Lesson 29 - The Particles That Make It All Clear - Only

Hello everyone!

We are back after a short break. We have been working on more grammar posts for you, so fasten your seatbelts and get ready to learn more Korean grammar patterns!

Today we're back with another post about particles (for other posts about the Korean Particles series, check here). Today, as you can notice from the title, we're going to explain the particles that express the meaning of only.


Why do I use the plural? It's because there are two ways to express this meaning. A positive one, and a negative one. Let me explain them one by one, so you don't get too confused.




Let's start with the 'positive' one, -. You will see it attached to nouns, and followed by verbs with a positive meaning. Why do I keep on repeating this word?  It's because I'm referring to verbs that represent positive actions. Let's look at some examples:



이것만 샀어요
I only bought this


두 편만 봤고 벌써 이 드라마가 마음에 들어요
I only watched two episodes and I already like this drama


너만의 의견을 가져요
You have your own opinion (literally: you have only your opinion)


내 반친구가 지난주부터 생선만 먹고 있었어요 
My classmate has been eating only fish since last week



Note that 만 usually takes the place of the other particles, except for the location, directional and (people/things) to and from particles.



장마철은 한국에만 영향을 주지 않아요
The rainy season does not only affect Korea


그 개 밖에서만 놀아요
That dog only plays outside


선생님 민수씨한테만 사탕 줬어요
The teacher gave candy only to Minsoo


그녀는 영어로만 해요
She speaks only in English



The particle 만 can be attached to other patterns too; patterns that we will see/have seen in other posts (-,  있다, 어/아야)


듣기만 어려워요
Only listening is difficult


이 책을 읽고만 있었어요
I was only reading this book


운동해야만 돼요
It works only if you exercise



You will also find it attached to adverbs.


조금만 기다려요
Wait just a little


재미있게만 살고 싶어요 
I just want to have fun



As you can see, the verbs used are not expressing negative meanings like other verbs like 없다 and the negative sentences pattern do ( and 지 않다). We're going to see these verbs used with the negative particle 밖에. It still means only but it is used with negative verbs or concepts. It would literally mean nothing but, but it is also translatable into only.


내 눈에 너밖에 안 보여요
I only see you (I see nothing but you)


한국말을 조금밖에 못해요
I only speak a little Korean (I speak nothing but a little Korean)


십분밖에 안 남았어요
We only have 10 minutes (We have nothing but 10 minutes)



동전을 필요하지만 지폐밖에 없어요
I need coins, but I only have cash (but I have nothing but cash)











VOCABS SET ON QUIZLET: 1
KPOPOLOGY WEBSITE: HomeKPOPOLOGY Explains 
DROPBOX FILES: Main folder,  Lesson 29 Practice


I will see you next time with another grammar post!






 구름

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