Unit 27: Only (만)

To say "only" or "just" in Korean, you attach the particle 만 (man) directly to the noun you are talking about.

1. Noun + 만 = Only [Noun]

Unlike English, where "only" usually goes before the word (I only have an apple), in Korean, 만 is attached as a suffix.

• 물 (Water) + 만 = 물만 (Only water)
• 저 (I/Me) + 만 = 저만 (Only me)
• 오늘 (Today) + 만 = 오늘만 (Only today)

2. Examples in Sentences

When you attach 만, it often replaces the subject or topic markers (이/가, 은/는) or the object marker (을/를). You just use 만 instead!

• 이것만 샀어요. = I bought only this.
• 저만 갔어요. = Only I went.
• 커피만 마셔요. = I drink only coffee.
• 아침에만 운동해요. = I exercise only in the morning. (Notice here that 만 can be attached AFTER the location/time marker 에! -> 에 + 만 = 에만).

3. "Just" doing something

Sometimes 만 translates better to "just" in English.

• 보기만 했어요. = I just looked. (Literally: I did only the action of looking).
• 하나만 주세요. = Please give me just one.

4. Only slightly... (조금만)

A very common and polite phrase in Korean uses the word "조금" (a little) + 만.

• 조금만 주세요. = Please give me just a little bit.
• 조금만 기다리세요. = Please wait just a moment (a little bit).

Summary

• 만 = Only / Just
• It attaches directly to the end of a Noun.
• It can replace subject/object particles.