B1 adverb 2 دقیقه مطالعه

고작

It means 'only' or 'merely', usually when you are disappointed by a small amount.

gojak
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 고작 when you have a small number. If you have 1 dollar, you say '고작 1 dollar'. It means 'only'. It is very simple to use!

Use 고작 to show you are not happy with the amount. If a movie is short, you can say 'The movie was 고작 30 minutes.' It is a common way to talk about time or money.

In intermediate Korean, 고작 helps you express judgment. It is not just 'only', but 'merely'. Use it when you want to minimize the importance of an event or a quantity to show your perspective.

At this level, you can use 고작 to add nuance to your arguments. It is great for rhetorical questions like 'Are you doing this for 고작 that much money?' It shows you have a strong opinion about the value of something.

Advanced speakers use 고작 to frame narratives. It serves as a tool for irony or sarcasm. By placing 고작 before a noun, you can instantly turn a neutral statement into a critical observation about someone's lack of effort or ambition.

Mastering 고작 involves understanding the cultural weight of 'insignificance' in Korean society. It is used in literary contexts to highlight the futility of human struggle against larger forces, often appearing in prose to describe 'a mere moment' or 'a mere shadow' of something greater.

واژه در 30 ثانیه

  • Means 'only' or 'merely'.
  • Used to express disappointment.
  • Casual register.
  • Used with numbers and nouns.

Hey there! Let's talk about 고작. It is a super useful Korean adverb that you use when you want to highlight that something is just not enough. Think of it as the 'disappointed version' of 'only'.

When you use 고작, you are telling the listener that you expected more. It adds a little bit of emotional weight to your sentence. Whether it is time, money, or effort, if it feels tiny, 고작 is the word you need.

The word 고작 is a native Korean term. It evolved from the combination of words related to 'height' or 'peak' (고) and 'doing' or 'acting' (작). Historically, it implies that the effort or result reached a certain point and simply stopped there, failing to go any further.

Over centuries, it shifted from a neutral description of a limit to a more subjective expression of disappointment. It is fascinating how a word for 'limit' became a way to express a feeling of 'that is all?' in everyday conversation.

You use 고작 before nouns or numbers. For example, '고작 10분' means 'a mere 10 minutes'. It is very common in spoken Korean when people are complaining or feeling let down.

It is definitely more casual than formal. You would use it with friends or family, but perhaps avoid it in a very stiff business presentation unless you are trying to be very blunt about a failure.

While 고작 is an adverb, it appears in many set phrases. 1. 고작 이거야? (Is this all there is?). 2. 고작 그거 가지고 (With just that little thing). 3. 고작해야 (At most/At best). 4. 고작 한 번 (Just one single time). 5. 고작 이름뿐인 (In name only).

These phrases help you sound like a native speaker who knows how to express frustration or skepticism effectively.

Grammatically, 고작 acts as an adverbial modifier. It does not change forms like verbs or adjectives. In terms of pronunciation, focus on the tense 'ㄱ' sound. It should be sharp and crisp.

The word rhymes with nothing specific in English, but the stress is usually on the second syllable. Practice saying 'go-JAK' with a little bit of a downward pitch to emphasize the disappointment.

Fun Fact

It is a purely native Korean word, not Sino-Korean!

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɡo.dʒak

Sounds like 'go-jack' but with a tense 'g' sound.

US ɡo.dʒak

Crisp 'g' at the start, 'j' like 'jam'.

Common Errors

  • Softening the first 'ㄱ'
  • Pronouncing the 'ㅈ' too softly
  • Missing the tense 'ㄱ' sound

Rhymes With

도착 조작 모작 오작 보작

Difficulty Rating

خواندن 2/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to write

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say

شنیدن 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

하나 둘 시간 돈

Learn Next

겨우 무려 기껏

پیشرفته

불과 한낱

Grammar to Know

Adverb placement

고작 10분

Particle usage

고작 10분밖에

Number counters

고작 1개

Examples by Level

1

고작 1개예요.

Only 1 item.

Number + counter.

2

고작 5분.

Only 5 minutes.

Time duration.

3

고작 이거?

Just this?

Interrogative.

4

고작 100원.

Only 100 won.

Currency.

5

고작 한 명.

Only one person.

Counting people.

6

고작 2일.

Only 2 days.

Duration.

7

고작 3개.

Only 3 items.

Quantity.

8

고작 다?

Is that all?

Casual question.

1

고작 10분밖에 안 남았어요.

2

고작 그게 다야?

3

고작 100달러를 벌었어요.

4

고작 하루 쉬었어요.

5

고작 2킬로미터 걸었어요.

6

고작 5명 왔어요.

7

고작 1년 살았어요.

8

고작 이거 먹어요?

1

고작 그런 이유로 포기하다니.

2

고작해야 1시간 걸릴 거예요.

3

고작 1등을 하려고 노력했나요?

4

고작 이름만 남았네요.

5

고작 이 정도로 만족해요?

6

고작 10퍼센트 할인이에요.

7

고작 한 문장 썼어요.

8

고작 그 정도 실력인가요?

1

고작 이런 결과물을 위해 밤을 새웠나요?

2

고작 며칠 만에 모든 게 변했어요.

3

고작 1달러의 가치도 없어요.

4

고작 자기 생각만 하는 사람이에요.

5

고작 이 작은 방에서 살아야 해요?

6

고작 한 번의 기회뿐이었어요.

7

고작 10분 늦은 게 전부예요.

8

고작 겉모습만 보고 판단하지 마세요.

1

고작 한낱 인간의 욕심일 뿐이다.

2

고작 이름뿐인 왕으로 살고 싶지 않다.

3

고작해야 며칠 더 버티는 것이 전부였다.

4

고작 그 정도의 비판에 흔들리지 마라.

5

고작 1퍼센트의 가능성에 희망을 걸다.

6

고작 몇 줄의 글이 세상을 바꿨다.

7

고작해야 10년 전의 일이다.

8

고작 찰나의 순간에 불과했다.

1

고작 한 줌의 흙으로 돌아갈 운명이다.

2

고작 이름 없는 들꽃처럼 살다 갔다.

3

고작해야 침묵이 전부인 관계였다.

4

고작 한 마디의 말로 관계가 틀어졌다.

5

고작 1초의 망설임이 결과를 바꿨다.

6

고작해야 헛된 꿈에 불과했다.

7

고작 그 작은 울타리를 넘지 못했다.

8

고작 한 방울의 눈물이 모든 것을 말해주었다.

ترکیب‌های رایج

고작 1분
고작 1달러
고작 5명
고작 한 번
고작 이 정도
고작 이름뿐
고작 10퍼센트
고작 며칠
고작 한 마디
고작 1등

Idioms & Expressions

"고작해야"

at most

고작해야 10분이야.

neutral

"고작 이름뿐인"

in name only

고작 이름뿐인 사장이다.

neutral

"고작 그게 다야"

is that all?

고작 그게 다야? 더 없어?

casual

"고작 한 줌"

a mere handful

고작 한 줌의 모래.

literary

"고작 찰나"

a mere moment

고작 찰나의 행복.

literary

"고작 한낱"

a mere (insignificant thing)

고작 한낱 꿈일 뿐.

literary

Easily Confused

고작 vs 겨우

Both mean 'only'.

겨우 is neutral/hard work, 고작 is disappointed.

겨우 도착했다 vs 고작 이거야?

고작 vs 기껏

Both mean 'at most'.

기껏 is more about the effort spent.

기껏 준비했는데 vs 고작 이 정도야?

고작 vs 단지

Both mean 'only'.

단지 is objective/formal.

단지 사실일 뿐이다 vs 고작 10분이다.

고작 vs 불과

Both mean 'only'.

불과 is very formal/written.

10명에 불과하다 vs 고작 10명이다.

Sentence Patterns

A1

고작 + [number] + [counter]

고작 2개 먹었어요.

B1

고작 + [noun] + 뿐

고작 이름뿐이에요.

A2

고작 + [adjective] + [noun]

고작 작은 방이에요.

A1

고작 + [verb]

고작 1분 늦었어요.

B2

고작 + [noun] + 인가요?

고작 이것뿐인가요?

خانواده کلمه

Nouns

고작 the limit/the mere amount

مرتبط

겨우 synonym
무려 antonym

How to Use It

frequency

7/10

Formality Scale

Formal: 불과 Neutral: 겨우 Casual: 고작 Slang: 꼴랑

اشتباهات رایج

Using 고작 with large numbers → Use 무려
고작 is for small amounts, 무려 is for surprisingly large ones.
Confusing with 겨우 → They are similar, but 고작 is more emotional/disappointed.
겨우 is more about the difficulty of reaching that amount.
Using as a verb → Use as an adverb
It cannot be conjugated.
Using in formal writing → Use 불과
고작 is too casual for academic papers.
Forgetting the particle → Use with nouns
It needs a noun or number to modify.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Imagine a tiny 'Jack' in your pocket.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

When they are annoyed by a small result.

🌍

Cultural Insight

It reflects the Korean value of 'effort'.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Put it right before the number.

💡

Say It Right

Sharpen the 'G' sound.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it for big numbers!

💡

Did You Know?

It's a native word!

💡

Study Smart

Use it in sentences about your own daily frustrations.

💡

Tone Matters

Your facial expression should show disappointment.

💡

Pairing

Pair it with '밖에 안' for extra emphasis.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Go (go) + Jack (jack). Go Jack, you only did a little bit!

Visual Association

A tiny pile of gold coins.

Word Web

disappointment smallness limitation insignificance

چالش

Try to say '고작' every time you see a small portion of food today.

ریشه کلمه

Korean

Original meaning: The peak of an action or limit.

بافت فرهنگی

Can be rude if used to describe someone's efforts.

Similar to 'mere' or 'just'.

Used in countless K-dramas when a character is insulted.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

  • 고작 100원이에요
  • 고작 이거 사요?
  • 고작 한 개 남았어요

School

  • 고작 1문제 틀렸어요
  • 고작 5분 남았어요
  • 고작 이거 공부해요?

Work

  • 고작 이 정도 성과인가요?
  • 고작 1시간 일했어요
  • 고작 이름만 올렸어요

Travel

  • 고작 2일 머물러요
  • 고작 10달러 들었어요
  • 고작 이만큼 걸었어요

Conversation Starters

"고작 1시간밖에 안 남았는데 뭐 할까요?"

"고작 이 정도로 만족하세요?"

"고작 100원 때문에 싸우지 마세요."

"고작 5분 늦은 게 그렇게 큰 잘못인가요?"

"고작 한 번 해보고 포기할 건가요?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you received less than you expected using '고작'.

Describe a small accomplishment you are proud of, but others might call '고작'.

How does the word '고작' make a sentence sound different from '겨우'?

Write a short dialogue where someone is disappointed by a small gift.

سوالات متداول

8 سوال

Yes, but it sounds condescending.

No, it is quite casual.

고작 is more about disappointment.

Rarely, as it usually implies a negative limit.

No, it is an adverb.

No, adverbs do not change.

No, it is native.

Only if the essay is very informal.

خودت رو بسنج

fill blank A1

I have ___ 1 apple.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 고작

고작 is used for small amounts.

multiple choice A2

Which word means 'merely'?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 고작

고작 is the word for merely.

true false B1

고작 can be used for large amounts.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

It is only for small amounts.

match pairs B1

Word

معنی

All matched!

Match the opposites.

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

고작 이거인가 다야?

امتیاز: /5

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