V + -는 둥 마는 둥 (하다) (Barely doing, doing half-heartedly)
Meaning: Half-heartedly / barely doing at all (describes performing an action so perfunctorily or distractedly that it is as if it wasn't done).
Conjugation & Pattern
- Present: Verb stem (V) + -는 둥 마는 둥 (하다)
- Past: Verb stem (V) + -(으)ㄴ 둥 만 둥 (하다)
- Future: Verb stem (V) + -(으)ㄹ 둥 말 둥 (하다)
Detailed Usage
Pairs the main verb with auxiliary '말다' (to stop/refrain) and bound noun '둥'. Describes eating hurriedly, listening distractedly, or working perfunctorily.
Example Sentences
- 1
아침에 늦게 일어나서 밥을 먹는 둥 마는 둥 하고 집을 나왔다.
Achime neutge ireonaseo babeul meongneun dung maneun dung hago jibeul nawatda.
Because I woke up late in the morning, I barely ate my breakfast before leaving the house.
- 2
뚜안 씨는 요즘 고향 생각 때문에 회사 일을 하는 둥 마는 둥 해요.
Ttuan ssineun yojeum gohyang saenggak ttaemune hoesa ireul haneun dung maneun dung haeyo.
Because Tuan has been homesick lately, he is doing his office work half-heartedly.
- 3
남편은 무슨 걱정이 있는지 내 이야기를 듣는 둥 마는 둥 했다.
Nampyeoneun museun geokjeongi inneunji nae iyagireul deunneun dung maneun dung haetda.
My husband seemed worried about something and barely listened to what I was saying.
Important Notes
Used only with action verbs.
