-(으)ㄹ지언정
even if …, (I) would rather
Level 6 · Connective
Explanation
Accepts an extreme first clause to stress a resolve in the second (usually negative). Vowel or ㄹ stems take ㄹ지언정, consonant stems 을지언정; nouns 일지언정. Formal, stronger than -(으)ㄹ망정.
Examples
굶어 죽을지언정 남의 것을 훔치지는 않겠다.
I'd sooner starve than steal from others.
실패할지언정 도전을 멈추지 않을 것이다.
Even if I fail, I won't stop trying.
느릴지언정 정확하게 하는 것이 중요하다.
It may be slow, but accuracy is what matters.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 42–43, 46–47.