-(으)ㄹ망정
even though / rather … than
Level 5 · Connective
Explanation
Accepts the (usually unfavourable) first clause while insisting the second holds, often negative. Vowel or ㄹ stems take ㄹ망정, consonant stems 을망정; nouns 일망정. Close to -(으)ㄹ지언정.
Examples
가난할망정 남의 것을 탐내지는 않는다.
Poor as I may be, I don't covet others' things.
작은 가게일망정 내 힘으로 일군 것이다.
It may be a small shop, but I built it myself.
시험에 떨어질망정 부정행위는 하지 않겠다.
I'd rather fail than cheat.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 42–43 and 46–50.