만 = Only, Just | Korean Particles Lesson

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Check out my lesson on 도 here:

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만 = Only / Just

Usage: The particle 만 means only, just, or nothing but. It limits the noun it follows, showing that nothing else is included.

Attach 만 to a noun to mean only.

Formula

Noun + 만

Example Sentences:

나만

Only me

너만

Only you

저만

Only me (polite)

우리만

Only us

나만 몰랐어요.

Only I didn't know.

너만 할 수 있어.

Only you can do it.

저만 학생이에요.

Only I am a student.

물만 마셨어요.

I only drank water.

한국어만 공부해요.

I only study Korean.

오늘만 쉬어요.

I'm only resting today.

고양이만 좋아해요.

I only like cats.

저는 커피만 마셔요.

I only drink coffee.

김치만 먹었어요.

I only ate kimchi.

한국에만 가 봤어요.

I've only been to Korea.

이것만 필요해요.

I only need this.

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만 with Time

You can add 만 to the time marker -에

오늘만

Only today

이번 주만

Only this week

지금만

Just now / Only now

올해만

Only this year

이번 주만 바빠요.

I'm only busy this week.

조금만 시간이 있어요.

I only have time right now.

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만 with Places

You can add 만 to the location marker -에 and 에서

한국에서만 살았어요.

I've only lived in Korea.

여기만 깨끗해요.

Only this place is clean.

서울에만 있어요.

I'm only in Seoul.

집에만 있었어요.

I stayed only at home.

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만 with Numbers

한 번만

Only once

하나만

Just one

조금만

Just a little

5분만

Just five minutes

만원만

Only 10,000 won

한 번만 도와주세요.

Please help me just once.

조금만 기다리세요.

Please wait just a little.

하나만 주세요.

Please give me just one.

5분만 쉬어요.

Let's rest for just five minutes.

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Verb stem + 기만 하다

This grammar means to do nothing but...

먹기만 했어요.

I did nothing but eat.

놀기만 했어요.

I did nothing but play.

자기만 했어요.

I did nothing but sleep.

Unlike the particle 만, -기만 하다 attaches directly to the verb, not a noun.

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That’s all for this lesson!