠느냐마는.
I. 멀다 → ＿＿＿＿
[meol-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be far? 🛣️
Answer
멀기야 하겠느냐마는 — no ㄹ drop before -기.
J. 낫다 → ＿＿＿＿
[nat-da → ＿＿＿＿]
would it really be better? 🩹
Answer
낫기야 하겠느냐마는 — no ㅅ-irregular change before -기.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 바뀌다 → to change
  • 부족하다 → to be insufficient
  • 사라지다 → to disappear
  • 늦어지다 → to be delayed
  • 길어지다 → to get long
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 크다 → to be big/serious
  • 위험하다 → to be dangerous
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 낫다 → to be better
Tip 💡 No stem makeover here: dictionary stem + 기야 하겠느냐마는.
 

Exercise 2 — Cautious Analysis Sentences 🧾

A. 자료가 바로 사라지다 → 자료가 바로 ＿＿＿＿, 백업은 필요합니다.
[ja-ryo-ga ba-ro sa-ra-ji-da → ja-ryo-ga ba-ro ＿＿＿＿ bae-geo-beun pi-ryo-ham-ni-da]
The data probably won’t disappear immediately, but a backup is necessary. 💾
Answer
사라지기야 하겠느냐마는.
B. 일정이 크게 늦어지다 → 일정이 크게 ＿＿＿＿, 날짜는 다시 확인합시다.
[il-jeo-ngi keu-ge neu-jeo-ji-da → il-jeo-ngi keu-ge ＿＿＿＿ nal-jja-neun da-shi hwa-gin-hap-shi-da]
The schedule probably won’t be greatly delayed, but let’s check the date again. 🗓️
Answer
늦어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
C. 문제가 금방 커지다 → 문제가 금방 ＿＿＿＿, 초기 대응은 중요합니다.
[mun-je-ga geum-bang keo-ji-da → mun-je-ga geum-bang ＿＿＿＿ cho-gi dae-eu-ngeun jung-yo-ham-ni-da]
The problem probably won’t grow quickly, but early response is important. 🌱
Answer
커지기야 하겠느냐마는.
D. 표현이 큰 오해를 만들다 → 표현이 큰 오해를 ＿＿＿＿, 문맥은 분명해야 합니다.
[pyo-hyeo-ni keun o-hae-reul man-deul-da → pyo-hyeo-ni keun o-hae-reul ＿＿＿＿ mun-mae-geun bun-myeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The expression probably won’t create a big misunderstanding, but the context must be clear. 🧠
Answer
만들기야 하겠느냐마는.
E. 검토가 오래 걸리다 → 검토가 오래 ＿＿＿＿, 기준은 먼저 정해야 합니다.
[geom-to-ga o-rae geol-li-da → geom-to-ga o-rae ＿＿＿＿ gi-ju-neun meon-jeo jeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The review probably won’t take long, but the standard should be set first. 📏
Answer
걸리기야 하겠느냐마는.
F. 결정이 쉽게 바뀌다 → 결정이 쉽게 ＿＿＿＿, 근거는 남겨야 합니다.
[gyeol-jeo-ngi swip-ge ba-kwi-da → gyeol-jeo-ngi swip-ge ＿＿＿＿ geun-geo-neun nam-gyeo-ya ham-ni-da]
The decision probably won’t change easily, but the grounds should be recorded. 📝
Answer
바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는.
G. 책임이 바로 무거워지다 → 책임이 바로 ＿＿＿＿, 역할은 정리해야 합니다.
[chae-gi-mi ba-ro mu-geo-wo-ji-da → chae-gi-mi ba-ro ＿＿＿＿ yeo-ra-reun jeong-ni-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
Responsibility probably won’t immediately become heavier, but the role should be organized. 🧾
Answer
무거워지기야 하겠느냐마는.
H. 논의가 곧 끝나다 → 논의가 곧 ＿＿＿＿, 핵심 쟁점은 확인합시다.
[no-nui-ga got kkeut-na-da → no-nui-ga got ＿＿＿＿ haek-sim jaeng-jeo-meun hwa-gin-hap-shi-da]
The discussion probably won’t end soon, but let’s check the key issue. 💬
Answer
끝나기야 하겠느냐마는.
I. 기준이 아주 어렵다 → 기준이 아주 ＿＿＿＿, 안내는 필요합니다.
[gi-ju-ni a-ju eo-ryeop-da → gi-ju-ni a-ju ＿＿＿＿ an-nae-neun pi-ryo-ham-ni-da]
The standard probably won’t be very difficult, but guidance is necessary. 🧭
Answer
어렵기야 하겠느냐마는.
J. 위험이 당장 커지다 → 위험이 당장 ＿＿＿＿, 대비는 해야 합니다.
[wi-heo-mi dang-jang keo-ji-da → wi-heo-mi dang-jang ＿＿＿＿ dae-bi-neun hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The risk probably won’t grow immediately, but preparation is needed. 🛡️
Answer
커지기야 하겠느냐마는.
🧾
Vocabulary Box
  • 자료 → data/materials
  • 백업 → backup
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 날짜 → date
  • 초기 대응 → early response
  • 오해 → misunderstanding
  • 문맥 → context
  • 검토 → review
  • 기준 → standard
  • 근거 → grounds/evidence
  • 논의 → discussion
  • 대비 → preparation
Tip 💡 This pattern is excellent for careful analysis: “probably not, but still…”
 

Exercise 3 — Pick the Natural Advanced Nuance 🧐

A. Formal skeptical concession: “The regulation probably won’t change overnight, but…”
① 규정이 하루아침에 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는
② 규정이 하루아침에 바뀌어서
Answer
① 규정이 하루아침에 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 — rhetorical doubt plus concession.
B. Plain cause: “Because the budget is insufficient…”
① 예산이 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는
② 예산이 부족해서
Answer
② 예산이 부족해서 — this states a cause, not doubt.
C. Casual daily tone: “It probably won’t be cold, but…”
① 춥기야 하겠느냐마는
② 춥지는 않겠지만
Answer
② 춥지는 않겠지만 — better for casual daily speech.
D. Advanced writing: “Trust probably won’t disappear at once, but…”
① 신뢰가 한 번에 사라지기야 하겠느냐마는
② 신뢰가 한 번에 사라져서
Answer
① 신뢰가 한 번에 사라지기야 하겠느냐마는.
E. Direct concession without rhetorical doubt: “Even if it is difficult…”
① 어렵더라도
② 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는
Answer
① 어렵더라도 — direct “even if”; ② means “would it really be difficult? probably not, but…”
F. Spelling check:
① 하겠느냐마는
② 하겠느냐만은
Answer
① 하겠느냐마는 — use 마는 here.
G. Shorter version:
① 하겠냐마는
② 하겠냐만은
Answer
① 하겠냐마는 — shorter, common-looking version; still use 마는.
H. Best English for 크기야 하겠느냐마는:
Answer
“Would it really be serious? Probably not, but…” / “It probably isn’t serious, but…”
I. Best English for 위험하기야 하겠느냐마는:
Answer
“It probably isn’t dangerous, but…” / “Would it really be dangerous? Probably not, but…”
J. Tone check: This pattern sounds most natural in:
Answer
Formal writing, commentary, essays, analysis, speeches, and careful argumentation — not casual tiny talk.
🧐
Vocabulary Box
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 하루아침에 → overnight
  • 예산 → budget
  • 춥다 → to be cold
  • 신뢰 → trust
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 하겠느냐마는 → would it really do/be so, but
  • 하겠냐마는 → shorter version of the same shape
  • 크다 → to be big/serious
  • 위험하다 → to be dangerous
Tip 💡 If the sentence does not feel like “Would it really…?”, this may not be the best pattern.
 

Exercise 4 — Sentence Completion with Careful Contrast ☂️

A. 규정이 쉽게 바뀌다 → ＿＿＿＿, 해석은 신중해야 합니다.
[gyu-jeo-ngi swip-ge ba-kwi-da → ＿＿＿＿ hae-seo-geun shin-jung-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The regulation probably won’t change easily, but interpretation should be cautious. 📜
Answer
규정이 쉽게 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는.
B. 예산이 곧 부족하다 → ＿＿＿＿, 지출은 줄여야 합니다.
[ye-sa-ni got bu-jo-ka-da → ＿＿＿＿ ji-chu-reun ju-ryeo-ya ham-ni-da]
The budget probably won’t be insufficient soon, but spending should be reduced. 💸
Answer
예산이 곧 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는.
C. 회의가 밤까지 길어지다 → ＿＿＿＿, 안건은 줄입시다.
[hoe-ui-ga bam-kka-ji gi-reo-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿ an-geo-neun ju-rip-shi-da]
The meeting probably won’t last until night, but let’s reduce the agenda items. 🌙
Answer
회의가 밤까지 길어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
D. 보고서가 완전히 늦어지다 → ＿＿＿＿, 중간 공유는 합시다.
[bo-go-seo-ga wan-jeon-hi neu-jeo-ji-da → ＿＿＿＿ jung-gan gong-yu-neun hap-shi-da]
The report probably won’t be completely delayed, but let’s share an interim update. 📄
Answer
보고서가 완전히 늦어지기야 하겠느냐마는.
E. 작은 실수가 신뢰를 무너뜨리다 → ＿＿＿＿, 설명은 빠를수록 좋습니다.
[ja-geun sil-su-ga sil-loe-reul mu-neo-tteu-ri-da → ＿＿＿＿ seol-myeo-ngeun ppa-reul-su-rok jo-seum-ni-da]
A small mistake probably won’t destroy trust, but the sooner the explanation comes, the better. 🤝
Answer
작은 실수가 신뢰를 무너뜨리기야 하겠느냐마는.
F. 절차가 아주 어렵다 → ＿＿＿＿, 예시는 있어야 합니다.
[jeol-cha-ga a-ju eo-ryeop-da → ＿＿＿＿ ye-shi-neun i-sseo-ya ham-ni-da]
The procedure probably won’t be very difficult, but examples should be included. 🧾
Answer
절차가 아주 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는.
G. 문맥이 크게 위험하다 → ＿＿＿＿, 표현은 다듬어야 합니다.
[mun-mae-gi keu-ge wi-heom-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ pyo-hyeo-neun da-deu-meo-ya ham-ni-da]
The context probably isn’t very risky, but the wording should be refined. ✍️
Answer
문맥이 크게 위험하기야 하겠느냐마는.
H. 거리야 멀다 → ＿＿＿＿, 이동 시간은 계산해야 합니다.
[geo-ri-ya meol-da → ＿＿＿＿ i-dong shi-ga-neun gye-san-hae-ya ham-ni-da]
The distance probably isn’t far, but travel time should be calculated. 🛣️
Answer
거리야 멀기야 하겠느냐마는 — emphatic 거리야 = as for the distance.
I. 대안이 금방 나오다 → ＿＿＿＿, 논의는 열어 둡시다.
[dae-a-ni geum-bang na-o-da → ＿＿＿＿ no-nui-neun yeo-reo dup-shi-da]
An alternative probably won’t come out quickly, but let’s keep the discussion open. 🚪
Answer
대안이 금방 나오기야 하겠느냐마는.
J. 효과가 바로 나타나다 → ＿＿＿＿, 변화를 지켜봅시다.
[hyo-gwa-ga ba-ro na-ta-na-da → ＿＿＿＿ byeon-hwa-reul ji-kyeo-bop-shi-da]
The effect probably won’t appear immediately, but let’s watch the change. 🌱
Answer
효과가 바로 나타나기야 하겠느냐마는.
☂️
Vocabulary Box
  • 해석 → interpretation
  • 신중하다 → to be cautious
  • 지출 → spending
  • 줄이다 → to reduce
  • 안건 → agenda item
  • 중간 공유 → interim update/sharing
  • 무너뜨리다 → to collapse/destroy
  • 예시 → example
  • 다듬다 → to refine
  • 대안 → alternative
  • 효과 → effect
  • 나타나다 → to appear
Tip 💡 After the comma, give the careful action: check, review, reduce, refine, prepare.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 바뀌야 하겠느냐마는 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는 — do not drop 기.
B. ❌ 어려우기야 하겠느냐마는 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
어렵기야 하겠느냐마는 — no ㅂ-irregular change before -기.
C. ❌ 멀어지기야 하겠느냐마는 for “would it really be far?” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
멀기야 하겠느냐마는 — 멀어지다 means “to become farther,” not simply “to be far.”
D. ❌ 하겠느냐만은 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
하겠느냐마는 — use 마는 in this pattern.
E. ❌ Casual over-drama: 커피가 차갑기야 하겠느냐마는 마실게요. → ✅ everyday choice?
Answer
커피가 차갑지는 않겠지만 마실게요. — for a tiny daily situation, use a simpler pattern.
F. Choose the sentence with rhetorical doubt:
① 자료가 부족해서 검토합니다.
② 자료가 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는 검토합니다.
Answer
② 자료가 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는 검토합니다. — “It probably isn’t insufficient, but we’ll review it.”
G. Translate: “The decision probably won’t change easily, but the grounds should be recorded.”
Answer
결정이 쉽게 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는, 근거는 남겨야 합니다.
H. Translate: “The procedure probably won’t be difficult, but a guide notice is necessary.”
Answer
절차가 어렵기야 하겠느냐마는, 안내문은 필요합니다.
I. Translate: “The risk probably won’t grow immediately, but preparation is needed.”
Answer
위험이 당장 커지기야 하겠느냐마는, 대비는 해야 합니다.
J. Final tone check: -기야 하겠느냐마는 is best when:
Answer
The speaker doubts the first idea would really happen or be true, but still adds a careful contrast, warning, or recommendation. 🛡️
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 차갑다 → to be cold
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 자료 → data/materials
  • 검토하다 → to review
  • 결정 → decision
  • 근거 → grounds/evidence
  • 남기다 → to leave/record
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 안내문 → guide notice
  • 위험 → risk/danger
  • 대비 → preparation
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol mantra: keep the stem, keep 기, use 마는, and save this pattern for formal skeptical concession.
 
🎉 You finished the -기야 하겠느냐마는 workout. Now you can write careful sentences like 규정이 쉽게 바뀌기야 하겠느냐마는, 예산이 부족하기야 하겠느냐마는, and 위험이 당장 커지기야 하겠느냐마는 without sounding panicked. Elegant doubt, responsible caution. 🧐☂️✨