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Korean Grammar Patterns
-ㄴ/ㄹ 바에(야)
Meaning
if it has come to this / might as well
How to use it
Attaches to a verb (often as -ㄹ 바에(야) or -ㄴ 바에(야)) to mean 'if it has come to the point of doing X / since X is unavoidable anyway, (one) might as well do something more decisive'. The first clause presents a given undesirable situation, and the second offers a bolder or more extreme alternative as preferable. It is emphatic and often paired with 차라리.
Common pattern: A-ㄹ 바에(야) (차라리) B-겠다 / B-는 게 낫다.,Implies the speaker accepts a drastic option since the situation is already bad.
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 이렇게 끌려다닐 바에야 차라리 그만두는 게 낫겠어요. ireoke kkeullyeodanil baeya charari geumanduneun ge natgesseoyo. | If I'm going to be dragged around like this, I might as well quit. |
| 어차피 할 바에야 제대로 하는 게 좋지요. eochapi hal baeya jedaero haneun ge jochiyo. | If you're going to do it anyway, it's better to do it properly. |
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