How to Say 'Either Way' in Korean: Expressing a Neutral Stance
Learn to say 'either way' in Korean with 어느 쪽이든, and express neutral opinions without committing to one side.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you genuinely don't prefer one option over another. In Korean, the phrase 어느 쪽이든 (eoneu jjogideun) means 'either way' or 'whichever side,' and it's the key to expressing neutrality. This lesson teaches you to say you have no strong feelings, using natural patterns that avoid agreement or disagreement. You'll learn to ask questions, respond neutrally, and keep the conversation open without sounding evasive.
By the end, you can…
- say 'either way' in Korean using 어느 쪽이든.
- express that I don't have a strong preference in a neutral way.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요.
Either way is fine.
eo-neu jjok-i-deun gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Use this when both options are acceptable to you. 괜찮아요 means 'it's okay' or 'I'm fine with it.'
어느 쪽이든 상관없어요.
I don't mind either way.
eo-neu jjok-i-deun sang-gwan-eop-seo-yo.
상관없어요 means 'it doesn't matter to me.' Slightly more neutral than 괜찮아요.
저는 딱히 선호하는 게 없어요.
I don't have a particular preference.
jeo-neun ttak-hi seon-ho-ha-neun ge eop-seo-yo.
딱히 means 'particularly' or 'especially' in negative sentences. This is a polite, clear way to state no preference.
둘 다 좋아요.
I like both.
dul da jo-a-yo.
Use when you genuinely like both options. 둘 다 means 'both.' This is positive neutrality.
아무 쪽이나 괜찮아요.
Any side is fine.
a-mu jjok-i-na gwaen-chan-a-yo.
아무 쪽이나 means 'any side' or 'whichever.' Similar to 어느 쪽이든 but with a slightly more open feeling.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 어느 쪽이든 + (neutral expression). 어느 쪽이든 literally means 'whichever side' and sets up a neutral stance. You can follow it with 괜찮아요 (it's fine), 상관없어요 (it doesn't matter), or 좋아요 (I like it). For example: 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요. (Either way is fine.) 어느 쪽이든 상관없어요. (I don't mind either way.) You can also use 아무 쪽이나 in place of 어느 쪽이든 with little difference in meaning. To ask someone else's preference, say 어느 쪽이 좋아요? (Which side do you like?) or 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요? (Is either way fine?)
When to use it
Use these expressions when you truly have no preference and want to avoid committing. They are perfect for choosing a restaurant, movie, or meeting time. For example, if a friend asks '한식 먹을까? 중식 먹을까?' (Shall we eat Korean or Chinese?), you can reply '어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요.' This keeps the decision open. If you want to be more explicit, say '저는 딱히 선호하는 게 없어요.' This is polite and clear. Avoid using these phrases when you actually do have a preference—it can frustrate others. Also, these are neutral, not negative; they don't mean you dislike the options.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
우리 오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹을까? 한식? 중식?
What should we eat for dinner today? Korean? Chinese?u-ri o-neul jeo-nyeok-e mwo meo-geul-kka? han-sik? jung-sik?어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요. 오늘은 딱히 당기는 게 없어서요.
Either way is fine. I don't have a particular craving today.eo-neu jjok-i-deun gwaen-chan-a-yo. o-neul-eun ttak-hi dang-gi-neun ge eop-seo-seo-yo.그럼 그냥 가까운 데로 갈까?
Then shall we just go somewhere close?geu-reom geu-nyang ga-kka-un de-ro gal-kka?네, 아무 쪽이나 괜찮아요.
Yes, any side is fine.ne, a-mu jjok-i-na gwaen-chan-a-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, expressing neutrality can sometimes be seen as unenthusiastic, so it's common to add a reason, like '딱히 당기는 게 없어서요' (I don't have a particular craving). This softens the response and shows you're not just being indifferent. Also, using 괜찮아요 is generally more polite than 상관없어요, which can sound a bit blunt in formal situations. Choose based on your relationship with the listener.
One thing to watch for
Treating 어느 쪽이든 as a phrase that must always be followed by a positive opinion.
Try this instead: 어느 쪽이든 means whichever side or option, so it can occur with positive or negative judgments. 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요 says either is fine. If you dislike both options, 둘 다 싫어요 is a straightforward answer. A negative verb is not automatically ungrammatical after -든.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Either way is fine' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요.
This uses the pattern 어느 쪽이든 + 괜찮아요. You could also say 어느 쪽이든 상관없어요, which is equally correct and slightly more neutral.
2Your friend asks if you prefer coffee or tea. You have no preference. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
저는 딱히 선호하는 게 없어요.
This directly states you have no particular preference. Alternatively, you could say 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요. Both are natural and polite.
3Translate: 'Any side is fine.'
Show a sample answer
아무 쪽이나 괜찮아요.
아무 쪽이나 means 'any side' and is followed by 괜찮아요. You could also use 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요, which has a very similar meaning.
Use 어느 쪽이든 괜찮아요 or 어느 쪽이든 상관없어요 when either option works for you. Add a reason if helpful. If you dislike both options, say 둘 다 싫어요.
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