여간

yeogan

Just, a little. 여간 ~지 않다 means very very ~다

TOPIK 4

Usage and Meaning

The adverb '여간' is used to express 'just' or 'a little,' often implying something is not ordinary or usual. When combined with the negative construction '~지 않다', it intensifies the meaning to 'very' or 'extremely.' This pattern is common in spoken and written Korean to emphasize the degree of a situation or feeling.

Common Collocations

  • 여간 ~지 않다: to express something is very or extremely (e.g., 여간 힘들지 않다 - to be very hard)
  • 여간 어려운 일이 아니다: to say something is no ordinary difficult task
  • 여간 기쁘지 않다: to express great happiness

Register and Usage Notes

'여간' is neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It often appears in descriptive sentences emphasizing the intensity or unusual nature of a situation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '여간' with '아주' or '매우' which also mean 'very.' However, '여간' is typically used in the negative pattern '~지 않다' to emphasize, while '아주' and '매우' are more straightforward intensifiers without requiring a negative form.

Understanding this nuance will help learners use '여간' correctly and naturally in conversation.

Example Sentences

여간 힘든 일이 아니었어요.

Yeogan himdeun iri anieosseoyo.

It was no ordinary hard work.

여간 기쁜 일이 아니에요.

Yeogan gippeun iri anieyo.

It is extremely joyful.

여간 어려운 문제가 아니니까 천천히 생각해 보세요.

Yeogan eoryeoun munjega aninikka cheoncheonhi saenggakhae boseyo.

Since it’s not a very difficult problem, think about it slowly.