Korean Grammar: Understanding 고 말다 For Unintended Outcomes
In Korean, the structure V + 고 말다 is used to express unintended and contrasting negative outcomes that result from a previous action.
This construction can be translated as ‘I ended up Ving’, ‘in the end I V-ed’, or ‘finally I V-ed’.
Some examples in English to illustrate what this looks like:
- I fell asleep on the bus and ended up passing the train station.
- I was so busy that I ended up forgetting my friend’s birthday.
- I overslept this morning and ended up missing the bus because I stayed up all night.
To add emphasis, you can include 결국 (also ‘in the end’) before 고 말다.
Grammar Rule: Verb + 고 말다
고 말다 examples
Let’s explore this grammar pattern through practical examples:
I tried to stay up all night but eventually I fell asleep.
I tried to finish my homework but I eventually gave up.
The car was expensive but in the end I bought it.
The bus was so hot and crowded so I ended up walking home.
Emphasizing with 결국
By adding 결국 before 고 말다, you can emphasize the final unintended outcome:
I did the test but I didn't prepare so I ended up failing.
I pressed the wrong button and ended up erasing the file.
I had an argument with my boyfriend and ended up breaking up with him.
Conclusion
Understanding the Korean grammar structure 고 말다 is essential for expressing unintended and negative outcomes that result from previous actions.
This construction adds depth to your Korean language skills and allows you to communicate nuanced situations effectively.