Billy Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #28: The Particle 만

Learning about the particle 만

In this section, we learn about the Korean particle 만 and its meaning. We also learn how to use it in sentences and how its placement can change the meaning of a sentence.

The Meaning of Particle 만

• Particle 만 is used to mean "only" in Korean.

• It attaches directly after a word, just like the particle 도.

• Examples: 저만 (only me), 피자믄 (only pizza), 고양이만 (only a cat), 한국어만 (only the Korean language).

Changing Sentence Meaning with Particle 만

• The placement of particle 만 can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

• Example: 저만 김치를 좋아해요 means "Only I like kimchi," while 저는 김치만 좋아해요 means "I only like kimchi."

Using Particle 만 with Nouns and Verbs

• Particle 만 can be used between a noun and verb 하다 to mean "to only do" or "to also do."

• Example: 공부만 하다 means "to only study," while 공부도 하다 means "to also study."

Conversation Practice with Particle 만

In this section, we practice using particle 만 in short conversations between two people.

Conversation 1

• 민우 says 저는 한국에만 가고 싶어요. (I want to go to only Korea.)

• 선아 replies 저는 미국에도 가고 싶어요. (I want to go also to America.)

Conversation 2

• 민우 says 저만 김치를 조금 먹고 싶어요. (Only I want to eat a little bit of kimchi.)

• 선아 replies 저는 조금만 먹고 싶어요. (As for me, I want to eat only a little.)

Notes on Using Particle 만

In this section, we learn some additional notes about using particle 만 in Korean sentences.

Combining Particle 만 with Markers

• Most of the time, particle 만 takes the place of any other marker that was there such as the object marker or the subject marker or the topic marker.

• It can also be used together with them if it's used before.

• Examples: Topic Marker 만은 (저만은), Object Marker 만을 (김치만을), Subject Marker 만이 (나만이).

• Note that although it's okay, this usage is much less common.

Other Ways to Say "Only"

• There are other ways to say "only" in Korean, but particle 만 is definitely the most useful one for right now.

• In a future lesson though we'll learn one more common way that uses negative verbs.

Conclusion

In this section, we conclude our lesson on particle 만 and encourage viewers to practice what they've learned.

Review

• The particle 만 means "only" in Korean and attaches directly after a word.

• Its placement can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

• It can be used between a noun and verb 하다 to mean "to only do" or "to also do."

• It can be combined with markers such as Topic Marker, Object Marker, and Subject Marker.

Practice

• Viewers are encouraged to practice using particle 만 in their own sentences before moving on to the next lesson.

Closing

• Thanks for watching and see you again next time!