Processing keyword: ~고 말다 [go malda] (Ended up doing)

Korean Grammar Point: ~고 말다 [go malda] (Ended up doing)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Korean grammar pattern ~고 말다. This expression is commonly used to indicate that an action has ended up occurring, often unintentionally or despite efforts to prevent it. By mastering this grammar point, you'll be able to convey nuances of inevitability or unintended results in your Korean conversations.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

Meaning:
The grammar pattern ~고 말다 is used to express that someone ended up doing something, usually implying that the result was inevitable or contrary to the speaker's intention. It can carry feelings of regret, surprise, or inevitability.

Structure

Formation Diagram

[Verb Stem] + 고 말다

• Verb Stem: The base form of the verb without the ending 다.
• 고 말다: Added directly to the verb stem.

Examples:

Verb (Dictionary Form)	Verb Stem	+ 고 말다	Meaning
가다 (to go)	가	가고 말다	Ended up going
먹다 (to eat)	먹	먹고 말다	Ended up eating
울다 (to cry)	울	울고 말다	Ended up crying
포기하다 (to give up)	포기하	포기하고 말다	Ended up giving up

Usage Notes

• Often used in the past tense to indicate that the action has already occurred.
• Can be used with both positive and negative outcomes.
• Conveys a sense of finality or completion of an action.

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

~아/어 버리다

• Similarities: Both express the completion of an action, often with unintended or regrettable results.
• Differences:
  • ~고 말다 emphasizes that the action ended up happening despite attempts to avoid it.
  • ~아/어 버리다 highlights the action being completed thoroughly, sometimes with a sense of relief or regret. Example Comparison:
• 먹고 말았다: Ended up eating (perhaps unintentionally or regretfully).
• 먹어 버렸다: Ate it all up (completely finished eating).

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4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Context

1. 회의에 늦고 말았습니다.
   • I ended up being late for the meeting.
2. 비밀을 말하고 말았어요.
   • I ended up telling the secret.

Informal Context

1. 어제 밤에 영화를 보다가 잠들고 말았어.
   • I was watching a movie last night and ended up falling asleep.
2. 쇼핑하러 갔다가 지갑을 잃어버리고 말았어.
   • I went shopping and ended up losing my wallet.

Written Context

1. 그들은 결국 이혼하고 말았다.
   • They ended up divorcing in the end.
2. 노력했지만 실패하고 말았다.
   • I tried, but ended up failing.

Spoken Context

1. 참으려고 했지만 웃고 말았어.
   • I tried to hold it in but ended up laughing.
2. 다이어트를 하기로 했는데 케이크를 먹고 말았어.
   • I decided to diet, but I ended up eating cake.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean culture, expressing unintended outcomes or situations that occurred despite one's intentions is common in daily conversations. The use of ~고 말다 allows speakers to convey humility, regret, or acknowledgment of circumstances beyond their control.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Formal Polite: ~고 말았습니다
  • Example: 늦고 말았습니다.
• Informal Polite: ~고 말았어요
  • Example: 실수하고 말았어요.
• Casual: ~고 말았어
  • Example: 잊어버리고 말았어.

Idiomatic Expressions

1. 결국 해내고 말았다.
   • I ended up accomplishing it after all. (Positive outcome)
2. 화를 내고 말았어요.
   • I ended up getting angry.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using Present Tense Incorrectly
   • Incorrect: 먹고 말아요.
     • Using present tense diminishes the sense of completion.
   • Correct: 먹고 말았어요.
     • Past tense indicates the action has ended.
2. Forgetting to Conjugate 말다 Correctly
   • Incorrect: 울고 마랐어요.
     • Wrong conjugation of 말다.
   • Correct: 울고 말았어요.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of 말다 as "to stop," but in this case, it's like the action didn't stop from happening.
• Practice by Reflecting: Recall situations where something happened despite your intentions, and try expressing them using ~고 말다.
• Negative Outcomes: Often associated with regret, so practice with verbs that reflect unintended results.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~고 말다 is used to express that an action ended up happening, often unintentionally or despite efforts to prevent it.
• It adds nuances of inevitability, completion, and sometimes regret.
• Proper tense and conjugation are essential for accurate expression.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blank: 일을 미루다가 마감일을 놓치___ _____.
   Answer: 놓치고 말았다.
2. True or False: ~고 말다 can be used to express both positive and negative outcomes.
   Answer: True.
3. Translate to Korean using ~고 말다: He tried not to smile but ended up smiling.
   Answer: 그는 웃지 않으려고 했지만 웃고 말았어요.

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By incorporating ~고 말다 into your Korean expressions, you'll enhance your ability to convey nuances of unintended or inevitable actions, making your language use more natural and expressive.

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