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Easy Korean - Level 9, Unit 17: Even (the last remaining...) (-마저)

In Unit 3, we learned that -조차 means "even," with a nuance of extreme negativity (e.g., I don't even know his name).

In this unit, we learn another word for "even": -마저 (-ma-jeo).

The Nuance of -마저

-마저 attaches to a noun and means "even" or "up to the last one." It is used when things were already bad (or good), and now even the final remaining thing is included, crossing the line.

  • "My wallet was stolen. And then, even my phone was stolen." (내 핸드폰마저...)
  • It implies: Everything else is already gone/done, and now this last piece too.

-조차 vs. -마저

  • -조차 (Even the most basic): "I was so busy I couldn't even eat." (Eating is basic, but I couldn't do it).
  • -마저 (Even the last remaining): "My friends left, and even my family left me." (Family was the last one left, but now they are gone too).

Note: While they have slightly different nuances, in many negative situations, Koreans use them interchangeably.

How to use -마저

Attach -마저 directly to the noun.

  • 너 (you) -> 너마저 (Even you)
  • 이것 (this) -> 이것마저 (Even this)
  • 희망 (hope) -> 희망마저 (Even hope)

Example Sentences

  1. 마지막 남은 희망마저 사라졌어요. (Even the last remaining hope has disappeared.)

  2. 믿었던 친구마저 저를 배신했어요. (Even my friend, whom I trusted (when everyone else left), betrayed me.)

  3. 비가 오는데 바람마저 불어요. (It is raining, and even the wind is blowing [adding to the bad weather].)

  4. 너마저 나를 안 믿는구나. (Even you (my last defender) do not believe me.)