How to Use ‘-지만’ in Korean: Expressing Contrast and Opposition is an essential grammar point for beginners. The pattern ‘-지만’ helps you connect two ideas while showing a contrast, making your Korean sound natural in daily conversations. Once you learn how to use ‘-지만’ properly, you will be able to express differences, polite disagreements, and unexpected outcomes with ease.
Contents
1. Definition
The Korean grammar structure ‘지만’ serves as a conjunction to connect two clauses where the second clause contrasts with or contradicts the first. It conveys a sense of “but,” “although,” or “however.”
2. Form (Structure)
‘지만’ is attached directly to the verb or adjective stem. Here is how it is structured:
- Adjective + 지만
- Verb + 지만
- Noun + 이지만 (for nouns ending in a consonant)
- Noun + 지만 (for nouns ending in a vowel)
- Past tense: Verb/Adjective + 았/었 + 지만
- Future tense: Verb/Adjective + (으)ᄅ 것 + 이지만 or Verb/Adjective + 겠 + 지만
To make it even clearer, here’s a table:
| Word Type | Example | Meaning |
| Verb | 먹다 + 지만 = 먹지만 | “I eat, but…” |
| Adjective | 춥다 + 지만 = 춥지만 | “It’s cold, but…” |
| Noun (Consonant) | 학생 + 이지만 = 학생이지만 | “He/She is a student, but…” |
| Noun (Vowel Ending) | 친구 + 지만 = 친구지만 | “He/She is a friend, but…” |
3. Meaning & Usage
The Korean grammar pattern ‘지만’ is used to show contrast between two clauses. It can indicate a simple contrast, an unexpected result, or a contrast between an action and a state. In English, it corresponds to “but” or “although.”
1. Simple Contrast
This is used when two clauses contrast directly, expressing opposing qualities.
✅ Examples:
- 이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요. → This clothing is pretty, but expensive.
- 나는 운동을 좋아하지만 자주 하지 않아요. → I like exercising, but I don’t do it often.
- 그 영화는 재미있지만 조금 길었어요. → The movie was interesting, but it was a bit long.
- 그는 친절하지만 가끔 너무 엄격해요. → He is kind, but sometimes too strict.
- 이 음식은 건강에 좋지만 맛이 별로예요. → This food is healthy, but it doesn’t taste good.
2. Unexpected Result
This is used when the second clause presents an outcome that is different from what is normally expected.
✅ Examples:
- 날씨가 춥지만 기분이 좋아요. → The weather is cold, but I feel good.
- 한국어를 배우는 것이 어렵지만 재미있어요. → Learning Korean is difficult, but it’s fun.
- 그는 돈이 많지만 행복하지 않아요. → He has a lot of money, but he’s not happy.
- 시험을 못 봤지만 성적이 나쁘지 않았어요. → I didn’t do well on the test, but my grades weren’t bad.
- 나는 잠을 많이 잤지만 아직 피곤해요. → I slept a lot, but I’m still tired.
3. Contrast Between Action and State
This is used when one clause describes an action, while the other describes a state that contrasts with it.
✅ Examples:
- 나는 배가 고프지만 지금은 먹을 시간이 없어요. → I’m hungry, but I don’t have time to eat now.
- 우리는 친구지만 자주 만나지 않아요. → We are friends, but we don’t meet often.
- 그는 착하지만 가끔 너무 조용해요. → He is kind, but sometimes he is too quiet.
- 나는 고양이를 좋아하지만 알레르기가 있어요. → I like cats, but I have an allergy.
- 그는 한국 사람이지만 한국어를 잘 못해요. → He is Korean, but he’s not good at Korean.
4. Examples
To see more examples of ‘지만’ in present, past, and future tenses, check out the next page for a detailed list of example sentences! Click below 👇👇👇 to explore more ‘지만’ examples!
5. Key Points to Remember
- ‘지만’ attaches directly to verb/adjective stems.
- It shows contrast between two statements.
- Tense is determined by the verb/adjective before ‘지만’.
- For nouns, use ‘이지만’ after consonants and ‘지만’ after vowels.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘지만’. (English translation provided in parentheses)
- 나는 ____________ 아직 일을 해야 해요.
(I’m tired, but I still have to work.) - 이 음식은 ____________ 너무 매워요.
(This food is delicious, but too spicy.) - 날씨가 ____________ 바람이 많이 불어요.
(The weather is nice, but very windy.) - 나는 한국어를 ____________ 아직 잘 못해요.
(I’m learning Korean, but I’m not good yet.) - 그는 돈이 ____________ 행복하지 않아요.
(He has a lot of money, but he’s not happy.) - 이 옷은 ____________ 가격이 비싸요.
(This clothing is pretty, but expensive.) - 나는 운동을 ____________ 자주 하지 않아요.
(I like exercising, but I don’t do it often.) - 어제 날씨가 ____________ 오늘은 따뜻해요.
(Yesterday was cold, but today is warm.) - 그녀는 ____________ 항상 친구들을 도와줘요.
(She is busy, but she always helps her friends.) - 그는 ____________ 가끔 너무 조용해요.
(He is kind, but sometimes too quiet.)
6. Answers
- 피곤하지만
- 맛있지만
- 좋지만
- 배우지만
- 많지만
- 예쁘지만
- 좋아하지만
- 춥지만
- 바쁘지만
- 친절하지만
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Inconsistent tense
Incorrect: 비가 오지만 날씨가 좋았어요. ❌
Correct: 비가 왔지만 날씨가 좋았어요. ✅
💡 Tip: Ensure the tense in both clauses makes sense. Past events should match past tense; mixing present and past can sound unnatural.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Omitting ‘-이’ with nouns ending in a consonant
Incorrect: 저는 학생지만 열심히 일해요. ❌
Correct: 저는 학생이지만 열심히 일해요. ✅
💡 Tip: Always add ‘-이’ to nouns with a final consonant before attaching ‘-지만’.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Avoiding logical contrast
Incorrect: 저는 한국어를 배우지만 공부해요. ❌
Correct: 저는 한국어를 배우지만 아직 잘 못해요. ✅
💡 Tip: Make sure the two clauses logically contrast; otherwise, ‘-지만’ sounds unnatural.
Mastering the ‘지만’ grammar pattern is essential for expressing contrast in Korean. By practicing its structure and usage, you will be able to form more natural sentences in everyday conversations. Keep practicing and you’ll become more comfortable using it!