Korean Grammar Patterns

-커녕

Meaning

let alone / far from (with negative)

How to use it

Attaches to a noun (as -은/는커녕) or after -기는 with verbs to deny not only an expected greater thing but even a lesser, more basic one. It means 'far from X, not even Y', strongly contradicting an expectation. The following clause is negative or shows the opposite of what was hoped, often reinforced with -도 ('not even').

-은 after consonant, -는 after vowel; 커녕 can follow particles too.,Frequently follows the pattern N1-은/는커녕 N2-도 (안/못) — 'not even N2, let alone N1'.

Examples