-지만Korean connective · TOPIK 1

-jiman

A connective ending used to recognize the truth of the preceding statement and add facts that are the opposite of it or different.

앞에 오는 말을 인정하면서 그와 반대되거나 다른 사실을 덧붙일 때 쓰는 연결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

승규는 머리는 좋지만 다소 산만하다.

Seunggyu is smart, but he's a bit scatterbrained.

내가 나이는 들었지만 아직 마음만은 젊다.

I'm getting older, but I still feel young at heart.

남편의 선물은 작은 성의였지만 충분히 감동적이었다.

My husband's gift was a small gesture, but it was touching enough.

대화In conversation

지수 정말 예쁘지?

Jisu is really pretty, isn't she?

걔는 얼굴은 예쁘지만 성격이 좀 별로인 것 같아.

She's pretty, but I think her personality is a bit off.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.

-고 -go A connective ending used when listing more than two equal facts. TOPIK 1 -어서 -eoseo -아서 · -여서 · -어 A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding event and the following one happened sequentially. TOPIK 1 -으니까 -eunikka -니까 A connective ending used to emphasize that the preceding statement is the cause, reason, or premise for the following statement. TOPIK 1 -으러 -eureo -러 A connective ending used to express the purpose of an action such as going and coming. TOPIK 1 -으려고 -euryeogo -려고 · 으려 · 려 A connective ending used to indicate that one has an intention or desire of doing a certain act. TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -지만 mean in Korean?

-지만 is a connective introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). A connective ending used to recognize the truth of the preceding statement and add facts that are the opposite of it or different.

When do you use -지만?

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

What TOPIK level is -지만?

1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.