[Korean grammar] -는 둥 마는 둥 하다 Expressing Habits and Attitude

가: 요즘 여양 씨가 이상하지 않아요? 아까도 도서관 앞에서 마주쳤는데 인사를 하는 둥 마는 둥 하고 그냥 가 버리더라고요.
Isn’t Yeoyang acting a bit strange recently? I ran into him in front of the library a little while ago, and he kind of half-heartedly greeted me and just walked away.

나: 얼마 전에 여자 친구하고 헤어 졌대요.
He said he broke up with his girlfriend a few days ago.

가: 아, 그랬군요…그래서 요즘 수업도 듣는 둥 마는 둥 했군요.
Oh, I see… So that’s why he’s only partly paying attention in class as well.

나: 아마 말은 안 해도 많이 힘들 거예요.
I think he’s really having a tough time even if he doesn’t say so.

This expression is used to indicate that the subject only partially or half-heartedly does some action and thus does not put his or her full effort into the task at hand. It is only used with verbs.


• 어제 잠을 자는 둥 마는 둥 했더니 하루 종일 피곤해요.
Yesterday, I didn’t sleep soundly, so I’ve been tired all day (today).

• 남편은 무슨 걱정이 있는지 아침도 먹는 둥 마는 둥 하고 출근했다.
My husband left for work after only half-heartedly eating his breakfast and acted like he was worried about something.

• 늦잠을 자는 바람에 아침밥은커녕 세수도 하는 둥 마는 둥 하고 나왔어요.
I left the house without eating breakfast or even fully washing my face because I
overslept.

This expression can be used in the form of -(으)ㄹ 둥 말 둥 하다 to express speculation about some future situation.
• 직접 가서 부탁해도 들어줄 둥 말 둥 한데 전화로 하면 되겠니?
They may not accept your request even if you go there in person, so do you really think you can do it over the phone?

• 밤을 새워 공부해도 시험에 합격할 둥 말 둥 한데 TV만 보고 있으니 한심하다.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll pass the test even if you study all night, but it’s shameful to just watch TV.