Grammar
-기는 하다
to concede that something is indeed true
Form
Verb or adjective stem + -기는 하다 — “it is true that…”, “admittedly…”.
Function
Concedes that a proposition is true, often implying a reservation or contrast. It can contract to -긴 하다.
Why this form?
-지만 — “but / although”: explicitly links two contrasting clauses.
-더라도 — “even if”: expresses hypothetical concession without asserting the fact is true.
How to build it
-기는 하다 → -긴 하다 in contracted use. Tense may appear on 하다: 먹기는 했어요.
Forms not to confuse
- -지만
맛있지만 비싸요. — It’s tasty but expensive.
- -더라도
비가 오더라도 갈 거예요. — I will go even if it rains.
Examples
하긴, 내가 꽤 세게 부딪히긴 했다. — Admittedly, I did bump into him pretty hard.
그 영화가 재미있긴 해요. — That movie is interesting, I’ll give you that.