Korean Rebuttals: Responding to an Opposing Argument at Intermediate Level
Learn to acknowledge an opposing point politely in Korean, then pivot to a counterpoint using -긴 하지만, -기는 하지만, 그렇지만 and -ㄴ데요 patterns.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, disagreeing in Korean is less about saying "you are wrong" and more about managing the relationship while redirecting the logic. This lesson teaches a two-move structure: first acknowledge the other person's point with a concessive ending, then introduce your counterpoint with a contrast connector. You will practise -긴 하지만 (it is true that..., but), -기는 하지만, 그렇지만 (however), and -ㄴ데요/은데요 (softening background information). The goal is not to win an argument but to keep the conversation open while making your position clear.
By the end, you can…
- acknowledge an opposing point politely before disagreeing.
- introduce a counterpoint using concessive and contrast patterns such as -긴 하지만 and 그렇지만.
- soften a rebuttal with -ㄴ데요/은데요 and -을 것 같아요.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
그 말도 맞긴 하지만, 다른 문제도 있어요.
That may be true, but there are other problems too.
geu mal-do mat-gin ha-ji-man, da-reun mun-je-do i-sseo-yo
The core rebuttal frame. -긴 하지만 concedes the point without fully agreeing, then you add your counterpoint.
그렇지만 현실적으로 어려울 것 같아요.
However, I think it would be difficult in reality.
geu-reo-chi-man hyeon-sil-jeo-geu-ro eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo
Use 그렇지만 to pivot after acknowledging. -을 것 같아요 softens your claim into an opinion.
그렇게 볼 수도 있는데요, 비용 문제도 생각해야 하지 않을까요?
You could see it that way, but shouldn't we also consider the cost issue?
geu-reo-ke bol su-do in-neun-de-yo, bi-yong mun-je-do saeng-ga-kae-ya ha-ji a-neul-kka-yo
-ㄴ데요/은데요 makes the disagreement sound like shared thinking rather than a direct attack.
물론 일리는 있어요. 하지만 모든 경우에 적용되지는 않아요.
Of course there is a point to that. But it does not apply in every case.
mul-lon il-li-ga i-sseo-yo. ha-ji-man mo-deun gyeong-u-e jeok-yong-doe-ji-neun a-na-yo
물론 일리가 있어요 is a strong, respectful concession. 하지만 is slightly more formal than 그렇지만.
제 생각은 조금 다른데, 들어 보실래요?
My view is a little different; would you like to hear it?
je saeng-ga-geun jo-geum da-reun-de, deu-reo bo-sil-lae-yo
Invites the other person into the counterpoint instead of imposing it. Useful in meetings and discussions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most useful rebuttal pattern is [concession] + -긴 하지만 + [counterpoint]. For example: 그 계획이 좋긴 하지만 예산이 너무 커요 (The plan is good, but the budget is too big). You can also use -기는 하지만 for a slightly stronger contrast: 맞기는 하지만 지금은 때가 아니에요 (It is true, but now is not the right time). After the concession, connect your counterpoint with 그렇지만, 하지만, or -는데요. This keeps the other person's point visible while moving the conversation toward your view.
When to use it
Use this structure when the other person has made a reasonable point but you see a gap, a risk, or a different priority. In a meeting: 그 방법도 효과적일 수 있는데요, 시간이 더 걸리지 않을까요? (That method could be effective, but wouldn't it take more time?). With a friend: 재미있긴 하지만 너무 비싸지 않아? (It's fun, but isn't it too expensive?). Avoid bare -아니에요/아니야 as a first response; it can sound blunt. Concede first, then counter. In formal settings, use -습니다 style: 그 의견도 타당하지만, 다른 자료를 확인해야 할 것 같습니다.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이번 프로젝트는 온라인으로만 진행하는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
I think it would be best to run this project online only.i-beon peu-ro-jek-teu-neun on-la-in-eu-ro-man jin-haeng-ha-neun ge jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo온라인도 효율적이긴 하지만, 팀원들이 서로 얼굴을 보는 시간도 필요하지 않을까요?
Online is efficient, but don't team members also need time to see each other face to face?on-la-in-do hyo-yul-jeo-gi-gin ha-ji-man, tim-won-deu-ri seo-ro eol-gu-reul bo-neun si-gan-do pil-yo-ha-ji a-neul-kka-yo그 말도 맞는데, 오프라인 회의를 하면 이동 시간이 너무 오래 걸려요.
That's true too, but if we hold offline meetings, the travel time is too long.geu mal-do mat-neun-de, o-peu-ra-in hoe-ui-reul ha-myeon i-dong si-ga-ni neo-mu o-rae geol-lyeo-yo그렇다면 한 달에 한 번만 만나는 건 어떨까요?
Then how about meeting just once a month?geu-reo-ta-myeon han da-re han beon-man man-na-neun geon eo-tteol-kka-yoA little context goes a long way
Korean disagreement often prioritises group harmony, so direct refutation can feel aggressive, especially with someone older or senior. Conceding first with -긴 하지만 or 물론... but then adding your point is usually read as thoughtful rather than weak. In workplaces, -습니다 style and indirect questions such as -지 않을까요? are safer than blunt statements. Among close friends, plain style is fine, but the two-move structure still helps the conversation stay friendly.
One thing to watch for
Responding immediately with 아니에요, 그건 틀렸어요 (No, that's wrong) as the first move.
Try this instead: Concede first, then counter: 그 말도 일리가 있긴 하지만, 다른 자료를 보면 결과가 달라요 (There is a point to that, but if you look at other data, the result is different). This keeps the tone cooperative while still disagreeing.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Turn this into a polite rebuttal: 상대방: '이 방법이 제일 빨라요.' (The other person: 'This method is the fastest.')
Show a sample answer
빠르긴 하지만, 비용이 더 많이 들 수도 있어요.
-긴 하지만 concedes the speed point, then adds a counterpoint about cost. Alternatives like 빠를 수는 있지만 or 맞는데 비용 문제가 있어요 are also valid.
2Which connector is more formal: 그렇지만 or 하지만?
Show a sample answer
하지만 is generally a little more formal and written; 그렇지만 is common in both speech and writing.
Both mean 'however'. In formal presentations, 하지만 or 그러나 may fit better; in conversation, 그렇지만 and -는데요 are natural. Context and sentence ending matter more than the connector alone.
3Soften this rebuttal: '그 의견은 틀렸습니다.' (That opinion is wrong.)
Show a sample answer
그 의견도 일리가 있지만, 다른 가능성도 고려해야 할 것 같습니다.
This replaces a blunt judgement with a concession plus a suggestion. -을 것 같습니다 softens the claim. Other valid options include -지 않을까요? or -는 게 어떨까요?
Acknowledge first, counter second: use -긴 하지만 or 물론... to concede, then 그렇지만, 하지만, or -는데요 to introduce your counterpoint, and soften with -을 것 같아요 or -지 않을까요?.
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