Processing keyword: 만 [man] (Only)

Korean Grammar Point: 만 [man] (Only)

1. Introduction

In Korean, the particle 만 [man] is used to express the meaning of "only" or "just." It is a versatile particle that can be attached to nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs to limit or restrict the scope of a sentence to a particular element. Understanding how to use 만 correctly will enhance your ability to express exclusivity and emphasis in Korean.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning of 만

The particle 만 means "only", "just", or "nothing but". It is used to indicate that the action or state is limited exclusively to the noun or verb it is attached to.

Structure

Attaching 만 to Nouns and Pronouns

• Attach 만 directly after a noun or pronoun without any space. Formation:

  Noun/Pronoun	+	만
  친구	+	만
  저	+	만
  Example:

• 친구만 [chin-gu-man] - only friends
• 저만 [jeo-man] - only me

Attaching 만 to Verbs and Adjectives

• When attaching 만 to verbs or adjectives, it is combined with -기만 하다 or -만 하다 structures. Formation:

  Verb/Adjective Stem	+	-기만 하다 / -만 하다
  먹다	+	먹기만 하다
  듣다	+	듣기만 하다
  Example:

• 먹기만 해요 [meok-gi-man hae-yo] - I only eat.
• 듣기만 해요 [deut-gi-man hae-yo] - I only listen.

Visual Aid: Using 만 in Sentences

flowchart LR
A[Subject] -- 만 --> B[Action/Object]

• Subject만 + Verb/Object
• Subject + Object만 + Verb

3. Comparative Analysis

만 vs. 밖에

Both 만 and 밖에 express limitation, but they differ in usage and nuance.

• 만 can be used in positive and negative sentences.
• 밖에 is used only with negative verbs to emphasize scarcity.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. 저는 진실만 말합니다. [jeo-neun jin-sil-man mal-ham-ni-da] I only tell the truth.
2. 회원님들만 들어오실 수 있습니다. [hoe-won-nim-deul-man deu-reo-o-sil su it-seum-ni-da] Only members may enter.

Informal Situations

1. 나만 믿어. [na-man mi-deo] Just trust me.
2. 이거만 봐. [i-geo-man bwa] Look at only this.

Written Language

1. 꿈은 노력하는 자만이 이룰 수 있다. [kkum-eun no-ryeok-ha-neun ja-man-i i-rul su it-da] Only those who work hard can achieve their dreams.

Spoken Language

1. 오늘만 일찍 갈게요. [o-neul-man il-jjik gal-ge-yo] I'll leave early just for today.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• Using 만 does not inherently carry a level of politeness or formality.
• Politeness is expressed through verb endings and honorifics attached to the verb, not through the particle 만.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 눈에 보이는 것만 믿어요. [nun-e bo-i-neun geot-man mi-deo-yo] I only believe what I see.
• 말만 앞세우지 마세요. [mal-man ap-se-u-ji ma-se-yo] Don't just put words forward (Don't just talk the talk).

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Misplacing 만 in a sentence
   • Incorrect: 만 저는 사과를 먹었어요. (Only I ate an apple.)
   • Correct: 저만 사과를 먹었어요.
2. Using 밖에 with positive verbs
   • Incorrect: 사과밖에 먹었어요. (I ate only apples.)
   • Correct: 사과만 먹었어요.

Tips

• Position Matters: Place 만 immediately after the word you want to emphasize as "only."
• Context Clues: Pay attention to what is being limited in the sentence to use 만 correctly.
• Practice with Examples: Create sentences replacing different elements with 만 to see how the meaning changes.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• 만 means "only" or "just".
• Attach 만 directly after nouns, pronouns, or verb stems.
• To say "only do something," use the structure Verb Stem + -기만 하다.
• 만 can be used in both positive and negative sentences.
• Be mindful of word order to ensure the correct meaning.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I only study Korean" in Korean?
   • Answer: 저는 한국어만 공부해요.
2. Which particle would you use to express "I have nothing but time"?
   • Answer: 밖에 (시간밖에 없어요.)
3. Correct the error: 저는 만 커피 마셔요.
   • Corrected Sentence: 저는 커피만 마셔요.

References

• Integrated Korean: Beginning 1
• Korean Grammar in Use: Beginning
• How to Use 만 Particle