~ 지만
~지만 is a useful conjunction in Korean that means "but" or "although."
You use it to connect two clauses that have a contrasting relationship.
The first clause will state something, and the second clause will then introduce something different or opposite.
It's a common way to express a simple contrast in sentences.
You can use the ~지만 conjunction to connect two contrasting clauses. This is a very useful way to express 'but' or 'although' in Korean. It's often used when the second clause presents information that goes against what's expected from the first clause.
For example, you might say, 'I like coffee, but I don't drink it often.' The first part sets up an expectation that you would drink it often, but the second part contrasts with that.
You simply attach ~지만 to the stem of the verb or adjective. It's quite straightforward to use once you get the hang of it!
You're already familiar with how ~지만 works at an A1 level, like in sentences such as 비싸지만 좋아요 (It's expensive, but it's good). At a B1 level, we can expand its use to connect more complex contrasting ideas or situations. Think of it as a way to acknowledge one fact while introducing another that stands in contrast to it, even if the contrast isn't a direct opposite.
For example, you could use it to show that an action was taken despite a certain condition, like 몸이 아프지만 학교에 갔어요 (My body was sick, but I went to school). Here, going to school happens despite being sick. You can also use ~지만 with verbs in different tenses to contrast past and present, or even two past events.
It’s a really versatile conjunction that helps create more nuanced and sophisticated sentences by clearly presenting two different facets of a situation. Mastering this allows you to express more complex relationships between clauses in your Korean.
~지만 is a conjunctive ending that connects two contrasting clauses. It directly attaches to the stem of a verb or an adjective. The clause before ~지만 expresses a situation or fact, and the clause after ~지만 introduces a contrasting or opposite situation or fact. It's similar to "but" or "although" in English. For example, you might say "날씨는 춥지만, 기분은 좋아요" (The weather is cold, but my mood is good). This ending is very commonly used in everyday conversation to express simple contrasts.
When used to connect two clauses, the Korean conjunction ‘~지만’ functions similarly to “but” or “although” in English. It indicates that the second clause contrasts with or presents a different perspective from the first clause.
This conjunction can be attached to the stem of a verb, adjective, or to ‘이다’ (to be). The subject of the two clauses can be the same or different. It’s a very versatile and commonly used grammatical structure.
For instance, you might say, ‘날씨는 좋지만 바람이 많이 불어요’ which means ‘The weather is good, but the wind is blowing a lot.’ Here, ‘좋지만’ is formed by attaching ‘~지만’ to the adjective stem ‘좋다’ (to be good).
Another example could be, ‘저는 학생이지만 그는 선생님이에요’ meaning ‘I am a student, but he is a teacher.’ In this case, ‘~지만’ is attached to ‘학생이다’ (to be a student), showcasing different subjects for each clause.
When attaching -지만 to verbs or adjectives, it indicates a contrast or concession between the preceding and following clauses. This grammatical pattern can be used with both descriptive verbs (like adjectives) and action verbs.
It's a versatile conjunction, allowing you to express "but," "although," or "however." The tense is determined by the first clause, so if the first clause is in the past tense, -았/었지만 is used. Similarly, if it's in the future, -겠지지만 can be used, though this form is less common.
For example, if you want to say "It's expensive, but it's delicious," you would say "비싸지만 맛있어요." Another example is "I studied, but I didn't get a good score," which would be "공부했지만 좋은 점수를 못 받았어요."
This is a fundamental conjunction for expressing complex ideas and is used very frequently in everyday Korean.
§ What ~지만 means and when to use it
The Korean conjunction ~지만 is super useful. It's how you say "but" or "although" in English. Think of it as a bridge that connects two clauses (parts of a sentence) where the second clause presents a contrast, an opposition, or something unexpected based on the first clause.
You attach ~지만 to the end of a verb stem, an adjective stem, or even a noun with 이다 (to be). It's quite versatile. The cool thing is that it doesn't matter if the stem ends in a consonant or a vowel; you just slap ~지만 right on it. No complicated rules for changing its form!
Let's look at some basic examples to get a feel for it:
비가 오지만 저는 산책할 거예요.
This translates to: "Although it's raining, I will go for a walk." Here, 'raining' and 'going for a walk' are contrasting actions. Usually, if it rains, you might not go for a walk, but the speaker will. That's the contrast.
이 옷은 비싸지만 예뻐요.
This means: "This clothing is expensive, but it's pretty." The contrast is between being expensive and being pretty. Even though it's costly, its beauty is a positive point.
저는 학생이지만 직업이 있어요.
This sentence means: "I am a student, but I have a job." Here, 'student' is a noun, and '이지만' is attached to it to show the contrast (being a student often implies not having a job, but here, the person does). Remember, for nouns, you add '이지만' if the noun ends in a consonant, or '지만' if it ends in a vowel. So, for '학생' (ends in consonant 'ㅇ'), it's '학생이지만'. If it were '의사' (doctor, ends in vowel 'ㅏ'), it would be '의사지만'.
The key takeaway is that ~지만 introduces information that somehow goes against or provides a different perspective to what was just stated. It's a very common way to express nuance in conversations and writing.
Here's a breakdown of its structure:
- Verb/Adjective Stem
- + ~지만
- Noun ending in consonant
- + ~이지만
- Noun ending in vowel
- + ~지만
Let's practice with a few more:
먹다 (to eat) → 먹지만 (although eating)
크다 (to be big) → 크지만 (although big)
책 (book) → 책이지만 (although it is a book)
가수 (singer) → 가수지만 (although it is a singer)
You'll hear and use ~지만 all the time in Korean. Mastering it early will significantly boost your ability to form more complex and natural-sounding sentences. It's a foundational piece for expressing nuanced ideas, moving beyond simple statements to connect thoughts in a meaningful way.
Alright, let's dive into how to use the Korean conjunction '~지만' (jiman), which means 'but' or 'although.' This is super practical because you'll hear and use it constantly in everyday Korean, whether you're at work, school, or just watching the news. It's how you connect two contrasting ideas, and it's a fundamental part of sounding natural in Korean.
The great thing about '~지만' is its versatility. You can attach it to verbs, adjectives, and even '이다' (to be) without changing the stem. This makes it a really easy and useful grammar point to pick up early on.
§ At Work: Professional yet Contrasting
In a professional setting, you'll often use '~지만' to politely express a different opinion, point out a discrepancy, or acknowledge a point before presenting a counter-argument. It allows you to be direct but still maintain a respectful tone.
- DEFINITION
- Use '~지만' to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast or an unexpected outcome to the first.
이 프로젝트는 중요합니다지만, 시간이 부족합니다. (This project is important, but we lack time.)
Here, you're stating the importance of the project, but immediately following up with a constraint. This is a common way to manage expectations or explain a challenge.
그 아이디어는 좋습니다지만, 예산 문제가 있습니다. (That idea is good, but there's a budget issue.)
§ At School: Explaining and Qualifying
In an academic environment, '~지만' is great for making nuanced statements, comparing and contrasting, or explaining exceptions. You'll use it when discussing topics, presenting findings, or even just talking to classmates.
한국어는 어렵습니다지만, 재미있습니다. (Korean is difficult, but it's fun.)
This is a classic example. You acknowledge the difficulty, but then immediately follow up with a positive counterpoint. It's a balanced statement.
시험 공부를 열심히 했어요지만, 결과는 좋지 않았어요. (I studied hard for the test, but the result wasn't good.)
Here, the second clause expresses an unexpected outcome despite the effort in the first clause. You'll hear this kind of construction often when people are talking about their experiences.
When talking about subjects:
수학은 좋아합니다지만, 과학은 싫어합니다. (I like math, but I dislike science.)
§ In the News: Objective Reporting
News reports often use '~지만' to present balanced information, showing different sides of a story, or to state a fact and then an opposing or qualifying fact. It helps maintain an objective tone by presenting multiple viewpoints or developments.
새로운 정책은 도입되었지만, 효과에 대한 논쟁은 계속되고 있습니다. (The new policy was introduced, but debates about its effectiveness continue.)
This sentence structure allows the news to report on an event, but then immediately acknowledge ongoing discussion or controversy around it. It's a concise way to give a more complete picture.
날씨는 좋았지만, 바람이 많이 불었어요. (The weather was good, but it was very windy.)
Even in simple weather reports, '~지만' is used to give a more accurate description by including contrasting elements.
Mastering '~지만' is a big step towards more fluid and natural Korean. It allows you to express complex ideas and nuances, making your conversations much richer. Keep practicing by listening for it and trying to use it yourself!
§ Don't confuse ~지만 with ~는데/~은데/~는데 (and, but, so)
Many beginners mix up ~지만 with ~는데, ~은데, or ~는데. While both can connect clauses, they have different nuances. ~지만 strictly means 'but' or 'although,' indicating a direct contrast. ~는데/~은데/~는데, on the other hand, can introduce background information, a reason, or a mild contrast that often leads to a follow-up question or statement.
- DEFINITION
- Use ~지만 when the second clause directly contradicts or presents a strong alternative to the first clause.
이 옷은 비싸지만 예뻐요. (This clothes are expensive, but pretty.)
- DEFINITION
- Use ~는데/~은데/~는데 when you are setting the scene, giving background, or offering a softer contrast that might lead to more discussion.
날씨가 좋은데 우리 공원에 갈까요? (The weather is nice, so shall we go to the park? / The weather is nice, how about we go to the park?)
§ Using ~지만 for a topic change or new information
Sometimes learners use ~지만 to introduce new information that isn't necessarily a contrast. While it's not always grammatically wrong, it can sound unnatural. ~지만 is meant for direct opposition or differing characteristics.
Wrong: 저는 한국에 살아요. 하지만 일본어를 공부해요. (I live in Korea. But I study Japanese.)
In this case, studying Japanese isn't really a contrast to living in Korea. It's just new information. A simple '그리고' (and) or even just two separate sentences would be more natural.
Better: 저는 한국에 살아요. 그리고 일본어를 공부해요. (I live in Korea. And I study Japanese.)
§ Forgetting to attach ~지만 directly to the verb or adjective stem
This might seem basic, but it's a common slip-up. ~지만 always attaches directly to the stem of a verb or adjective. You don't add any other endings or particles before it.
Correct: 가다 (to go) → 가지만
Incorrect: 갔지만 (This would be past tense, which is a different construction. For past tense, you'd use ~았/었지만.)
Correct: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁘지만
Incorrect: 예쁜지만 (This tries to use the descriptive adjective form, which is wrong with ~지만.)
Just take off the -다 from the dictionary form and stick ~지만 right on.
§ Overusing ~지만
While ~지만 is super useful, don't use it in every sentence where you want to show a contrast. Just like in English, repeating 'but' too often can make your speech sound clunky or repetitive. Sometimes, simply using two separate sentences or a different linking expression can be more natural.
Repetitive: 이 식당은 맛있지만 비싸요. 그리고 서비스가 좋지만 자리가 없어요. (This restaurant is delicious but expensive. And the service is good but there are no seats.)
Consider breaking it up or using a different construction for the second part.
Better: 이 식당은 맛있지만 비싸요. 서비스는 좋지만, 자리가 없어서 아쉬워요. (This restaurant is delicious but expensive. The service is good, but it's a shame there are no seats.)
§ What ~지만 Means
The Korean conjunction ~지만 (ji-man) is used to connect two clauses where the second clause contrasts with or is contrary to the first clause. It's similar to 'but' or 'although' in English. This is a very common and useful conjunction, so mastering it will greatly improve your Korean communication.
- KOREAN WORD
- ~지만 (conjunction)
- DEFINITION
- But, although (connects contrasting clauses).
§ How to Use ~지만
You attach ~지만 directly to the stem of a verb or an adjective. There are no special rules for batchim (final consonants) or vowel/consonant endings, which makes it quite easy to use!
- For verbs: Verb stem + 지만
- For adjectives: Adjective stem + 지만
- For nouns: Noun + 이지만 (if the noun ends in a consonant) or Noun + 지만 (if the noun ends in a vowel)
§ Examples with ~지만
비가 오지만 갈 거예요. (It's raining, but I will go.)
이 옷은 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요. (These clothes are pretty, but they are too expensive.)
저는 학생이지만 직업도 있어요. (I am a student, but I also have a job.)
§ ~지만 vs. other 'but' words
Korean has several ways to say 'but' or 'although'. While ~지만 is versatile, it's good to know some alternatives and when to use them.
그러나 (geu-reo-na) / 하지만 (ha-ji-man)
These are more formal and often used at the beginning of a new sentence. They function more like 'However,' or 'Nonetheless.' ~지만, on the other hand, connects clauses within a single sentence or thought.
날씨가 좋아요. 하지만 추워요. (The weather is good. However, it's cold.)
Compare that to:
날씨가 좋지만 추워요. (The weather is good, but it's cold.)
See how ~지만 creates a smoother flow within one sentence?
~ㄴ/는데 (~n/neun-de)
This is another common connective ending that can express contrast, but it has a broader range of uses. It can also provide background information or introduce a new topic. When it expresses contrast, it often carries a slightly softer nuance than ~지만, or implies that the second clause is a result or reaction to the first.
- ~지만: Directly states a contradiction or contrast.
- ~ㄴ/는데: Can state a contrast, but often implies more context or a slightly unexpected consequence.
배고프지만 먹을 시간이 없어요. (I'm hungry, but I don't have time to eat.) - Direct contrast.
배고픈데 먹을 시간이 없어요. (I'm hungry, so I don't have time to eat / and I don't have time to eat.) - Can imply a reason or a problematic situation.
In summary, while there are other ways to express contrast, ~지만 is a fundamental and straightforward way to connect two opposing ideas in a single sentence. It's often the safest and most direct choice when you simply want to say 'but' or 'although'. Practice using it in your sentences to make your Korean sound more natural and connected!
How Formal Is It?
"이것은 어렵지만, 불가능하지 않습니다. (This is difficult, but not impossible.)"
"비가 오지만, 우리는 소풍을 갈 거예요. (It's raining, but we're going on a picnic.)"
"피곤하지만, 영화 볼래? (I'm tired, but wanna watch a movie?)"
"사탕 먹고 싶지만, 엄마가 안 돼. (I want candy, but Mommy says no.)"
"돈 없지만, 놀러 가자! (No money, but let's go hang out!)"
Wusstest du?
This conjunction can also be used to soften a request or a statement, making it more polite. For example, '좀 비싸지만 살게요.' (It's a bit expensive, but I'll buy it.)
Aussprachehilfe
- pronouncing the 'j' sound too softly, almost like a 'y'
- not clearly separating the two syllables 'ji' and 'man'
Wichtige Grammatik
Can connect two simple sentences that express contrasting ideas. The part before ~지만 is the contrasting idea.
날씨가 춥지만 하늘이 맑아요. (The weather is cold, but the sky is clear.)
Can be attached to the end of a verb stem, adjective stem, or 이다/아니다.
저는 학생이지만 일도 해요. (I am a student, but I also work.)
When used with verbs, it implies 'although [verb]'.
밥을 먹었지만 아직 배고파요. (Although I ate, I'm still hungry.)
When used with adjectives, it implies 'although [adjective]'.
이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요. (This clothing is pretty, but it's expensive.)
The tense is expressed in the first clause before ~지만.
어제 영화를 봤지만 재미없었어요. (I watched a movie yesterday, but it wasn't fun.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
이것은 작지만 좋습니다.
This is small, but good.
나는 학생이지만 일해요.
I am a student, but I work.
비가 오지만 나갈 거예요.
It's raining, but I will go out.
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult, but fun.
저는 키가 작지만 빠릅니다.
I am short, but fast.
이 옷은 비싸지만 예뻐요.
These clothes are expensive, but pretty.
오늘은 춥지만 햇살이 좋아요.
Today is cold, but the sunshine is good.
나는 피곤하지만 숙제를 할 거예요.
I am tired, but I will do my homework.
이것은 작지만 강해요.
This is small, but strong.
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult, but interesting.
저는 학생이지만 일도 해요.
I am a student, but I also work.
어제는 비가 왔지만 오늘은 맑아요.
It rained yesterday, but it's clear today.
이 옷은 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요.
These clothes are pretty, but too expensive.
저는 키가 크지만 제 남동생은 작아요.
I am tall, but my younger brother is short.
피곤하지만 숙제를 해야 해요.
I'm tired, but I have to do my homework.
이 음식은 맛있지만 좀 매워요.
This food is delicious, but a little spicy.
한국어를 배우고 싶지만, 시간이 없어요.
I want to learn Korean, but I don't have time.
이 책은 비싸지만, 내용이 좋아요.
This book is expensive, but the content is good.
날씨는 춥지만, 햇살은 따뜻해요.
The weather is cold, but the sunshine is warm.
저는 학생이지만, 일도 해요.
I am a student, but I also work.
그녀는 키가 작지만, 운동을 잘해요.
She is short, but she is good at sports.
이 음식은 맵지만, 맛있어요.
This food is spicy, but it's delicious.
어제 피곤했지만, 영화를 봤어요.
I was tired yesterday, but I watched a movie.
저는 커피를 좋아하지만, 밤에는 안 마셔요.
I like coffee, but I don't drink it at night.
한국어를 배우는 것은 재미있지만, 때로는 어려워요.
Learning Korean is fun, but sometimes it's difficult.
Connects two contrasting ideas: 'fun' and 'difficult'.
그 영화는 평이 좋았지만, 저는 별로였어요.
That movie had good reviews, but I didn't like it much.
Contrasts general opinion with personal opinion.
날씨는 좋았지만, 바람이 많이 불어서 추웠어요.
The weather was good, but it was cold because the wind blew a lot.
Connects two conditions: 'good weather' and 'coldness due to wind'.
저는 김치를 좋아하지만, 너무 매운 것은 못 먹어요.
I like kimchi, but I can't eat very spicy ones.
Contrasts a general preference with a specific limitation.
그 식당은 비싸지만, 음식 맛은 정말 좋아요.
That restaurant is expensive, but the food tastes really good.
Connects a negative aspect ('expensive') with a positive one ('good taste').
숙제를 다 했지만, 아직 복습할 시간이 부족해요.
I finished my homework, but I still don't have enough time to review.
Contrasts task completion with insufficient time for another task.
저는 커피를 마시지 않지만, 친구는 매일 마셔요.
I don't drink coffee, but my friend drinks it every day.
Compares contrasting habits of two different people.
그는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘하지 못해요.
He is tall, but he is not good at basketball.
Contrasts a physical attribute with a lack of ability often associated with it.
이 책은 내용이 좋지만, 가격이 너무 비싸요.
This book's content is good, but the price is too expensive.
비가 오지만, 우리는 소풍을 갈 거예요.
Although it's raining, we're going on a picnic.
그는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘 못 해요.
He's tall, but he's not good at basketball.
한국어는 어렵지만, 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult, but it's fun.
피곤하지만, 오늘 할 일을 다 해야 해요.
I'm tired, but I have to finish everything I need to do today.
이 음식은 매콤하지만, 정말 맛있어요.
This food is spicy, but it's really delicious.
아직 여름이지만, 아침저녁으로는 쌀쌀해요.
It's still summer, but it's chilly in the mornings and evenings.
그녀는 말이 적지만, 생각이 깊어요.
She doesn't talk much, but she's thoughtful.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
이 식당은 비싸지만 음식이 맛있어요.
This restaurant is expensive, but the food is delicious.
저는 학생이지만 일도 해요.
I am a student, but I also work.
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult, but it's interesting.
어제 영화를 봤지만 기억이 안 나요.
I watched a movie yesterday, but I don't remember it.
지금 배고프지만 먹을 시간이 없어요.
I'm hungry now, but I don't have time to eat.
날씨가 춥지만 산책하고 싶어요.
The weather is cold, but I want to take a walk.
이 책은 얇지만 내용이 좋아요.
This book is thin, but the content is good.
그는 키가 크지만 운동을 잘 못해요.
He is tall, but he's not good at sports.
이 옷은 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요.
These clothes are pretty, but they are too expensive.
저는 잠을 잤지만 아직 피곤해요.
I slept, but I'm still tired.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While both express contrast, '~지만' presents a direct, stronger contrast, whereas '~는데/은데' often provides background information leading to a mild contrast or unexpected situation. '~지만' can often swap clauses, '~는데/은데' less so.
Both mean 'but/however', but '그러나' is a formal conjunction that starts a new sentence or independent clause, while '~지만' attaches to a verb stem within a single sentence structure.
Like '그러나', '하지만' also means 'but/however' and acts as a standalone conjunction to introduce a contrasting idea, usually at the beginning of a clause or sentence, unlike the verb-attached '~지만'.
Grammatikmuster
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"그는 똑똑하지만 노력을 안 해요."
He is smart, but he doesn't put in effort.
그는 똑똑하지만 노력을 안 해요. (Geuneun ttottokajimaon noryeogeul an haeyo.)
neutral"이 가방은 비싸지만 아주 좋아요."
This bag is expensive, but it's very good.
이 가방은 비싸지만 아주 좋아요. (I gabangeun bissajiman aju joayo.)
neutral"한국어를 배우고 있지만 아직 어려워요."
I'm learning Korean, but it's still difficult.
한국어를 배우고 있지만 아직 어려워요. (Hangugeoreul baeugo ittjiman ajik eoryeowoyo.)
neutral"어제는 비가 왔지만 오늘은 맑아요."
It rained yesterday, but it's sunny today.
어제는 비가 왔지만 오늘은 맑아요. (Eojeneun biga wattjiman oneureun malgayo.)
neutral"피곤하지만 잠을 잘 수 없어요."
I'm tired, but I can't sleep.
피곤하지만 잠을 잘 수 없어요. (Pigonejiman jameul jal su eopseoyo.)
neutral"이 식당은 작지만 음식이 맛있어요."
This restaurant is small, but the food is delicious.
이 식당은 작지만 음식이 맛있어요. (I sikdangeun jakjiman eumsigi masisseoyo.)
neutral"바쁘지만 친구를 만나러 갈 거예요."
I'm busy, but I'm going to meet my friend.
바쁘지만 친구를 만나러 갈 거예요. (Bappujiman chingureul mannareo gal geoyeyo.)
neutral"책은 재미있지만 영화는 별로였어요."
The book was interesting, but the movie wasn't that great.
책은 재미있지만 영화는 별로였어요. (Chaegun jaemiittjiman yeonghwaneun byeolloyeosseoyo.)
neutral"저는 학생이지만 아르바이트를 해요."
I'm a student, but I work part-time.
저는 학생이지만 아르바이트를 해요. (Jeoneun haksaengijiman areubaiteureul haeyo.)
neutral"그는 친절하지만 말수가 적어요."
He is kind, but he doesn't talk much.
그는 친절하지만 말수가 적어요. (Geuneun chinjeolhajiman malsuga jeogeoyo.)
neutralLeicht verwechselbar
Learners often struggle with distinguishing '~지만' from other contrasting conjunctions like '~는데/은데' and '~고'. The core difference lies in the nature of the contrast.
'~지만' directly contrasts two clauses. The first clause presents a fact or situation, and the second clause presents something contrary or different. It's a stronger 'but' than '~는데/은데'. For example, '나는 학생이지만 바빠요' (I am a student, but I'm busy) indicates a direct contrast. You can often swap the order of the clauses without changing the meaning significantly.
이 음식은 맛있지만 비싸요. (This food is delicious, but it's expensive.) 저는 한국 사람이지만 한국어를 잘 못 해요. (I am Korean, but I can't speak Korean well.)
This ending is versatile and can express contrast, background information, or expectation. Its various uses make it tricky to grasp compared to the more direct '~지만'.
While '~는데/은데' can imply contrast, it often provides background information for the following clause, or expresses a mild contrast or an unexpected result. The contrast is usually softer than with '~지만'. For example, '비가 오는데, 우산이 없어요' (It's raining, but I don't have an umbrella) implies an unexpected situation based on the first clause. You generally cannot swap the order of the clauses as easily as with '~지만' because of the background information aspect.
지금 바쁜데, 좀 도와줄 수 있어요? (I'm busy right now, but can you help me a little?) 이 영화는 재미있는데, 좀 길어요. (This movie is interesting, but it's a bit long.)
The conjunction '~고' can also connect clauses, and learners might mistakenly use it for contrast when '~지만' or '~는데/은데' would be more appropriate.
'~고' primarily connects clauses in a sequential or additive manner ('and' or 'then'). It doesn't inherently imply contrast. If you use '~고' to connect two clauses that are meant to be contrasting, it will sound unnatural or just state two separate facts without emphasizing the opposition. For example, '저는 밥을 먹고 잠을 잤어요' (I ate and then I slept) shows sequence. Using it for contrast like '저는 학생이고 바빠요' (I am a student, and I am busy) just states two facts, not necessarily a contrast.
저는 책을 읽고 음악을 들어요. (I read books and listen to music.) 그녀는 예쁘고 똑똑해요. (She is pretty and smart.)
This is a formal conjunction for 'but' or 'however', often confused with '~지만' due to its similar meaning, but used differently in sentence structure.
'그러나' is a sentence-initial or sentence-medial conjunction that connects two separate sentences or independent clauses, usually with a stronger pause or break. '~지만' attaches directly to the verb stem of the first clause. You wouldn't typically use '그러나' in the middle of a sentence without a punctuation mark (like a comma) separating the clauses. For example, '날씨가 좋아요. 그러나 바람이 많이 불어요.' (The weather is good. However, the wind is blowing a lot.)
이 식당은 분위기가 좋아요. 그러나 음식이 비싸요. (This restaurant has a good atmosphere. However, the food is expensive.) 그는 부자이다. 그러나 행복하지 않다. (He is rich. However, he is not happy.)
Similar to '그러나', '하지만' also means 'but' or 'however' and is frequently confused with '~지만' due to its similar sound and meaning.
'하지만' is also a sentence-initial or sentence-medial conjunction, functioning very similarly to '그러나' but often used in slightly less formal contexts. It connects two distinct sentences or independent clauses. Like '그러나', it does not attach directly to a verb stem. It's a standalone word that introduces a contrasting idea. For example, '열심히 공부했어요. 하지만 시험을 망쳤어요.' (I studied hard. But I failed the exam.)
그녀는 항상 웃는다. 하지만 슬플 때도 있다. (She always smiles. But there are times when she is sad.) 여행은 좋았다. 하지만 피곤했다. (The trip was good. But I was tired.)
Satzmuster
[Verb/Adjective] + ~지만
저는 학생이지만, 일해요. (I am a student, but I work.)
[Noun] + 이지만/지만
이것은 사과이지만, 맛없어요. (This is an apple, but it's not delicious.)
[Past tense verb/adjective] + ~았/었지만
어제는 바빴지만, 오늘은 안 바빠요. (Yesterday was busy, but today is not busy.)
[Future tense verb/adjective] + ~(으)ㄹ 거지만
내일은 비가 올 거지만, 저는 갈 거예요. (It will rain tomorrow, but I will go.)
[Verb/Adjective stem] + ~지만 + [second clause]
날씨가 춥지만, 밖에 나갈 거예요. (The weather is cold, but I will go outside.)
[Noun] + 이지만/지만 + [second clause]
그는 한국 사람이지만, 영어를 잘해요. (He is Korean, but he speaks English well.)
[Question] + ~지만 + [Answer/Contrasting thought]
이것은 비싸지만, 살까요? (This is expensive, but shall we buy it?)
[Statement] + ~지만 + [Polite suggestion/request]
저는 피곤하지만, 도와줄게요. (I am tired, but I will help you.)
So verwendest du es
Use ~지만 to connect two clauses where the second clause contrasts with or provides an exception to the first clause. It's often used when you want to soften a statement or introduce a different perspective.
Example:
저는 한국어를 배우고 있지만, 아직 어려워요.
(I am learning Korean, but it's still difficult.)
날씨가 춥지만, 하늘은 맑아요.
(The weather is cold, but the sky is clear.)
This conjunction can be attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns (with 이다/아니다). When attached to nouns, use ~이지만 after a consonant and ~지만 after a vowel.
A common mistake is confusing ~지만 with other contrasting conjunctions like ~는데/은데. While they both express contrast, ~지만 is more direct and strong in its opposition. ~는데/은데 often implies background information or a softer contrast, sometimes leading to an unexpected result.
Incorrect usage example (if you want strong contrast):
저는 배고픈데, 먹을 것이 없어요. (I'm hungry, and there's nothing to eat. - more like a continuation)
Correct usage:
저는 배고프지만, 먹을 것이 없어요. (I'm hungry, but there's nothing to eat. - stronger contrast)
Tipps
Basic use of ~지만
The most straightforward use of ~지만 is to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast or opposite idea to the first. Think of it like 'but' or 'although' in English.
Attaching to verbs and adjectives
You attach ~지만 directly to the stem of a verb or adjective. There are no irregular conjugations to worry about with this grammar point, which makes it easy to use!
Present tense example
Here's an example: 저는 학생이지만, 일해요. (I am a student, but I work.) Notice how 학생이다 (to be a student) becomes 학생이지만.
Past tense with ~지만
To use ~지만 in the past tense, first conjugate the verb or adjective into its past tense form (e.g., -았/었-), and then add ~지만. For example, 먹었지만 (I ate, but...).
Future tense with ~지만
For future tense, use the ~(으)ㄹ 거지만 construction. For instance, 갈 거지만 (I will go, but...). This combines the future tense ending with ~지만.
Conveys a mild contrast
~지만 often implies a milder contrast than other 'but' expressions in Korean, like ~는데/은데. It's often used when simply stating two facts that are somewhat opposite.
Can connect nouns with 이지만
When connecting nouns, you use ~이지만. For example, 사과이지만 (It's an apple, but...). If the noun ends in a consonant, use 이지만; if it ends in a vowel, use 지만.
Compare to ~는데/은데
While ~지만 simply states a contrast, ~는데/은데 can also provide background information or a reason before the main clause. They are not always interchangeable.
Common usage with 'good' and 'bad'
You'll often hear ~지만 used with adjectives like 좋지만 (it's good, but...) or 나쁘지만 (it's bad, but...) to express mixed feelings or situations.
Practice with simple sentences
To get comfortable, start by making simple sentences: 커피는 맛있지만, 너무 비싸요. (Coffee is delicious, but too expensive.) The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
Wortherkunft
Native Korean
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Indicates a contrast or concession
KoreanicKultureller Kontext
In Korean culture, direct contradiction can sometimes be seen as impolite. Using '~지만' allows for a softer way to express a contrasting idea or a polite disagreement without being overly confrontational. It's a common way to introduce a caveat or an exception.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Describing two contrasting facts or situations.
- 저는 한국어를 배우지만 아직 어려워요. (I am learning Korean, but it's still difficult.)
- 이 음식은 맛있지만 너무 매워요. (This food is delicious, but it's too spicy.)
- 날씨는 좋지만 바람이 많이 불어요. (The weather is nice, but it's very windy.)
Expressing a preference but acknowledging a drawback.
- 커피를 마시고 싶지만 잠이 안 올까 봐 걱정돼요. (I want to drink coffee, but I'm worried I won't be able to sleep.)
- 여행 가고 싶지만 돈이 없어요. (I want to travel, but I don't have money.)
- 이 옷이 예쁘지만 너무 비싸요. (These clothes are pretty, but they're too expensive.)
Comparing two items or ideas.
- 사과도 좋지만 배가 더 맛있어요. (Apples are good too, but pears are tastier.)
- 이 식당도 괜찮지만 옆 식당이 더 좋아요. (This restaurant is okay, but the one next door is better.)
- 수영은 잘하지만 달리기는 못 해요. (I'm good at swimming, but I'm not good at running.)
Making a polite suggestion or a soft refusal.
- 같이 가고 싶지만 오늘은 바빠요. (I want to go together, but I'm busy today.)
- 도와드리고 싶지만 제가 할 수 있는 게 없어요. (I want to help you, but there's nothing I can do.)
- 이 영화가 재미있지만 저는 다른 영화를 보고 싶어요. (This movie is interesting, but I want to watch a different movie.)
Indicating a difference in opinion or perspective.
- 저는 그렇게 생각하지만 다른 사람들은 다르게 생각해요. (I think so, but other people think differently.)
- 저는 동의하지만 완전히 동의하는 건 아니에요. (I agree, but I don't completely agree.)
- 이것은 중요한 문제지만 너무 복잡해요. (This is an important issue, but it's too complicated.)
Gesprächseinstiege
"어떤 종류의 음악을 좋아하세요? 저는 팝 음악을 좋아하지만 가끔 클래식도 들어요."
"어떤 음식을 가장 좋아하세요? 저는 한국 음식을 좋아하지만 매운 건 잘 못 먹어요."
"주말에 보통 뭐 하세요? 저는 쉬는 것을 좋아하지만 가끔은 활동적인 것도 해요."
"어디에 여행 가보고 싶으세요? 저는 유럽에 가고 싶지만 비행기 표가 너무 비싸요."
"공부하는 게 어려울 때 어떻게 극복하세요? 저는 힘들지만 포기하지 않으려고 노력해요."
Tagebuch-Impulse
오늘 하루 어땠나요? 좋았던 점과 아쉬웠던 점을 '~지만'을 사용해서 써보세요.
내가 좋아하는 것과 싫어하는 것을 각각 하나씩 쓰고, 왜 그런지 '~지만'을 사용해서 설명해보세요.
내가 이루고 싶은 목표가 있다면 무엇인가요? 그것을 이루기 위해 어떤 노력을 해야 하지만 어떤 어려움이 예상되나요?
최근에 본 영화나 책에 대해 써보세요. 어떤 점이 좋았지만 어떤 점이 아쉬웠나요?
만약 내가 다른 나라에서 살 수 있다면 어디에서 살고 싶지만 어떤 점이 걱정될까요?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen~지만 is a conjunction that means 'but' or 'although'. It's used to connect two clauses that contrast with each other. Think of it as introducing a caveat or a different perspective to the first part of your sentence. It's really useful for showing complexity in your thoughts.
Great question! ~지만 always attaches to the end of the *first* verb or adjective in the sentence. It acts as a bridge between that first idea and the contrasting idea that follows. It never stands alone at the beginning of a sentence.
Absolutely. Here's a common one:
날씨가 좋지만 춥다.
(The weather is good, but it's cold.)
See how '좋지만' (good, but) connects to '춥다' (it's cold)?
This is a common point of confusion. ~지만 connects two clauses within a single sentence, often indicating a slightly softer contrast. 그러나 (geureona) means 'however' or 'but' and typically starts a new sentence, introducing a stronger or more formal contrast. Think of ~지만 as a conjunction, and 그러나 as a sentence-initial adverb.
Yes, you can! When used with nouns, you attach it to the form '이지만' or '지만' depending on whether the noun ends in a consonant or a vowel.
학생이지만 공부 안 해요.
(I'm a student, but I don't study.)
Here, '학생이지만' attaches to the noun '학생' (student).
~지만 is quite versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's a very neutral and common conjunction. You'll hear it in everyday conversations and see it in written materials.
Yes, definitely. You attach ~지만 directly to the stem of the verb.
밥을 먹지만 배고파요.
(I ate, but I'm still hungry.)
Here, '먹지만' (eat, but) connects to '배고파요' (hungry).
The tense is typically applied to the verb or adjective *before* ~지만. So, if the first clause is past tense, you'd conjugate it for past tense before adding ~지만.
어제 영화를 봤지만 재미없었어요.
(I watched the movie yesterday, but it wasn't fun.)
'봤지만' shows the past tense.
While there's no strict rule about length, it's generally best to keep the clauses connected by ~지만 relatively concise for clarity. If your first clause gets too long and complex, you might consider breaking it into two separate sentences and using a stronger conjunction like 그러나 (geureona) or 그런데 (geureonde) for better flow.
One common mistake is trying to use ~지만 to connect ideas that aren't truly contrasting. Remember, it's about showing a 'but' or 'although' relationship. Another is forgetting to attach it to the verb/adjective stem or noun correctly. Practice with examples and you'll get the hang of it!
Teste dich selbst 174 Fragen
저는 한국어를 좋아해요, ___ 어려워요.
The sentence expresses a contrast between liking Korean and finding it difficult, so '하지만' (but) is the most appropriate connector.
날씨가 좋아요, ___ 조금 추워요.
The weather is good, but it's a bit cold. '하지만' (but) connects these two contrasting ideas.
이 식당은 비싸요, ___ 음식이 맛있어요.
The restaurant is expensive, but the food is delicious. '하지만' (but) introduces the contrasting positive point.
저는 학생이에요, ___ 제 친구는 선생님이에요.
The sentence contrasts the speaker's status as a student with their friend's status as a teacher. '하지만' (but) is used for this contrast.
저는 사과를 싫어해요, ___ 오렌지는 좋아해요.
This sentence contrasts disliking apples with liking oranges. '하지만' (but) connects these opposite preferences.
이 책은 어려워요, ___ 읽고 싶어요.
The book is difficult, but the speaker still wants to read it. '하지만' (but) expresses this contrasting desire.
Choose the best Korean word to complete the sentence: 이 음식은 맛있어요, ___ 비싸요. (This food is delicious, ___ expensive.)
하지만 (hajiman) means 'but' and is used to connect contrasting clauses.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses ~지만?
~지만 connects two contrasting ideas within a single sentence.
Complete the sentence with the appropriate ending: 날씨가 좋아요, ___ 저는 집에 있어요. (The weather is good, ___ I am at home.)
지만 (jiman) is used to express a contrast: the weather is good, but I am at home.
The sentence '저는 한국어를 좋아하지만, 어렵습니다.' (I like Korean, but it is difficult.) correctly uses ~지만.
~지만 (jiman) is correctly used here to connect the contrasting ideas of liking Korean and finding it difficult.
You can use ~지만 to connect two sentences that have similar meanings.
~지만 is used to connect contrasting ideas, not similar ones.
The phrase '이 책은 재미있지만, 너무 길어요.' (This book is interesting, but too long.) is a correct usage of ~지만.
This sentence correctly uses ~지만 to express a contrast between the book being interesting and its length.
This is small, but good.
I am a student, but busy.
It's expensive, but I want to buy it.
Read this aloud:
저는 한국어를 배우지만 어렵습니다.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
날씨는 춥지만 괜찮아요.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
이 책은 작지만 재미있어요.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Combine the two sentences using '~지만': '저는 학생입니다.' (I am a student.) '저는 영어를 공부합니다.' (I study English.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 학생이지만 영어를 공부합니다.
Combine the two sentences using '~지만': '이 책은 비쌉니다.' (This book is expensive.) '이 책은 재미있습니다.' (This book is interesting.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이 책은 비싸지만 재미있습니다.
Combine the two sentences using '~지만': '저는 한국어를 모릅니다.' (I don't know Korean.) '저는 한국에 가고 싶습니다.' (I want to go to Korea.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 한국어를 모르지만 한국에 가고 싶습니다.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Read this passage:
저는 학생이지만 선생님입니다. 이것은 재미있지만 어렵습니다. 그 남자는 키가 크지만 말랐습니다.
What is the main idea of the passage?
The passage uses '~지만' to connect contrasting ideas, like being a student but also a teacher, or something being interesting but difficult.
The passage uses '~지만' to connect contrasting ideas, like being a student but also a teacher, or something being interesting but difficult.
Which sentence shows someone is okay despite cold weather?
Read this passage:
이 음식은 맛있지만 맵습니다. 저는 배고프지만 먹지 않을 것입니다. 날씨가 춥지만 저는 괜찮습니다.
Which sentence shows someone is okay despite cold weather?
The sentence '날씨가 춥지만 저는 괜찮습니다.' directly translates to 'The weather is cold but I am okay.'
The sentence '날씨가 춥지만 저는 괜찮습니다.' directly translates to 'The weather is cold but I am okay.'
What is the woman like in the first sentence?
Read this passage:
그 여자는 예쁘지만 친절하지 않습니다. 이 옷은 예쁘지만 너무 비쌉니다. 저는 피곤하지만 자고 싶지 않습니다.
What is the woman like in the first sentence?
The sentence '그 여자는 예쁘지만 친절하지 않습니다.' means 'That woman is pretty but not kind.'
The sentence '그 여자는 예쁘지만 친절하지 않습니다.' means 'That woman is pretty but not kind.'
This sentence means 'I am a student, but I work.' The conjunction '~지만' connects the two contrasting clauses.
This sentence means 'The weather is cold, but the sky is clear.' '~지만' connects '날씨가 춥다' (the weather is cold) and '하늘은 맑다' (the sky is clear).
This sentence means 'This food is expensive, but delicious.' The contrast is between 'expensive' and 'delicious'.
저는 한국어를 좋아해요. ___ 어려워요. (I like Korean. ___ it's difficult.)
To connect two contrasting ideas, '하지만' (but) is the most natural fit here. '그래서' means 'so', '그러나' is a more formal 'but', and '그리고' means 'and'.
이 식당은 음식이 맛있어요. ___ 좀 비싸요. (This restaurant's food is delicious. ___ it's a bit expensive.)
The sentence presents two contrasting ideas: delicious food and high price. '하지만' (but) correctly links these.
날씨가 좋아요. ___ 바람이 많이 불어요. (The weather is good. ___ the wind is blowing a lot.)
Here, '좋아요' (good) and '바람이 많이 불어요' (wind is blowing a lot) are contrasting ideas, so '하지만' (but) is the correct connector.
이 영화는 재미있어요. ___ 너무 길어요. (This movie is interesting. ___ it's too long.)
'재미있어요' (interesting) and '너무 길어요' (too long) are contrasting points about the movie. '하지만' effectively connects them.
그 사람은 키가 커요. ___ 말랐어요. (That person is tall. ___ thin.)
Being '키가 커요' (tall) and '말랐어요' (thin) can be seen as contrasting descriptors when describing someone's build. '하지만' is suitable.
저는 피곤해요. ___ 공부해야 해요. (I'm tired. ___ I have to study.)
The feeling of being '피곤해요' (tired) contrasts with the obligation to '공부해야 해요' (study). '하지만' shows this contrast.
Choose the best Korean word to complete the sentence: '저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요, ___ 어려워요.' (I want to learn Korean, ___ it's difficult.)
'하지만' means 'but' and fits the contrasting idea that learning Korean is difficult despite wanting to learn it. '~지만' is a grammatical way to say 'but' inside a sentence.
Which sentence correctly uses '~지만' to express a contrast?
All options correctly use '~지만' to connect two contrasting clauses.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate ending: '저는 키가 크___, 제 동생은 작아요.' (I am tall, but my younger sibling is short.)
The sentence shows a contrast in height between two people, so '~지만' (but) is the correct connector.
The sentence '저는 커피를 좋아하지만, 오늘은 차를 마셨어요.' means 'I like coffee, but today I drank tea.'
'~지만' connects the liking of coffee with the action of drinking tea today, expressing a contrast. Therefore, the translation is correct.
You can use '~지만' to connect two clauses that have similar meanings.
'~지만' is used to connect two clauses that have contrasting or opposing meanings, not similar ones.
In the sentence '이 영화는 재미있지만, 너무 길어요.' (This movie is interesting, but too long.), '재미있지만' expresses that the movie is long despite being interesting.
The suffix '~지만' indicates a contrast: the movie is interesting, but it also has the negative aspect of being too long.
What is the speaker's job?
What is the speaker saying about the item?
What is the speaker's difficulty with Korean?
Read this aloud:
저는 피곤하지만, 숙제를 해야 해요.
Focus: 지만
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Read this aloud:
이 식당은 작지만, 음식이 맛있어요.
Focus: 작지만
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Read this aloud:
날씨는 춥지만, 우리는 산책했어요.
Focus: 춥지만
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Write a sentence in Korean using '~지만' to express a contrast. For example, 'The weather is good, but it's a bit cold.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
날씨가 좋지만, 조금 추워요.
Complete the sentence using '~지만' and your own words: '저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요, ___.' (I want to learn Korean, but...)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요, 어렵지만 재미있어요. (I want to learn Korean, but it's difficult but fun.)
Describe two contrasting things about your favorite food using '~지만'. For example, 'It's delicious, but it's expensive.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
제일 좋아하는 음식은 떡볶이예요. 맵지만 아주 맛있어요. (My favorite food is Tteokbokki. It's spicy, but it's very delicious.)
What was the speaker's feeling about the movie?
Read this passage:
저는 어제 영화를 봤어요. 영화는 재미있었지만, 조금 길었어요. 그래서 좀 피곤했어요.
What was the speaker's feeling about the movie?
The passage says '영화는 재미있었지만, 조금 길었어요' which means 'The movie was interesting, but a bit long.'
The passage says '영화는 재미있었지만, 조금 길었어요' which means 'The movie was interesting, but a bit long.'
What is true about Minsu?
Read this passage:
민수 씨는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘 못 해요. 운동을 좋아하지만, 농구는 어려워해요.
What is true about Minsu?
The passage states '민수 씨는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘 못 해요' meaning 'Minsu is tall, but doesn't play basketball well.'
The passage states '민수 씨는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘 못 해요' meaning 'Minsu is tall, but doesn't play basketball well.'
What is the weather like today?
Read this passage:
오늘 날씨는 맑지만, 바람이 많이 불어요. 따뜻하게 입고 나가는 것이 좋아요.
What is the weather like today?
The passage says '오늘 날씨는 맑지만, 바람이 많이 불어요' which means 'Today's weather is clear, but the wind is blowing a lot.'
The passage says '오늘 날씨는 맑지만, 바람이 많이 불어요' which means 'Today's weather is clear, but the wind is blowing a lot.'
This sentence means 'I am a student, but I teach like a teacher.' The conjunction '~지만' connects the two contrasting clauses.
This sentence means 'This food is delicious, but it's too spicy.' '~지만' connects 'delicious' and 'too spicy' to show a contrast.
This sentence means 'The weather is good, but I don't want to go outside.' The conjunction '~지만' highlights the contrast between the good weather and the speaker's desire.
저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요, ___ 아직 어려워요.
'그렇지만' is the most natural fit here to express 'but' or 'however' when connecting two contrasting clauses. '그러나' is also possible but '그렇지만' is more common in spoken Korean. '그래서' means 'so' and '그리고' means 'and'.
날씨가 좋았어요, ___ 집에 있었어요.
'하지만' means 'but' or 'however' and is used to connect two contrasting ideas. The weather was good, but I stayed home. '그래서' means 'so', '그리고' means 'and', and '또는' means 'or'.
그 영화는 재미있었어요, ___ 좀 길었어요.
'그러나' is a formal way to say 'but' or 'however', connecting the positive aspect (interesting) with a negative one (long). '게다가' means 'in addition', '그러므로' means 'therefore', and '그럼에도 불구하고' means 'nevertheless' or 'despite that', which is a bit too strong for this context.
이 식당은 비싸요, ___ 음식은 정말 맛있어요.
'하지만' is the correct choice to express contrast between the restaurant being expensive and the food being delicious. '그래서' means 'so', '그리고' means 'and', and '즉' means 'in other words'.
그는 열심히 공부했어요, ___ 시험에 떨어졌어요.
'그러나' is suitable here to show a contrasting outcome (failing the exam) despite the effort (studying hard). '그러니까' means 'so' or 'therefore', '게다가' means 'in addition', and '따라서' means 'therefore'.
저는 커피를 좋아해요, ___ 밤에는 잘 안 마셔요.
'그렇지만' is a good choice to express the contrast: I like coffee, but I don't drink it much at night. '그리고' means 'and', '그래서' means 'so', and '또는' means 'or'.
저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요. ___ 너무 어려워요.
The sentence expresses a contrast: 'I want to learn Korean, BUT it's too difficult.' '하지만' (hajiman) fits this contrasting meaning best, similar to 'but'. '그리고' means 'and', '그래서' means 'so/therefore', and '그러나' also means 'but', but '하지만' is generally more common in spoken and informal contexts for this type of contrast.
날씨가 좋았어요. ___ 우리는 집에 있었어요.
The first clause states 'The weather was good,' and the second clause states 'we stayed home.' These two ideas are in contrast, making '그러나' (geureona) – 'however/but' – the appropriate connector. '그래서' means 'so/therefore', '그리고' means 'and', and '또한' means 'also/in addition'.
이 식당은 비싸요. ___ 음식이 정말 맛있어요.
The sentence presents a contrast: 'This restaurant is expensive, BUT the food is really delicious.' '그러나' (geureona) means 'but/however' and correctly connects these two contrasting ideas. '그래서' means 'so/therefore', '그리고' means 'and', and '아니면' means 'or'.
저는 커피를 마시고 싶지만, 지금은 마실 수 없어요. (I want to drink coffee, but I can't drink it now.)
The sentence correctly uses '~지만' to express a contrast: 'I want to drink coffee' vs. 'I can't drink it now.'
이 옷은 예쁘지만, 너무 커요. (This dress is pretty, so it's too big.)
The translation 'so it's too big' does not match the meaning of '~지만', which expresses 'but' or 'although'. The correct translation would be 'This dress is pretty, but it's too big.'
저는 피곤하지만, 공부해야 해요. (I am tired, but I have to study.)
The sentence correctly uses '~지만' to show a contrast between being tired and having to study.
The speaker is a student, but also works.
Korean is difficult but fun.
It's raining, but they are going to the park.
Read this aloud:
저는 배고프지만 먹을 게 없어요.
Focus: 지만 (jiman)
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Read this aloud:
이 영화는 길지만 아주 흥미로워요.
Focus: 지만 (jiman)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
피곤하지만 숙제를 해야 해요.
Focus: 지만 (jiman)
Du hast gesagt:
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Write two sentences using '~지만'. In the first, describe something you like but has a drawback. In the second, describe two things that are different about your daily routine on weekdays versus weekends.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 커피를 좋아하지만, 너무 많이 마시면 잠이 안 와요. 주중에는 일찍 일어나지만, 주말에는 늦게 일어나요.
You are planning a trip. Write two sentences describing two different places you are considering. Use '~지만' to highlight a positive aspect and a contrasting negative aspect for each place.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
파리는 아름답지만, 물가가 비싸요. 제주도는 조용하지만, 비행기 표가 비쌀 수 있어요.
Write two sentences about a movie or book you recently experienced. Use '~지만' to express a contrast between your initial expectations and the actual experience, or between two different aspects of the story.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
그 영화는 광고는 재미있어 보였지만, 내용은 조금 지루했어요. 주인공은 강했지만, 마음은 여렸어요.
이 글의 화자가 생각하는 한국어 학습의 가장 어려운 점은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
저는 한국어를 배우고 있습니다. 한국어는 재미있지만, 문법이 어렵습니다. 하지만 매일 꾸준히 공부하면 실력이 늘 것이라고 생각합니다. 드라마를 보면서 단어를 외우고, 친구들과 대화하면서 연습합니다.
이 글의 화자가 생각하는 한국어 학습의 가장 어려운 점은 무엇인가요?
글에서 '한국어는 재미있지만, 문법이 어렵습니다'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
글에서 '한국어는 재미있지만, 문법이 어렵습니다'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
이 글에서 서울의 단점으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
서울은 크고 편리한 도시입니다. 지하철도 잘 되어 있어서 어디든지 쉽게 갈 수 있습니다. 하지만 사람이 너무 많아서 출퇴근 시간에는 항상 복잡합니다. 공기도 좋지 않아서 마스크를 쓰는 사람들도 많습니다.
이 글에서 서울의 단점으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
글에는 교통 체증(복잡합니다), 대기 오염(공기도 좋지 않아서), 많은 인구(사람이 너무 많아서)가 언급되었지만, 물가는 언급되지 않았습니다.
글에는 교통 체증(복잡합니다), 대기 오염(공기도 좋지 않아서), 많은 인구(사람이 너무 많아서)가 언급되었지만, 물가는 언급되지 않았습니다.
이 사람은 어제 저녁 식사에 대해 어떻게 생각했나요?
Read this passage:
저는 어제 친구와 영화를 보러 갔습니다. 영화는 슬펐지만, 감동적이었어요. 영화가 끝나고 친구와 저녁을 먹었는데, 음식은 맛있었지만, 가격이 너무 비쌌습니다. 그래도 친구와 즐거운 시간을 보냈습니다.
이 사람은 어제 저녁 식사에 대해 어떻게 생각했나요?
글에서 '음식은 맛있었지만, 가격이 너무 비쌌습니다'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
글에서 '음식은 맛있었지만, 가격이 너무 비쌌습니다'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
The correct order is '저는 영화는 좋아하지만, 책을 읽는 것을 더 좋아해요.' This means 'I like movies, but I prefer reading books.'
The correct order is '이 옷은 예쁘지만, 너무 작아서 입을 수 없어요.' This translates to 'These clothes are pretty, but they're too small to wear.'
The correct order is '저는 한국에 살지만, 아직 한국어가 유창하지 않아요.' This means 'I live in Korea, but my Korean isn't fluent yet.'
저는 이 영화를 보고 싶어요, ___ 피곤해서 잠들 것 같아요.
The sentence expresses a contrast: wanting to watch the movie versus being too tired to stay awake. '하지만' (but) is the appropriate conjunction here.
그는 한국어를 잘해요, ___ 아직 유창하지는 않아요.
The sentence presents a contrasting idea: he is good at Korean, but not yet fluent. '그러나' (but, however) fits the context.
이 일은 어렵습니다, ___ 보람 있을 거예요.
The sentence contrasts the difficulty of the work with its potential for reward. '하지만' (but) is the correct choice to show this contrast.
그녀는 바쁘지만, ___ 항상 웃어요.
The sentence contrasts her being busy with her always smiling. '그러나' (but, however) is suitable for this contrasting idea.
날씨가 좋았지만, ___ 바람이 많이 불었어요.
The sentence contrasts good weather with strong winds. '그러나' (but, however) effectively connects these two opposing ideas.
이 책은 재미있지만, ___ 내용이 좀 어려워요.
The sentence contrasts the book being interesting with its content being difficult. '하지만' (but) is the best choice to show this opposition.
저는 그 영화를 보고 싶었지만, 시간이 없어서 못 봤어요.
The '지만' conjunction indicates a contrast: wanting to see the movie versus not being able to due to lack of time.
그는 키가 크지만, 농구를 잘 못 해요.
'지만' connects two contrasting ideas: being tall and not being good at basketball.
날씨가 춥지만, 우리는 밖에 나갔어요.
'지만' indicates that despite the cold weather, the action of going outside still occurred.
이 음식은 비싸지만, 맛은 없어요. (This food is expensive, but it's not delicious.) The sentence implies that expensive food is usually delicious.
The use of '지만' (but) suggests a contrast between the expectation (expensive food should be delicious) and the reality (it's not delicious).
그녀는 공부를 열심히 했지만, 시험에 떨어졌어요. (She studied hard, but she failed the exam.) This sentence means that she did not study hard.
The sentence clearly states '공부를 열심히 했지만' (she studied hard), and '지만' introduces the contrasting outcome of failing.
저는 한국어를 배우고 싶지만, 너무 어려워요. (I want to learn Korean, but it's too difficult.) This sentence indicates that the speaker has no desire to learn Korean.
The sentence explicitly says '한국어를 배우고 싶지만' (I want to learn Korean), so the desire is present, despite the difficulty.
What does the speaker say about their friend and spicy food?
What are the two contrasting points about the book?
Despite the rain, what are 'we' going to do?
Read this aloud:
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
피곤하지만 숙제를 해야 해요.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
이 옷은 예쁘지만 저한테는 좀 작아요.
Focus: 지만 (ji-man)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are planning a trip with a friend. Write a short message (2-3 sentences) to your friend expressing your excitement but also mentioning one small concern you have about the trip. Use '~지만'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이번 여행 정말 기대돼요. 하지만 날씨가 좀 걱정돼요.
Write a 3-sentence email to a colleague. You want to offer help with a project, but you also have another important task you need to finish by the end of the day. Use '~지만'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
프로젝트를 도와드리고 싶어요. 하지만 오늘까지 끝내야 할 다른 일이 있어요. 그래도 제가 할 수 있는 부분이 있다면 알려주세요.
Describe a new restaurant you visited. Mention something you liked about it, but also something you didn't particularly enjoy (e.g., the service, the price, the atmosphere). Use '~지만'. (2-3 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
새로운 식당의 음식은 맛있었지만, 서비스는 좀 느렸어요. 그래도 분위기는 좋았어요.
무엇이 영화에 집중하는 것을 어렵게 만들었습니까?
Read this passage:
저는 어제 친구와 영화를 봤습니다. 영화는 재미있었지만, 극장이 너무 시끄러웠습니다. 그래서 영화에 집중하기 어려웠어요. 다음에는 더 조용한 극장에 가고 싶어요.
무엇이 영화에 집중하는 것을 어렵게 만들었습니까?
The passage states '극장이 너무 시끄러웠습니다. 그래서 영화에 집중하기 어려웠어요.' (The theater was too loud. So it was difficult to concentrate on the movie.)
The passage states '극장이 너무 시끄러웠습니다. 그래서 영화에 집중하기 어려웠어요.' (The theater was too loud. So it was difficult to concentrate on the movie.)
이 글에 따르면, 학생들이 김 선생님을 어렵게 느끼는 이유는 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
김 선생님은 항상 친절하시지만, 가끔 너무 엄격해서 학생들이 어려워합니다. 하지만 학생들은 선생님을 존경합니다. 선생님의 가르침 덕분에 많은 것을 배우고 있습니다.
이 글에 따르면, 학생들이 김 선생님을 어렵게 느끼는 이유는 무엇입니까?
The passage says '가끔 너무 엄격해서 학생들이 어려워합니다.' (Sometimes he is too strict, so students find it difficult.)
The passage says '가끔 너무 엄격해서 학생들이 어려워합니다.' (Sometimes he is too strict, so students find it difficult.)
화자는 늦잠을 자더라도 어떻게 하려고 노력합니까?
Read this passage:
저는 아침에 일찍 일어나는 것을 좋아하지만, 가끔 너무 피곤해서 늦잠을 잘 때가 있습니다. 하지만 늦잠을 자도 하루를 활기차게 시작하려고 노력합니다. 건강을 위해 규칙적인 생활 습관을 유지하는 것이 중요하다고 생각합니다.
화자는 늦잠을 자더라도 어떻게 하려고 노력합니까?
The passage states '늦잠을 자도 하루를 활기차게 시작하려고 노력합니다.' (Even if I oversleep, I try to start the day energetically.)
The passage states '늦잠을 자도 하루를 활기차게 시작하려고 노력합니다.' (Even if I oversleep, I try to start the day energetically.)
The correct order is '이 옷은 비싸지만 예뻐요.' meaning 'This clothing is expensive, but pretty.'
The correct order is '그 영화는 재미있지만 슬퍼요.' meaning 'That movie is interesting, but sad.'
The correct order is '한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.' meaning 'Korean is difficult, but interesting.'
그는 열심히 공부했다, ___ 시험에 떨어졌다.
문장은 '열심히 공부했다'와 '시험에 떨어졌다'는 대조적인 내용을 연결해야 하므로 '하지만'이 적절합니다.
날씨는 추웠지만, ___ 마음은 따뜻했다.
'날씨는 추웠지만' 다음에는 주어와 서술어가 와야 하므로 '나의 마음은 따뜻했다'가 자연스럽습니다.
계획은 완벽했지만, ___ 예상치 못한 변수가 발생했다.
'계획은 완벽했지만'과 대조되는 내용이 와야 하므로 '불행히도'가 문맥상 적절합니다.
그녀는 피곤했지만, ___ 끝까지 웃음을 잃지 않았다.
'피곤했지만'이라는 상황에도 불구하고 웃음을 잃지 않았다는 의미를 강조하기 위해 '그럼에도 불구하고'가 가장 적절합니다.
음식은 맛있었지만, ___ 가격은 매우 비쌌다.
'맛있었다'와 '가격은 비쌌다'는 대조적인 내용을 연결해야 하므로 '그러나'가 가장 자연스럽습니다.
그는 약속 시간에 늦었지만, ___ 미리 연락을 했다.
'늦었지만' 뒤에 '미리 연락을 했다'는 대조적이면서도 긍정적인 측면을 보여주므로 '하지만'이 적절합니다.
다음 문장 중 '~지만'의 사용이 적절한 것은?
'~지만'은 앞 절의 내용과 대조되거나 상반되는 내용을 연결할 때 사용합니다. 비가 오는 상황과 우산을 가져가지 않은 행동은 대조됩니다.
빈칸에 들어갈 가장 적절한 표현은? '그는 부자___ 마음이 따뜻하다.'
'~지만'은 앞 절의 내용과 뒷 절의 내용이 대조될 때 사용하며, 여기서는 '부자'라는 사실과 '마음이 따뜻하다'는 사실이 대조됩니다.
다음 문장 중 '나는 그를 좋아하지만 그의 행동은 이해할 수 없다.'와 가장 유사한 의미를 가진 것은?
'~지만'은 두 개의 대조적인 사실을 연결할 때 사용되며, 좋아한다는 감정과 행동에 대한 이해는 별개의 영역에서 대조됩니다.
'나는 매일 운동하지만 건강이 더 나빠졌다.'는 문장은 자연스럽다.
운동하는 것과 건강이 나빠지는 것은 서로 상반되는 내용이므로 '~지만'을 사용하여 자연스럽게 연결할 수 있습니다.
'~지만'은 이유를 설명할 때도 사용될 수 있다.
'~지만'은 대조나 상반되는 내용을 연결할 때 사용하며, 이유를 설명할 때는 주로 '~때문에', '~아서/어서' 등을 사용합니다.
'그는 한국어를 잘하지만 영어도 잘한다.'라는 문장에서 '~지만'은 앞 절의 내용과 뒷 절의 내용이 모두 긍정적일 때도 사용될 수 있다.
'~지만'은 앞 절의 내용과 뒷 절의 내용이 대조될 때 사용되지만, 두 내용이 모두 긍정적이더라도 하나의 문장에서 두 가지 상이한 정보를 동시에 제시할 때 사용될 수 있습니다. 여기서는 한국어를 잘한다는 것과 영어도 잘한다는 것이 대조적인 정보로 제시됩니다.
She was poor, but her heart was rich.
No matter how hard it is, I won't give up.
The weather was cold, but my heart was warm.
Read this aloud:
계획은 완벽하지만, 실행이 문제예요.
Focus: 실행이
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Read this aloud:
피곤하지만, 오늘 할 일을 마쳐야 해요.
Focus: 마쳐야 해요
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Read this aloud:
영화를 좋아하지만, 시간이 없어서 못 봐요.
Focus: 못 봐요
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You are discussing a complex social issue in Korea, like the aging population or the competitive education system. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) expressing a nuanced opinion, using '~지만' to introduce a contrasting or qualifying point. For example, you might say something is generally true, but there are exceptions or different perspectives.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
한국의 고령화 문제는 심각하지만, 젊은 세대의 창의적인 해결책이 많이 나오고 있습니다. 정부의 지원도 중요하지만, 사회 전체의 인식 변화가 더 필요하다고 생각합니다. 교육 제도가 경쟁적이지만, 이는 학생들의 학업 성취도를 높이는 긍정적인 면도 있습니다.
You are writing a review for a new Korean movie or drama. Describe one aspect of the movie/drama that you generally liked, but then use '~지만' to introduce a minor criticism or a point where it could have been better. Make sure your criticism is specific.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이 영화는 배우들의 연기가 정말 훌륭했지만, 스토리 전개가 다소 예측 가능하다는 점은 아쉬웠습니다. 영상미가 뛰어나지만, 일부 장면의 편집은 몰입을 방해하는 느낌이 들었습니다. 전반적으로 좋았지만, 결말이 조금 더 설득력 있었으면 하는 바람입니다.
Imagine you are giving advice to a friend who is planning to move to Korea. Discuss one positive aspect of living in Korea, but then use '~지만' to add a practical challenge or a less convenient side that they should be aware of.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
한국은 대중교통이 매우 편리하지만, 출퇴근 시간에는 엄청나게 붐빕니다. 음식은 맛있고 다양하지만, 외식 비용이 생각보다 많이 들 수 있습니다. 치안이 좋지만, 밤늦게 혼자 다니는 것은 조심하는 것이 좋습니다.
위 글의 내용으로 미루어 볼 때, 스마트폰 사용과 관련하여 전문가들이 궁극적으로 우려하는 바는 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 스마트폰 사용은 우리의 일상생활을 편리하게 하지만, 과도한 사용은 수면의 질을 저하시킬 수 있다고 합니다. 특히 잠들기 전 스마트폰 사용은 뇌를 자극하여 숙면을 방해하는 것으로 나타났습니다. 전문가들은 잠자리에 들기 최소 한 시간 전에는 스마트폰을 멀리할 것을 권장하지만, 많은 사람들이 이를 실천하기 어렵다고 토로합니다.
위 글의 내용으로 미루어 볼 때, 스마트폰 사용과 관련하여 전문가들이 궁극적으로 우려하는 바는 무엇입니까?
지문에서 '과도한 사용은 수면의 질을 저하시킬 수 있다'와 '잠들기 전 스마트폰 사용은 뇌를 자극하여 숙면을 방해하는 것으로 나타났다'는 문장을 통해 스마트폰이 수면의 질에 부정적인 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있습니다. 전문가들의 권장 사항도 이를 방지하기 위한 것입니다.
지문에서 '과도한 사용은 수면의 질을 저하시킬 수 있다'와 '잠들기 전 스마트폰 사용은 뇌를 자극하여 숙면을 방해하는 것으로 나타났다'는 문장을 통해 스마트폰이 수면의 질에 부정적인 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있습니다. 전문가들의 권장 사항도 이를 방지하기 위한 것입니다.
이 글에서 한국 경제가 현재 직면한 가장 큰 도전 과제 중 하나로 언급된 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
한국의 경제는 지난 수십 년간 놀라운 성장을 이루었지만, 최근에는 저성장 기조와 양극화 심화라는 도전에 직면해 있습니다. 정부는 이러한 문제들을 해결하기 위해 다양한 정책을 추진하고 있지만, 가시적인 성과를 내기까지는 시간이 걸릴 것으로 예상됩니다. 특히 청년 실업률 증가는 사회 전반에 걸쳐 큰 우려를 낳고 있지만, 효과적인 해결책을 찾기 쉽지 않은 상황입니다.
이 글에서 한국 경제가 현재 직면한 가장 큰 도전 과제 중 하나로 언급된 것은 무엇입니까?
지문에 '최근에는 저성장 기조와 양극화 심화라는 도전에 직면해 있습니다'라고 명시되어 있습니다.
지문에 '최근에는 저성장 기조와 양극화 심화라는 도전에 직면해 있습니다'라고 명시되어 있습니다.
이 글에서 전통적인 교육 방식의 주된 한계점으로 지적된 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
전통적인 교육 방식은 학생들에게 기본적인 지식을 전달하는 데 효과적이지만, 창의적 사고와 문제 해결 능력을 키우는 데는 한계가 있다는 지적이 많습니다. 이러한 한계를 극복하기 위해 많은 학교들이 프로젝트 기반 학습이나 토론식 수업을 도입하고 있지만, 여전히 주입식 교육의 틀에서 완전히 벗어나지 못하는 경우가 많습니다. 물론 전통적인 교육 방식의 장점도 분명히 있지만, 미래 사회에 필요한 역량을 길러주기 위해서는 변화가 불가피하다는 것이 전문가들의 공통된 의견입니다.
이 글에서 전통적인 교육 방식의 주된 한계점으로 지적된 것은 무엇입니까?
지문에 '창의적 사고와 문제 해결 능력을 키우는 데는 한계가 있다는 지적이 많습니다'라고 언급되어 있습니다.
지문에 '창의적 사고와 문제 해결 능력을 키우는 데는 한계가 있다는 지적이 많습니다'라고 언급되어 있습니다.
그는 열심히 공부했지만, 시험에서 좋은 성적을 받지 못했다. 그의 노력___ 불구하고 결과는 실망스러웠다.
The context implies 'despite' or 'even though,' which is best expressed by '에도 불구하고' (despite/in spite of). The sentence describes a contrast between effort and outcome, fitting the theme of '~지만' at a C2 level.
정부는 경제 성장을 위해 많은 정책을 시도했지만, 실업률은 ___ 상승하고 있다.
'여전히' (still, yet) best fits the context of contrasting the government's efforts with the continuing rise in unemployment, highlighting a persistent negative outcome despite attempts to change it.
그녀는 항상 긍정적인 태도를 유지했지만, 내면으로는 심한 불안감에 ___ 있었다.
'시달리고 있었다' (was suffering from) accurately portrays the hidden internal struggle despite an outwardly positive demeanor, creating a strong contrast.
이번 프로젝트는 예산이 부족했지만, 우리는 ___ 창의적인 방법으로 문제를 해결했다.
'어떻게든' (somehow, one way or another) emphasizes that despite the budget constraint, a solution was found, reinforcing the contrasting idea.
그 법안은 대중의 지지를 얻지 못했지만, 정부는 ___ 강행할 태세다.
'그럼에도 불구하고' (nevertheless, despite that) is a strong conjunction expressing contrast, indicating the government's resolve to proceed despite a lack of public support.
그들은 서로 다른 배경을 가지고 있었지만, 깊은 유대감으로 ___.
'연결되어 있었다' (were connected) creates the necessary contrast: despite different backgrounds, they shared a deep bond.
다음 중 '~지만'의 사용이 문법적으로 올바른 문장을 고르세요.
'~지만'은 앞 절과 뒤 절의 내용이 대조되거나 상반될 때 사용하며, 제시된 모든 문장에서 올바르게 사용되었습니다.
다음 문장 중 '~지만'을 사용하여 자연스럽게 연결되지 않는 것을 고르세요.
커피를 좋아한다는 것과 차를 마셨다는 것은 반드시 대조되는 상황이 아니므로, '~지만'으로 연결하는 것이 어색할 수 있습니다. 예를 들어, '저는 커피를 좋아하지만, 오늘은 차가 마시고 싶었다.'와 같이 보충 설명이 필요합니다.
다음 문맥에서 '~지만' 대신 사용할 수 있는 가장 적절한 표현은 무엇인가요? '그는 똑똑하지만, 게으르다.'
'~에도 불구하고'는 앞 절의 내용이 뒤 절의 내용에 영향을 미치지 않음을 나타낼 때 사용되어, '~지만'과 유사한 대조의 의미를 가질 수 있습니다.
'~지만'은 과거 시제와 함께 사용될 수 없다.
'~지만'은 '-았/었지만' 형태로 과거 시제와 함께 사용될 수 있습니다. 예: '어제 비가 왔지만, 우산을 가져가지 않았다.'
'~지만'은 주어가 다른 두 절을 연결할 수 있다.
'~지만'은 앞 절과 뒤 절의 주어가 달라도 사용 가능합니다. 예: '나는 한국인이지만, 그는 미국인이다.'
'~지만'은 형용사 뒤에만 붙어 대조를 나타낸다.
'~지만'은 동사, 형용사, 그리고 명사 뒤에 '이다'와 함께 사용하여 대조를 나타낼 수 있습니다. 예: '공부했지만, 성적이 좋지 않았다.' (동사), '아름답지만, 차갑다.' (형용사), '학생이지만, 직장인처럼 바쁘다.' (명사)
He studied hard, but failed the exam.
The weather was good, but we stayed home.
The food was delicious, but too expensive.
Read this aloud:
돈은 많지만 행복하지 않아요.
Focus: 많지만 (man-ji-man)
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Read this aloud:
피곤했지만 영화를 끝까지 봤어요.
Focus: 피곤했지만 (pi-gon-haet-ji-man)
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Read this aloud:
복잡하지만 재미있는 게임이에요.
Focus: 복잡하지만 (bok-jap-ha-ji-man)
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You are discussing the recent global economic trends with a friend. Write a paragraph (3-4 sentences) expressing your opinion about a country's economic policy, acknowledging its positive aspects but then presenting a critical viewpoint. Use '~지만' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
최근 한 국가의 경제 정책은 일자리 창출에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤지만, 동시에 소득 불균형을 심화시키는 결과를 초래했습니다. 기업들의 투자를 유도하는 데는 성공했지만, 장기적인 관점에서 볼 때 사회적 양극화를 더욱 심화시킬 우려가 있습니다. 따라서 단순히 경제 성장에만 초점을 맞추기보다는, 사회 전체의 균형 발전을 고려하는 정책 수정이 필요하다고 생각합니다.
You are writing a review of a newly released movie. Write a paragraph (3-4 sentences) evaluating the movie, highlighting its strengths but also pointing out its weaknesses. Use '~지만' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이번 영화는 배우들의 뛰어난 연기와 아름다운 영상미가 돋보였지만, 다소 예측 가능한 스토리 전개가 아쉬웠습니다. 감독의 연출력은 훌륭했지만, 몇몇 장면에서는 개연성이 부족하다고 느껴졌습니다. 전반적으로 좋은 작품이었지만, 좀 더 깊이 있는 주제 의식을 담아냈다면 명작으로 남을 수 있었을 것이라고 생각합니다.
You are writing an email to a colleague about a project. You want to express your overall satisfaction with their contribution, but also gently suggest an area for improvement. Write a paragraph (3-4 sentences) using '~지만' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이번 프로젝트에 대한 귀하의 기여에 깊이 감사드립니다. 뛰어난 분석력과 문제 해결 능력 덕분에 많은 어려움을 극복할 수 있었지만, 때로는 의사소통 방식에 있어서 조금 더 명확한 정보 공유가 필요하다고 느꼈습니다. 전반적으로 훌륭한 성과를 보여주셨지만, 다음 프로젝트에서는 이러한 부분을 개선하면 더욱 완벽한 결과를 얻을 수 있을 것이라고 확신합니다.
위 글에서 '~지만'은 어떤 의미로 사용되었습니까?
Read this passage:
최근 인공지능 기술의 발전은 의료 분야에 혁신적인 변화를 가져왔습니다. 진단 정확도가 향상되고 치료 과정이 효율적으로 변했지만, 여전히 인간 의사의 판단과 공감 능력을 완전히 대체하기는 어렵습니다. 특히 윤리적인 문제와 개인 정보 보호에 대한 우려도 커지고 있습니다.
위 글에서 '~지만'은 어떤 의미로 사용되었습니까?
이 문맥에서 '~지만'은 인공지능 기술의 긍정적인 측면(진단 정확도 향상, 치료 과정 효율화)과 그럼에도 불구하고 존재하는 한계점(인간 의사 대체 어려움, 윤리적 문제)을 대조적으로 연결하는 역할을 합니다.
이 문맥에서 '~지만'은 인공지능 기술의 긍정적인 측면(진단 정확도 향상, 치료 과정 효율화)과 그럼에도 불구하고 존재하는 한계점(인간 의사 대체 어려움, 윤리적 문제)을 대조적으로 연결하는 역할을 합니다.
위 글의 핵심 내용으로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
세계화는 다양한 문화 교류를 촉진하고 경제 성장에 기여했지만, 동시에 문화적 동질화와 경제적 불평등을 심화시켰다는 비판도 받고 있습니다. 국가 간의 상호 의존성을 높여 평화를 증진시키는 긍정적인 측면도 있지만, 자국 중심주의가 강화되는 경향도 나타나고 있습니다.
위 글의 핵심 내용으로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
지문은 세계화의 긍정적인 측면(문화 교류, 경제 성장, 평화 증진)과 부정적인 측면(문화적 동질화, 경제적 불평등, 자국 중심주의)을 모두 언급하며 '~지만'을 사용하여 이들을 대조하고 있습니다. 따라서 세계화가 양면성을 지닌다는 것이 핵심 내용입니다.
지문은 세계화의 긍정적인 측면(문화 교류, 경제 성장, 평화 증진)과 부정적인 측면(문화적 동질화, 경제적 불평등, 자국 중심주의)을 모두 언급하며 '~지만'을 사용하여 이들을 대조하고 있습니다. 따라서 세계화가 양면성을 지닌다는 것이 핵심 내용입니다.
위 글을 통해 추론할 수 있는 내용으로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
이 제품은 뛰어난 디자인과 혁신적인 기능으로 시장의 주목을 받았지만, 높은 가격과 부족한 서비스 지원으로 인해 소비자들의 불만이 꾸준히 제기되고 있습니다. 기술적인 완성도는 높지만, 사용자 경험 측면에서는 개선해야 할 부분이 많다는 평가가 지배적입니다.
위 글을 통해 추론할 수 있는 내용으로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
지문에서 '뛰어난 디자인과 혁신적인 기능으로 시장의 주목을 받았지만'이라는 부분에서 기술적인 우수성을 알 수 있으며, '높은 가격과 부족한 서비스 지원으로 인해 소비자들의 불만이 꾸준히 제기되고 있습니다'라는 부분에서 가격과 서비스가 약점임을 추론할 수 있습니다.
지문에서 '뛰어난 디자인과 혁신적인 기능으로 시장의 주목을 받았지만'이라는 부분에서 기술적인 우수성을 알 수 있으며, '높은 가격과 부족한 서비스 지원으로 인해 소비자들의 불만이 꾸준히 제기되고 있습니다'라는 부분에서 가격과 서비스가 약점임을 추론할 수 있습니다.
This sentence uses '~지만' to connect two contrasting clauses: 'he is rich' and 'he is stingy.' The correct order maintains the natural flow of the Korean sentence structure.
'~지만' connects 'the weather is good' with 'the wind blows a lot,' indicating a contrast. The sentence order places the conjunction correctly between the two clauses.
Here, '공부는 어렵지만' (studying is difficult, but) is followed by '재미있다' (it is fun), showing a contrast. The correct order ensures logical sentence construction.
/ 174 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of ~지만
The most straightforward use of ~지만 is to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast or opposite idea to the first. Think of it like 'but' or 'although' in English.
Attaching to verbs and adjectives
You attach ~지만 directly to the stem of a verb or adjective. There are no irregular conjugations to worry about with this grammar point, which makes it easy to use!
Present tense example
Here's an example: 저는 학생이지만, 일해요. (I am a student, but I work.) Notice how 학생이다 (to be a student) becomes 학생이지만.
Past tense with ~지만
To use ~지만 in the past tense, first conjugate the verb or adjective into its past tense form (e.g., -았/었-), and then add ~지만. For example, 먹었지만 (I ate, but...).
Beispiel
날씨는 춥지만 햇살은 따뜻했다.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr communication Wörter
~대해서
A2About; a particle indicating the subject of discussion.
~ 에 대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~쯤
A2About; approximately (quantity, time)
동의
B1The act of agreeing with someone's opinion or a proposal. A core functional word for IELTS Writing Task 2 'agree or disagree' questions.
모호성
B2The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or lack of clarity.
그리고
A1And/and then
공지
A2A formal announcement or notification.
답하다
A1To answer
대답하다
A1To answer
대답
A1Answer; Reply (response to a question)
