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

🌿 Level 3 · Essential Expressions

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., μ΄κ²ƒλ§Œ μ£Όμ„Έμš” = 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 μ—†λ‹€, μ•ˆ, λͺ», 지 μ•Šλ‹€).

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

  4. 사과가 ν•˜λ‚˜λ§Œ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (There is only one apple. - Neutral fact)

  5. 사과가 ν•˜λ‚˜λ°–μ— μ—†μ–΄μš”. (There is nothing but one apple. / I only have one apple [and that's not enough].)

Structure: Noun + 밖에 + Negative Verb

  • 돈 (money) -> λˆλ°–μ— μ—†μ–΄μš”. (I have nothing but money / I only have money.)
  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ (Korean) -> ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ°–μ— λͺ°λΌμš”. (I don't know anything outside of Korean / I only know Korean.)
  • ν•œ λͺ… (one person) -> ν•œ λͺ…밖에 μ•ˆ μ™”μ–΄μš”. (No one came except one person / Only one person came.)

Common Negative Verbs used with 밖에

  • μ—†λ‹€ (to not exist / not have)
  • λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€ (to not know)
  • μ•ˆ / -지 μ•Šλ‹€ (do not)
  • λͺ» / -지 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ (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 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. (WRONG) -> μ΄κ²ƒλ§Œ λ³΄μ„Έμš”. (RIGHT - Please look only at this.)

Example Sentences

  1. 지갑에 천 원밖에 μ—†μ–΄μš”. (I have only 1,000 won in my wallet.)
  2. μ‹œκ°„μ΄ 5뢄밖에 μ—†μ–΄μš”. 빨리 κ°€μš”. (We only have 5 minutes. Let's go fast.)
  3. μ €λŠ” λ„ˆλ°–μ— μ•ˆ μ‚¬λž‘ν•΄. (I love no one but you. / I only love you.)
  4. 우유λ₯Ό μ‘°κΈˆλ°–μ— λͺ» λ§ˆμ…¨μ–΄μš”. (I could only drink a little milk.)
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