-만
Only, But Only
-만 is a particle meaning 'only' or 'just'. It attaches directly to a noun to specify that nothing else is included. For example, '물만 마셔요' means 'I only drink water'.
How It Works
The particle -만 is one of the most common ways to express 'only' or 'just' in Korean. It highlights that the statement applies exclusively to the noun it's attached to.
1. Basic Usage
It attaches directly to a noun, pronoun, or adverb. The final sound (vowel or consonant) of the preceding word does not change how -만 is attached.
- 사과 + 만 → 사과만 (only apples)
- 책 + 만 → 책만 (only books)
- 오늘 + 만 → 오늘만 (only today)
2. Interaction with Other Particles
This is a key point for using -만 correctly.
A) -만 replaces subject and object particles.
You should not use 이/가, 은/는, or 을/를 together with -만. The particle -만 takes their place.
- Incorrect: 학생이만 왔어요. (x)
- Correct: 학생만 왔어요. (Only the student came.)
- Incorrect: 저는 커피를만 마셔요. (x)
- Correct: 저는 커피만 마셔요. (I only drink coffee.)
B) -만 combines with other particles.
-만 can be added after location, time, and other particles to add the meaning of 'only'.
- 학교에 + 만 → 학교에만 (only to school)
- 집에서 + 만 → 집에서만 (only at home)
- 친구에게 + 만 → 친구에게만 (only to a friend)
- 부모님께 + 만 → 부모님께만 (only to parents)
This distinction between replacing and combining is very important for natural-sounding Korean.
Examples (5)
- 저는 물만 마셔요.
I only drink water.
Word by Word: I water-only drink.
- 교실에 학생만 있어요.
There are only students in the classroom.
Word by Word: In the classroom student-only exist.
- 주말에만 영화를 봐요.
I only watch movies on the weekend.
Word by Word: On the weekend-only movies watch.
Here, -만 is combined with the time/location particle -에 to mean 'only on'.
- 이 비밀은 너에게만 말할게.
I'll only tell this secret to you.
Word by Word: This secret is to you-only will tell.
-만 is combined with the particle -에게 (to someone) to specify the recipient.
- 왜 이것만 샀어요?
Why did you only buy this?
Word by Word: Why this thing-only bought?
Common Mistakes
Using subject/object particles together with -만.
Not Quite저는 사과를만 좋아해요.Better저는 사과만 좋아해요.-만 replaces the object particle 을/를 and subject particles 이/가/은/는. You should not use them together. The particle -만 itself marks the noun as the object in this context.
Confusing -만 with -밖에, which requires a negative verb.
Not Quite천 원밖에 있어요.Better천 원밖에 없어요.The pattern -밖에 also means 'only' but must always be followed by a negative verb (like 없다, 안, 못). If you want to use a positive verb (like 있다), you must use -만. The correct positive sentence is '천 원만 있어요.'
Related Patterns
- -밖에Only, Except
-밖에 also means 'only' or 'nothing but', but it has a crucial difference: it must always be followed by a negative predicate (e.g., 없다, 안, 못). -만 can be used with both positive and negative predicates. Compare: '천 원만 있어요' (I only have 1000 won) vs. '천 원밖에 없어요' (I have nothing but 1000 won).
- -도Also, Too, Even
-도 means 'also' or 'too', making it the opposite of -만. While -만 singles out and excludes, -도 includes something in addition to others. Compare: '사과만 먹어요' (I eat only apples) vs. '사과도 먹어요' (I eat apples, too).
- -뿐Only, Just
-뿐 is another way to express 'only' or 'just'. It's often used in the form '-ㄹ 뿐이다' with verbs or 'Noun + 뿐이다'. It can carry a more emphatic or literary nuance than -만. For example, '내가 믿는 사람은 너뿐이야' (The only person I trust is you).
- 은/는Topic Marker
-만 often replaces the topic particle 은/는 or subject particle 이/가. Understanding how -은/는 marks the topic helps clarify what -만 is singling out and replacing. For example, '학생은 공부해요' (Students study) becomes '학생만 공부해요' (Only students study).
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.