웬 vs 왠

웬만하다

1. good but not remarkably so; around the average level; mediocre

저는 눈이 높아서 웬만한 남자는 마음에 안 들어요. I have high standards for women so mediocre men won’t appeal to me.

여기서 일하는 게 힘들어도 웬만한 회사 보다는 나아요. Even though it’s tough working here it’s better than other medicore companies.

2. within reasonable bounds of expectation. Not extreme or overboard; understandable and tolerable.

웬만하면 네가 참아. (If the situation or person is tolerable) just let it pass/don’t get upset/let it go.

웬만하면 참으려고 했는데 너무 무례해서 화를 냈어요. I was going to just tolerate it if tolerable, but he was so rude that I got angry at him.

웬만하면 외제차 말고 국산차를 사세요. 수리비가 싸서 돈을 많이 아낄 수 있어요. If possible, buy Korean cars not imported ones. The repair costs are cheaper so you can save a lot of money.

3. 웬 일 in response to an unexpected event/action that doesn’t happen normally

웬 일로 먼저 사과해요? What made you apologize first? (you don’t normally apologize)
웬 일로 설거지를 했어요? What made you do the dishes? (you don’t normally wash the dishes)

웬 일로 전화했어? What made you call me? (you don’t normally call me)

왠지 = 왜인지 모르겠지만 “I don’t know why but”

왠지 오늘 좋은 일이 생길 것 같아요. I don’t know why but I feel like something nice will happen today.

오늘은 왠지 기분이 안 좋아요. I don’t know why but I don’t feel good today.

왠지 우울해요. I don’t know why but I feel depressed.