KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › -지만
Korean Grammar “-지만”: Meaning and Usage (TOPIK 1)
How to attach it
Attach the pattern to the verb stem, which is the dictionary form without 다. Compare how each verb below changes depending on its last sound.
| Dictionary form | Meaning | With this pattern | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | to see, to watch | 보지만 | bojiman |
| 읽다 | to read | 읽지만 | ikjiman |
| 하다 | to do | 하지만 | hajiman |
| 살다 | to live | 살지만 | saljiman |
What changes
- This ending attaches directly to the stem. Nothing changes, whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Explanation
이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요.
“-지만” is a connective ending that joins two contrasting clauses (“but/although”). It attaches to the stem in the same form regardless of final consonants. The sentence means “This outfit is pretty, but it’s expensive.” Don’t confuse it with “-(으)니까,” which gives a reason.
이 가방은 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요.
“-지만” is a connecting ending that introduces a contrast, “but / although ~.” It attaches directly to the stem, and the past form is “-았/었지만.” The sentence means “This bag is pretty, but it’s very expensive.” Endings of purpose such as -(으)러 or -(으)려고 do not make a contrast.
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요.
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | i |
| 옷은 | ||
| 옷 | ㅇ+ㅗ+ㅅ | [오] o |
| 은 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄴ | [슨] seun |
| 예쁘지만 | ||
| 예 | ㅇ+ㅖ | ye |
| 쁘 | ㅃ+ㅡ | ppeu |
| 지 | ㅈ+ㅣ | ji |
| 만 | ㅁ+ㅏ+ㄴ | man |
| 비싸요 | ||
| 비 | ㅂ+ㅣ | bi |
| 싸 | ㅆ+ㅏ | ssa |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 옷은 → [오슨]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in the example sentence
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 옷 | noun | clothes | TOPIK level 1 |
| 예쁘다 | adjective | pretty | TOPIK level 1 |
| 너무 | adverb | too, so | TOPIK level 1 |
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 이 옷은 예쁘____ 비싸요.
Show the answer
Answer: 이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요.
Question 2 Choose the word that fits the blank: 이 가방은 예쁘____ 너무 비싸요.
Show the answer
Answer: 이 가방은 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요.
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