Skip to content

Easy Korean - Level 9, Unit 14: I am simply / only... (-(으)ㄹ 따름이다)

When you want to humbly state that you are merely doing something, or that your feeling is nothing more than a certain emotion, you use the formal expression -(으)ㄹ 따름이다.

It translates to "I am simply..." or "It is only that..."

Structure Breakdown

  • -(으)ㄹ = modifier for future/state
  • 따름 = just / only / nothing but (similar to 뿐)
  • 이다 = to be

Literally: "It is just that I [Verb/Adj]."

How to Conjugate

1. Vowel stem: Add -ㄹ 따름이다 * 감사하다 -> 감사할 따름입니다 (I am simply grateful) * 기쁘다 -> 기쁠 따름입니다 (I am simply happy)

2. Consonant stem: Add -을 따름이다 * 다행이다 (noun+이다) -> 다행일 따름입니다 (It is just a relief) * 아쉽다 (ㅂ irregular) -> 아쉬울 따름입니다 (It is simply a shame)

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 vs. -(으)ㄹ 따름이다

You learned -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 in Unit 8, which also means "I am merely..." * They are very similar! However, -(으)ㄹ 따름이다 is considered much more formal, polite, and literary. * It is heavily used in acceptance speeches, formal apologies, or professional statements to show modesty.

Example Sentences

  1. 이런 큰 상을 주셔서 그저 감사할 따름입니다. (I am simply grateful that you gave me such a big award.)

  2. 결과가 이렇게 나와서 아쉬울 따름이에요. (It is simply a shame that the results came out like this.)

  3. 저는 제 할 일을 했을 따름입니다. (I merely did what I had to do.)

  4. 도와주신 분들께 죄송하고 고마울 따름입니다. (I am nothing but sorry and thankful to those who helped me.)