Korean word

여간

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeogan

Meaning

  • adverbby ordinary means

Example

이 문제는 여간으로는 풀리지 않는다.i mun je neun yeo ga neu ro neun pul li ji an neun da

This problem cannot be solved by ordinary means.

Illustration for 여간 (by ordinary means)

More examples

이 규칙은 여간해서는 바꾸기 어렵다.i kyu chi geun yeo gan hae seo neun pa kku gi eo ryeop tta

This rule is difficult to change by ordinary means.

Core concept

The usual method or amount of effort that falls short when a task requires more.

Common phrases

  • 여간해서는yeo gan hae seo neun

    by ordinary means

Similar words

좀처럼chomcheoreom: An event happens only rarely and is difficult to encounter.
쉽사리swipssari: An action or decision is made easily, with little hesitation.
결코kyeolko: An event is firmly ruled out as ever happening.

Definition in Korean

여간은 보통 '여간으로는' 또는 '여간해서는'과 함께 부정문을 이루어, 평범한 방법이나 정도만으로는 일이 쉽게 이루어지지 않음을 나타내는 부사yeo ga neun po tong yeo ga neu ro neun tto neun yeo gan hae seo neun kwa ham kke pu jeong mu neul i ru eo pyeong beom han pang beo bi na cheong do ma neu ro neun i ri swip kke i ru eo ji ji a neu meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

Its older meaning referred to a usual or moderate extent, while repeated use in negative constructions established its current emphatic adverbial sense.

Usage tips

  • For TOPIK reading, a negative clause with this adverb usually signals that an ordinary approach cannot easily achieve the result.

Opposites

Word lists with this word