-건만

Despite, Even though

Explanation

This expression is used when indicating that the content in the following clause is the opposite of the situation or result expected based on the content in the preceding clause.

Details
Examples
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 그 집 아들이 올해 몇 살이더라? 결혼할 때가 됐죠?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 아이고, 넘었죠. 내가 그렇게 눈을 낮추라고 얘기<span class='focus'>했건만</span> 아직도 이상형이 어쩌고저쩌고하고 있어요.<br><br><span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 우리 딸도 마찬가지예요. 빨리 결혼 좀 하면 좋<span class='focus'>겠건만</span> 줄곧 멋있는 남자 타령만 하고 있다니까요.<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 그래요? 그럼 그 집 딸하고 우리 아들을 한번 만나 보게 하는 게 어때요?
A: How old is your son this year? Isn’t he old enough to get married? B: Oh, he's beyond that age. Despite my telling him to lower his standard, he's still talking about how his ideal type is this and that. A: My daughter is the same. Even though it'd be better if she got married sooner, she keeps talking about how she needs an attractive guy. B: Really? Then how about having my son and your daughter meet?
햇살은 따뜻하<span class='focus'>건만</span> 밖은 여전히 춥다.
Despite the warm sunlight, it’s still cold outside.
날마다 도서관에서 열심히 공부하<span class='focus'>건만</span> 성적은 도무지 오르지 않는다.
Despite studying hard in the library every day, my grades just never get better.

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