🚫

Excluding...: -은/는 고사하고

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🚫
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🚫 -은/는 고사하고 means let alone / never mind / not even A, much less B.
  • 🪜 It usually appears in negative, disappointing, or “even the basic thing failed” sentences.
  • 🧭 It is more formal and sharper than -은/는 말할 것도 없고 (not to mention), so use it when the second clause shows a worse or lower reality.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson and hear it read aloud. Try chunks like 밥은 고사하고 (let alone a meal), 휴가는 고사하고 (let alone a vacation), and 쉬기는 고사하고 (far from resting).
 

🌈 The Big Picture

고사하고 has the feeling of “set A aside — even B did not happen.” It is great for emphasizing that reality fell below the expected level. Dramatic? Yes. Useful? Also yes. Tiny grammar, big eyebrow energy. 🧐
 
The pattern often pairs a bigger expectation with a smaller or more basic failure:
  • 밥은 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요.
      • [ba-beun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
      I couldn’t even drink water, let alone eat a meal. 💧
  • 휴가는 고사하고 주말도 없었어요.
      • [hyu-ga-neun go-sa-ha-go ju-mal-do eop-sseo-sseo-yo]
      I didn’t even have a weekend, let alone a vacation. 🗓️
 
Compared with -기는커녕 (far from / let alone), 고사하고 sounds a little more formal or written. Compared with 말할 것도 없고 (not to mention), it is usually more negative and less “additive praise.”
 

🎨 The Core 고사하고 Family

1. Noun + 은/는 고사하고

Use this when the first rejected expectation is a noun.
  • 밥 (meal/rice) → 밥은 고사하고 (let alone a meal) 🍚
  • 휴가 (vacation) → 휴가는 고사하고 (let alone a vacation) 🏖️
  • 답장 (reply) → 답장은 고사하고 (let alone a reply) 📩
  • 예약 (reservation) → 예약은 고사하고 (let alone a reservation) 📅
 
Choose 은 after a consonant-ending noun and 는 after a vowel-ending noun.
 

2. Verb/adjective stem + -기는 고사하고

Use this when the first rejected expectation is an action or state idea.
  • 쉬다 (to rest) → 쉬기는 고사하고 (far from resting / let alone resting) 🛋️
  • 끝내다 (to finish) → 끝내기는 고사하고 (far from finishing) 📝
  • 낫다 (to get better) → 낫기는 고사하고 (far from getting better) 🩹
  • 조용하다 (to be quiet) → 조용하기는 고사하고 (far from being quiet) 🤫
 

3. Natural partners in the second clause

The second clause often contains words that show a lower bar or worse result:
  • 도 (even/also): 물도 (even water)
  • 조차 (even, stronger): 기본 설명조차 (even a basic explanation)
  • 못 (cannot): 못 했어요 (could not do)
  • 안 (do not / did not): 안 왔어요 (did not come)
  • 없다 (to not exist / not have): 시간도 없어요 (there is not even time)
  • 오히려 (rather / if anything): 오히려 늘었어요 (if anything, it increased)
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Basic failure
  • 아침은 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요.
      • [a-chi-meun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
      I couldn’t even drink water, let alone breakfast. 💧
      아침 = breakfast/morning; 물 = water; 마시다 = to drink.
 
2. Time or workload complaint
  • 휴가는 고사하고 하루도 못 쉬었어요.
      • [hyu-ga-neun go-sa-ha-go ha-ru-do mot swi-eo-sseo-yo]
      I couldn’t rest for even one day, let alone take a vacation. 🏖️
      휴가 = vacation; 하루 = one day; 쉬다 = to rest.
 
3. Opposite result
  • 문제가 해결되기는 고사하고 오히려 더 복잡해졌어요.
      • [mun-je-ga hae-gyeol-doe-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go o-hi-ryeo deo bok-ja-pae-jyeo-sseo-yo]
      Far from being solved, the problem actually became more complicated. 🧩
      문제 = problem; 해결되다 = to be solved; 복잡해지다 = to become complicated.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Nouns

  • Consonant-ending noun + 은 고사하고
    • 밥 + 은 고사하고 → 밥은 고사하고 (let alone a meal)
    • 답장 + 은 고사하고 → 답장은 고사하고 (let alone a reply)
  • Vowel-ending noun + 는 고사하고
    • 휴가 + 는 고사하고 → 휴가는 고사하고 (let alone a vacation)
    • 회의 + 는 고사하고 → 회의는 고사하고 (let alone a meeting)
 

Verbs and adjectives

Use the stem + 기는 고사하고. Keep tense in the second clause or the wider sentence.
  • 읽다 → 읽기는 고사하고 (far from reading) 📖
  • 고치다 → 고치기는 고사하고 (far from fixing) 🔧
  • 편하다 → 편하기는 고사하고 (far from being comfortable) 🛋️
  • 줄다 → 줄기는 고사하고 (far from decreasing) 📉
 
✅ 읽기는 고사하고 책도 안 샀어요. (Far from reading, I did not even buy the book.)
❌ 읽었기는 고사하고 → ✅ 읽기는 고사하고 (Use the stem before 기는 고사하고.)
 

📚 Cross-check note

The usage of 고사하고, its overlap with 은/는커녕, and the sample dictionary forms were cross-checked against Korean language resources from korean.go.kr and standard learner-dictionary guidance. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -은/는 고사하고 — “let alone / never mind”; formal, often negative, and good for written or polished complaints.
  • -은/는커녕 / -기는커녕 — “far from / let alone”; very common, sharp, and strongly contrastive.
  • -은/는 말할 것도 없고 — “not to mention”; often additive and can be positive.
  • 대신에 — “instead of”; neutral replacement, not a “not even” contrast.
 
Quick contrast:
  • 커피는 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요.
      • [keo-pi-neun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
      I couldn’t even drink water, let alone coffee. ☕
  • 커피 대신에 차를 마셨어요.
      • [keo-pi dae-si-ne cha-reul ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
      I drank tea instead of coffee. 🍵
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 밥 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요. → ✅ 밥은 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요. (Nouns normally need 은/는.)
  • ❌ 휴가은 고사하고 → ✅ 휴가는 고사하고 (휴가 ends in a vowel.)
  • ❌ 읽었기는 고사하고 → ✅ 읽기는 고사하고 (Use the stem before 기는 고사하고.)
  • ❌ 커피는 고사하고 차를 마셨어요. → ✅ 커피 대신에 차를 마셨어요. (Neutral “instead” needs 대신에.)
  • ❌ 디자인은 고사하고 품질도 좋아요. → ✅ 디자인은 말할 것도 없고 품질도 좋아요. (Positive additive praise usually needs 말할 것도 없고.)
 
🚫 Bottom line: 고사하고 is your formal “let alone” lever. Use it when the expected thing is off the table and even the basic backup plan tripped over its shoelaces. 👟
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the most natural 고사하고 form. First decide whether the word is a noun or a verb/adjective stem, then check whether the second half shows a lower or worse reality.
1. 밥 → ＿＿＿＿ 물도 못 마셨어요.
[ba-beun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even drink water, let alone a meal. 💧
Answer
밥은 고사하고 — 밥 ends in a consonant, so use 은 고사하고.
2. 휴가 → ＿＿＿＿ 하루도 못 쉬었어요.
[hyu-ga-neun go-sa-ha-go ha-ru-do mot swi-eo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t rest even one day, let alone take a vacation. 🏖️
Answer
휴가는 고사하고 — 휴가 ends in a vowel.
3. 답장 → ＿＿＿＿ 메시지도 못 읽었어요.
[dap-jang-eun go-sa-ha-go me-si-ji-do mot il-geo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even read the message, let alone reply. 📱
Answer
답장은 고사하고 — 답장 ends in a consonant.
4. 회의 → ＿＿＿＿ 초대장도 못 받았어요.
[hoe-ui-neun go-sa-ha-go cho-dae-jang-do mot ba-da-sseo-yo]
I did not even receive the invitation, let alone attend the meeting. 📩
Answer
회의는 고사하고 — 회의 ends in a vowel.
5. 쉬다 → ＿＿＿＿ 새벽까지 보고서를 썼어요.
[swi-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go sae-byeok-kka-ji bo-go-seo-reul sseo-sseo-yo]
Far from resting, I wrote the report until dawn. 🌙
Answer
쉬기는 고사하고 — use the verb stem 쉬- + 기는 고사하고.
6. 고치다 → ＿＿＿＿ 더 망쳐 놓았어요.
[go-chi-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go deo mang-cheo no-a-sseo-yo]
Far from fixing it, someone made it worse. 🔧
Answer
고치기는 고사하고 — action ideas use stem + 기는 고사하고.
7. 조용하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 복도까지 소리가 들렸어요.
[jo-yong-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go bok-do-kka-ji so-ri-ga deul-lyeo-sseo-yo]
Far from being quiet, the sound reached the hallway. 🔊
Answer
조용하기는 고사하고 — adjectives/descriptive verbs also use 기는 고사하고.
8. 예약 → ＿＿＿＿ 날짜도 확인하지 못했어요.
[ye-yak-eun go-sa-ha-go nal-jja-do hwa-gin-ha-ji mot-hae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even check the date, let alone make a reservation. 📅
Answer
예약은 고사하고 — 예약 ends in a consonant.
9. 낫다 → ＿＿＿＿ 증상이 더 심해졌어요.
[nat-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go jeung-sang-i deo sim-hae-jyeo-sseo-yo]
Far from getting better, the symptoms got worse. 🩹
Answer
낫기는 고사하고 — use the stem before 기는 고사하고.
10. 설명 → ＿＿＿＿ 질문도 제대로 못 들었어요.
[seol-myeong-eun go-sa-ha-go jil-mun-do je-dae-ro mot deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even hear the question properly, let alone explain. ❓
Answer
설명은 고사하고 — 설명 ends in a consonant.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 밥 → meal/rice
  • 물 → water
  • 휴가 → vacation
  • 하루 → one day
  • 답장 → reply
  • 메시지 → message
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 초대장 → invitation
  • 쉬다 → to rest
  • 보고서 → report
  • 고치다 → to fix
  • 망치다 → to ruin
  • 조용하다 → to be quiet
  • 복도 → hallway
  • 예약 → reservation
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 낫다 → to get better
  • 증상 → symptom
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 질문 → question
Tip 💡 Noun? Use 은/는 고사하고. Verb or adjective? Use stem + 기는 고사하고.
🚀
Want more reps? Keep going into the Practice Hub below for noun forms, verb/adjective forms, negative results, and pitfall fixes. 🧭
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Excluding / Let Alone: -은/는 고사하고
 
Welcome to the formal “let alone” gym. 🏋️ This Practice Hub trains you to spot the bigger expectation, choose the right 고사하고 form, and build a second clause that really shows the fall from expectation. Think of it as Korean disappointment choreography: precise, dramatic, and weirdly useful. 🎭
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a completed sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each blank, say the finished sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Focus on whether the first item is a noun, an action/state idea, or a connector-choice clue.
 

Exercise 1 — Noun Connector Control 🧲

A. 잠＿＿＿＿ 눈도 제대로 못 감았어요.
[jam-eun go-sa-ha-go nun-do je-dae-ro mot ga-ma-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even close my eyes properly, let alone sleep. 😵
Answer
은 고사하고 — 잠 ends in a consonant.
B. 사과＿＿＿＿ 변명만 했어요.
[sa-gwa-neun go-sa-ha-go byeon-myeong-man hae-sseo-yo]
Far from apologizing, that person only made excuses. 🍎
Answer
는 고사하고 — 사과 ends in a vowel.
C. 선물＿＿＿＿ 축하 문자도 못 보냈어요.
[seon-mu-reun go-sa-ha-go chuk-ha mun-ja-do mot bo-nae-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even send a congratulatory text, let alone a gift. 🎁
Answer
은 고사하고 — 선물 takes 은 고사하고.
D. 발표＿＿＿＿ 자료도 아직 못 만들었어요.
[bal-pyo-neun go-sa-ha-go ja-ryo-do a-jik mot man-deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I haven’t even made the materials yet, let alone done the presentation. 📊
Answer
는 고사하고 — 발표 ends in a vowel.
E. 운동＿＿＿＿ 계단도 힘들게 올라갔어요.
[un-dong-eun go-sa-ha-go gye-dan-do him-deul-ge ol-la-ga-sseo-yo]
Even climbing stairs was hard, let alone exercising. 🏃
Answer
은 고사하고 — 운동 ends in a consonant.
F. 약속＿＿＿＿ 시간도 못 정했어요.
[yak-sok-eun go-sa-ha-go si-gan-do mot jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
We couldn’t even set a time, let alone make an appointment. ⏰
Answer
은 고사하고 — 약속 takes 은 고사하고.
G. 청소＿＿＿＿ 쓰레기도 못 버렸어요.
[cheong-so-neun go-sa-ha-go sseu-re-gi-do mot beo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even throw away the trash, let alone clean. 🧹
Answer
는 고사하고 — 청소 ends in a vowel.
H. 설명＿＿＿＿ 기본 자료도 없었어요.
[seol-myeong-eun go-sa-ha-go gi-bon ja-ryo-do eop-sseo-sseo-yo]
There were not even basic materials, let alone an explanation. 🧾
Answer
은 고사하고 — 설명 ends in a consonant.
I. 저축＿＿＿＿ 이번 달 생활비도 부족했어요.
[jeo-chug-eun go-sa-ha-go i-beon dal saeng-hwal-bi-do bu-jok-hae-sseo-yo]
This month’s living expenses were short, let alone savings. 💸
Answer
은 고사하고 — 저축 ends in a consonant.
J. 전화＿＿＿＿ 문자도 안 왔어요.
[jeon-hwa-neun go-sa-ha-go mun-ja-do an wa-sseo-yo]
Not even a text came, let alone a call. 📵
Answer
는 고사하고 — 전화 ends in a vowel.
🧲
Vocabulary Box
  • 잠 → sleep
  • 눈을 감다 → to close one’s eyes
  • 사과 → apology
  • 변명 → excuse
  • 선물 → gift
  • 축하 문자 → congratulatory text
  • 발표 → presentation
  • 자료 → materials/data
  • 운동 → exercise
  • 계단 → stairs
  • 약속 → appointment/promise
  • 시간을 정하다 → to set a time
  • 청소 → cleaning
  • 쓰레기를 버리다 → to throw away trash
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 기본 자료 → basic materials
  • 저축 → savings
  • 생활비 → living expenses
  • 전화 → phone call
  • 문자 → text message
Tip 💡 Nouns choose 은 after consonants and 는 after vowels.
 

Exercise 2 — Verb and Adjective Stems 🔧

A. 돕＿＿＿＿ 더 헷갈리게 만들었어요.
[dop-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go deo het-gal-li-ge man-deu-reo-sseo-yo]
Far from helping, it made things more confusing. 🌀
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 돕다 uses the stem + 기는 고사하고.
B. 끝내＿＿＿＿ 첫 문장도 못 썼어요.
[kkeut-nae-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go cheot mun-jang-do mot sseo-sseo-yo]
Far from finishing, I couldn’t even write the first sentence. ✍️
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 끝내다 becomes 끝내기는 고사하고.
C. 줄＿＿＿＿ 지출이 오히려 늘었어요.
[jul-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go ji-chu-ri o-hi-ryeo neu-reo-sseo-yo]
Far from decreasing, expenses actually increased. 📈
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 줄다 becomes 줄기는 고사하고.
D. 편하＿＿＿＿ 분위기가 더 어색해졌어요.
[pyeon-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go bun-wi-gi-ga deo eo-sae-kae-jyeo-sseo-yo]
Far from being comfortable, the mood became more awkward. 😬
Answer
기는 고사하고 — adjective stems also use 기는 고사하고.
E. 찾＿＿＿＿ 어디서 잃어버렸는지도 몰라요.
[chat-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go eo-di-seo i-reo-beo-ryeot-neun-ji-do mol-la-yo]
Far from finding it, I don’t even know where I lost it. 🔍
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 찾다 becomes 찾기는 고사하고.
F. 웃＿＿＿＿ 결국 눈물이 났어요.
[ut-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go gyeol-guk nun-mu-ri na-sseo-yo]
Far from laughing, tears came out in the end. 😢
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 웃다 becomes 웃기는 고사하고.
G. 확인하＿＿＿＿ 파일을 열어 보지도 않았어요.
[hwa-gin-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go pa-i-reul yeo-reo bo-ji-do a-na-sseo-yo]
Far from checking, I did not even open the file. 📂
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 확인하다 becomes 확인하기는 고사하고.
H. 기다리＿＿＿＿ 먼저 떠나 버렸어요.
[gi-da-ri-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go meon-jeo tteo-na beo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
Far from waiting, that person left first. 🚶
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 기다리다 becomes 기다리기는 고사하고.
I. 인정하＿＿＿＿ 계속 남 탓만 했어요.
[in-jeong-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go gye-sok nam ta-man hae-sseo-yo]
Far from admitting it, that person kept blaming others. 🪞
Answer
기는 고사하고 — 인정하다 becomes 인정하기는 고사하고.
J. 좋＿＿＿＿ 실망스러웠어요.
[jot-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go sil-mang-seu-reo-wo-sseo-yo]
Far from being good, it was disappointing. 😞
Answer
기는 고사하고 — descriptive verbs use stem + 기는 고사하고.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 돕다 → to help
  • 헷갈리다 → to be confusing
  • 끝내다 → to finish
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 줄다 → to decrease
  • 지출 → expenses
  • 늘다 → to increase
  • 편하다 → to be comfortable
  • 어색하다 → to be awkward
  • 찾다 → to find
  • 잃어버리다 → to lose
  • 웃다 → to laugh
  • 눈물이 나다 → tears come out
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 파일을 열다 → to open a file
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 인정하다 → to admit
  • 남 탓을 하다 → to blame others
  • 좋다 → to be good
  • 실망스럽다 → to be disappointing
Tip 💡 Do not add tense before 기는 고사하고; put time in the second clause instead.
 

Exercise 3 — Build the “Not Even” Result 🪜

A. 아침은 고사하고 물도 ＿＿＿＿.
[a-chi-meun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even drink water, let alone breakfast. 💧
Answer
못 마셨어요 — 물도 못 마셨어요 gives the lower-bar negative result.
B. 보고서를 끝내기는 고사하고 제목도 ＿＿＿＿.
[bo-go-seo-reul kkeut-nae-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go je-mok-do mot jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
Far from finishing the report, I couldn’t even decide on the title. 📝
Answer
못 정했어요 — 제목도 못 정했어요 naturally shows “not even the title.”
C. 예약은 고사하고 가게 이름도 ＿＿＿＿.
[ye-yak-eun go-sa-ha-go ga-ge i-reum-do mol-la-yo]
I don’t even know the restaurant name, let alone have a reservation. 🍽️
Answer
몰라요 — 이름도 몰라요 is a natural lower-bar reality.
D. 회의에 참석하기는 고사하고 초대장도 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-e cham-seo-ka-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go cho-dae-jang-do mot ba-da-sseo-yo]
Far from attending the meeting, I did not even receive the invitation. 📩
Answer
못 받았어요 — the invitation is the smaller prerequisite.
E. 청소는 고사하고 세탁기도 ＿＿＿＿.
[cheong-so-neun go-sa-ha-go se-tak-gi-do mot dol-lyeo-sseo-yo]
I didn’t even run the washing machine, let alone clean. 🧺
Answer
못 돌렸어요 — 세탁기를 돌리다 means “to run the washing machine.”
F. 운동하기는 고사하고 운동화도 ＿＿＿＿.
[un-dong-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go un-dong-hwa-do an chaeng-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Far from exercising, I did not even pack my sneakers. 👟
Answer
안 챙겼어요 — the sneakers are the basic preparation that did not happen.
G. 답장을 쓰기는 고사하고 알림도 ＿＿＿＿.
[dap-jang-eul sseu-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go al-lim-do mot bwa-sseo-yo]
Far from writing a reply, I did not even see the notification. 🔔
Answer
못 봤어요 — 알림도 못 봤어요 is the smaller negative result.
H. 문제를 해결하기는 고사하고 원인도 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go wo-nin-do mot cha-ja-sseo-yo]
Far from solving the problem, we couldn’t even find the cause. 🧩
Answer
못 찾았어요 — finding the cause comes before solving the problem.
I. 발표 연습은 고사하고 자료도 ＿＿＿＿.
[bal-pyo yeon-seu-beun go-sa-ha-go ja-ryo-do mot ppo-ba-sseo-yo]
We could not even print the materials, let alone practice the presentation. 🖨️
Answer
못 뽑았어요 — 자료를 뽑다 can mean “to print materials.”
J. 사과하기는 고사하고 눈도 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-gwa-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go nun-do an ma-ju-chyeo-sseo-yo]
Far from apologizing, that person would not even meet my eyes. 👀
Answer
안 마주쳤어요 — 눈을 마주치다 means “to meet someone’s eyes.”
🪜
Vocabulary Box
  • 아침 → breakfast/morning
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 보고서 → report
  • 제목 → title
  • 정하다 → to decide
  • 예약 → reservation
  • 가게 이름 → store/restaurant name
  • 참석하다 → to attend
  • 초대장 → invitation
  • 세탁기 → washing machine
  • 돌리다 → to run/operate
  • 운동화 → sneakers
  • 챙기다 → to pack/take care of
  • 알림 → notification
  • 원인 → cause
  • 자료를 뽑다 → to print materials
  • 눈을 마주치다 → to meet someone’s eyes
Tip 💡 The second clause often uses 도 못, 도 안, or 도 없다 to show “not even.”
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Best Connector 🧭

A. “I couldn’t even drink water, let alone coffee.”
커피＿＿＿＿ 물도 못 마셨어요.
[keo-pi-neun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo] ☕
Answer
는 고사하고 — vowel-ending noun + formal “let alone.”
B. “I drank tea instead of coffee.”
커피 ＿＿＿＿ 차를 마셨어요.
[keo-pi dae-si-ne cha-reul ma-syeo-sseo-yo] 🍵
Answer
대신에 — this is neutral replacement, not “not even.”
C. “The quality is good too, not to mention the design.”
디자인＿＿＿＿ 품질도 좋아요.
[di-ja-in-eun mal-hal geot-do eop-go pum-jil-do jo-a-yo] 🎨
Answer
은 말할 것도 없고 — positive additive praise fits 말할 것도 없고, not 고사하고.
D. “Far from reading the book, I have not even bought it yet.”
책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 아직 사지도 않았어요.
[chae-geul il-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go a-jik sa-ji-do a-na-sseo-yo] 📚
Answer
기는 고사하고 — action stem + 기는 고사하고.
E. “Not only Korean but also Japanese is useful for the job.”
한국어＿＿＿＿ 일본어도 업무에 유용해요.
[han-gu-geo-ppun-man a-ni-ra il-bo-neo-do eom-mu-e yu-yong-hae-yo] 🌐
Answer
뿐만 아니라 — neutral “not only A but also B.”
F. “Not even a text came, let alone a phone call.”
전화＿＿＿＿ 문자도 안 왔어요.
[jeon-hwa-neun go-sa-ha-go mun-ja-do an wa-sseo-yo] 📵
Answer
는 고사하고 — this is a clear negative “not even B” contrast.
G. “The room is clean. Furthermore, it is quiet.”
방이 깨끗해요. ＿＿＿＿ 조용해요.
[bang-i kkae-kkeu-tae-yo ge-da-ga jo-yong-hae-yo] 🛏️
Answer
게다가 — 게다가 naturally adds a new sentence.
H. “Far from being solved, the problem got bigger.”
문제가 해결되＿＿＿＿ 오히려 더 커졌어요.
[mun-je-ga hae-gyeol-doe-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go o-hi-ryeo deo keo-jyeo-sseo-yo] 🧨
Answer
기는 고사하고 — use stem + 기는 고사하고.
I. “It was expensive, and on top of that, delivery was late.”
비쌌어요. ＿＿＿＿ 배송도 늦었어요.
[bi-ssa-sseo-yo ge-da-ga bae-song-do neu-jeo-sseo-yo] 📦
Answer
게다가 — this stacks two problems without “let alone” structure.
J. “There was not even time, let alone money.”
돈＿＿＿＿ 시간도 없었어요.
[do-neun go-sa-ha-go si-gan-do eop-sseo-sseo-yo] 💸
Answer
은 고사하고 — 돈 ends in a consonant and the second clause is lower-bar negative.
🧭
Vocabulary Box
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 차 → tea
  • 대신에 → instead of
  • 디자인 → design
  • 품질 → quality
  • 책을 읽다 → to read a book
  • 사다 → to buy
  • 한국어 → Korean language
  • 일본어 → Japanese language
  • 업무 → work/task
  • 전화 → phone call
  • 문자 → text message
  • 게다가 → furthermore
  • 해결되다 → to be solved
  • 커지다 → to become bigger
  • 배송 → delivery
  • 돈 → money
  • 시간 → time
Tip 💡 고사하고 needs “A is out of reach, and even B failed.” Positive listing usually wants another connector.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. Fix: ❌ 밥 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요.
[ba-beun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even drink water, let alone a meal. 💧
Answer
✅ 밥은 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요. — nouns normally need 은/는.
B. Fix: ❌ 휴가은 고사하고 주말도 없었어요.
[hyu-ga-neun go-sa-ha-go ju-mal-do eop-sseo-sseo-yo]
I didn’t even have a weekend, let alone a vacation. 🗓️
Answer
✅ 휴가는 고사하고 주말도 없었어요. — 휴가 ends in a vowel, so use 는.
C. Fix: ❌ 읽었기는 고사하고 책도 안 샀어요.
[il-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go chaek-do an sa-sseo-yo]
Far from reading, I did not even buy the book. 📚
Answer
✅ 읽기는 고사하고 책도 안 샀어요. — use the stem before 기는 고사하고.
D. 비용 → ＿＿＿＿ 시간도 부족했어요.
[bi-yong-eun go-sa-ha-go si-gan-do bu-jo-kae-sseo-yo]
Time was lacking too, let alone the cost. 💸
Answer
비용은 고사하고 — 비용 ends in a consonant.
E. 준비하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 계획도 제대로 없었어요.
[jun-bi-ha-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go gye-hoek-do je-dae-ro eop-sseo-sseo-yo]
Far from preparing, there wasn’t even a proper plan. 🗂️
Answer
준비하기는 고사하고 — action stem + 기는 고사하고.
F. Naturalness check: 커피는 고사하고 물도 못 마셨어요.
[keo-pi-neun go-sa-ha-go mul-do mot ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
I couldn’t even drink water, let alone coffee. ☕
Answer
✅ Natural — this has the “not even lower/basic B” structure.
G. Naturalness check: 커피는 고사하고 차를 마셨어요.
[keo-pi dae-si-ne cha-reul ma-syeo-sseo-yo]
I drank tea instead of coffee. 🍵
Answer
❌ Better: 커피 대신에 차를 마셨어요. — this is neutral replacement, not a negative “let alone” contrast.
H. 농담은 고사하고 아무도 ＿＿＿＿.
[nong-da-meun go-sa-ha-go a-mu-do ut-ji a-na-sseo-yo]
No one even smiled, let alone joked. 😐
Answer
웃지 않았어요 — 아무도 웃지 않았어요 naturally completes the lower-bar negative.
I. 비용이 줄기는 고사하고 오히려 두 배로 ＿＿＿＿.
[bi-yong-i jul-gi-neun go-sa-ha-go o-hi-ryeo du bae-ro neu-reo-sseo-yo]
Far from decreasing, the cost actually doubled. 💰
Answer
늘었어요 — 두 배로 늘다 means “to double.”
J. What does 고사하고 mean in this lesson?
[go-sa-ha-go] 🧠
Answer
“Let alone / never mind A; even B did not happen.” It usually sounds formal and negative.
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 밥 → meal/rice
  • 물 → water
  • 휴가 → vacation
  • 주말 → weekend
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 책 → book
  • 비용 → cost
  • 시간 → time
  • 준비하다 → to prepare
  • 계획 → plan
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 차 → tea
  • 대신에 → instead of
  • 농담 → joke
  • 아무도 → no one
  • 웃다 → to laugh/smile
  • 줄다 → to decrease
  • 늘다 → to increase
  • 두 배 → double
Tip 💡 Final check: if the sentence only swaps A for B, use 대신에. If it means “not even B, let alone A,” 고사하고 is ready.
 
🎉 You made it through the formal let-alone maze. Now 밥은 고사하고, 쉬기는 고사하고, and 문제가 해결되기는 고사하고 can all march into your Korean with sharp, polished confidence. 🚫✨