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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 18: Nothing but, Only (밖에)

In Korean, there are two main ways to say "only." The first is 만 (man), which you learned earlier (e.g., 이것만 주세요 = Give me only this).

In this unit, we will learn the second way: 밖에 (bak-ke).

How is 밖에 different from 만?

  1. 밖에 literally means "outside of."
  2. Therefore, it MUST be followed by a negative verb (like 없다, 안, 못, 지 않다).

  3. It gives a nuance of disappointment, lack, or that something is "not enough."

  4. 사과가 하나만 있어요. (There is only one apple. - Neutral fact)

  5. 사과가 하나밖에 없어요. (There is nothing but one apple. / I only have one apple [and that's not enough].)

Structure: Noun + 밖에 + Negative Verb

  • 돈 (money) -> 돈밖에 없어요. (I have nothing but money / I only have money.)
  • 한국어 (Korean) -> 한국어밖에 몰라요. (I don't know anything outside of Korean / I only know Korean.)
  • 한 명 (one person) -> 한 명밖에 안 왔어요. (No one came except one person / Only one person came.)

Common Negative Verbs used with 밖에

  • 없다 (to not exist / not have)
  • 모르다 (to not know)
  • 안 / -지 않다 (do not)
  • 못 / -지 못하다 (cannot)

Exceptions

You cannot use 밖에 with imperative (do this) or propositive (let's do this) sentences. In those cases, you must use 만. * 이것밖에 보지 마세요. (WRONG) -> 이것만 보세요. (RIGHT - Please look only at this.)

Example Sentences

  1. 지갑에 천 원밖에 없어요. (I have only 1,000 won in my wallet.)
  2. 시간이 5분밖에 없어요. 빨리 가요. (We only have 5 minutes. Let's go fast.)
  3. 저는 너밖에 안 사랑해. (I love no one but you. / I only love you.)
  4. 우유를 조금밖에 못 마셨어요. (I could only drink a little milk.)