Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to tell someone to stop giving you food, drinks, or tasks.
- Means: 'Please stop giving [it to me]'.
- Used in: Restaurants, family dinners, or when receiving too much work.
- Don't confuse: Use '그만 하세요' for actions, '그만 주세요' for objects/items.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
A request to cease providing more of something.
Contexte culturel
The 'Refusal of Three' (Sam-go-cho-ryeo style): It is common for Koreans to refuse an offer of food or a gift three times before finally accepting. Conversely, if you want to stop, you might have to say '그만 주세요' multiple times because the host thinks you are just being 'polite' by refusing. Food Waste Awareness: In modern Korea, there is a strong movement against food waste ({음식물 쓰레기|飮食物 쓰레기}). Saying '그만 주세요' is now seen as responsible behavior rather than just a refusal of kindness. The Role of 'Service': In Korean restaurants, 'Service' (서비스) refers to free items. While it's a gift, if you are full, you must use '그만 주세요' to prevent the table from becoming cluttered. Hierarchy and Giving: When a superior (boss or elder) gives you something, refusing with '그만 주세요' requires a very soft, apologetic tone to maintain harmony.
Use with '이제'
Adding '이제' (now) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and less like a sudden command.
Watch your hands
In Korea, physical gestures are part of the language. Use a polite hand wave or cover your plate/glass while saying it.
Use with '이제'
Adding '이제' (now) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and less like a sudden command.
Watch your hands
In Korea, physical gestures are part of the language. Use a polite hand wave or cover your plate/glass while saying it.
The 'Full' Excuse
Always follow '그만 주세요' with '배불러요' (I'm full) so the giver knows it's not because you dislike the gift/food.
The Smile
A refusal is a 'negative' social act. Counteract it with a warm smile to show you still value the relationship.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to politely tell the waiter to stop refilling your water.
물은 이제 (____) 주세요.
'그만' is the adverb meaning 'stop' or 'enough' in this context.
Which phrase is most appropriate when your boss gives you too much work?
Which one should you say?
This is the polite, formal way to ask to stop receiving work. '그만 줘' is informal, and '그만 하세요' is for actions.
Complete the dialogue between a grandmother and a grandson.
Grandma: '밥 더 먹을래?' Grandson: '아니요, 할머니. (________________).'
The grandson is refusing more food, so '그만 주세요' is the correct choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a bar and the bartender is pouring too much.
You want the pouring to stop, so you use the refusal phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
그만 주세요 vs 그만 하세요
Banque d exercices
5 exercices물은 이제 (____) 주세요.
'그만' is the adverb meaning 'stop' or 'enough' in this context.
Which one should you say?
This is the polite, formal way to ask to stop receiving work. '그만 줘' is informal, and '그만 하세요' is for actions.
Grandma: '밥 더 먹을래?' Grandson: '아니요, 할머니. (________________).'
The grandson is refusing more food, so '그만 주세요' is the correct choice.
Situation: You are at a bar and the bartender is pouring too much.
You want the pouring to stop, so you use the refusal phrase.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, as long as you use the '-세요' ending and a polite tone. It is a standard way to refuse.
No, for that use '그만 말씀하세요' or '그만 하세요'. '주세요' is for objects.
'그만 주세요' focuses on the giver's action, while '이제 됐어요' focuses on your state of being finished.
You can say '그만 줘' (Geuman jwo).
Yes, if someone is sending you too many files or newsletters, you can say '메일은 이제 그만 주세요'.
This is common! Say it again with '진짜' (really) or '정말' (truly): '정말 그만 주세요'.
Yes, '그만 주십시오' (Geuman jusipsio) is the very formal version.
Yes, it's common when refusing an allowance from parents or a tip.
It specifically means 'Stop giving [what you are currently giving]'.
People often say '됐어' (Dwaesseo) or '그만해' (Geuman-hae) among friends.
Expressions liées
이제 됐어요
synonymIt's enough now.
괜찮습니다
similarI am okay / No thank you.
그만 하세요
confusingPlease stop doing that.
충분합니다
specialized formIt is sufficient.
더 주셔도 돼요
contrastYou can give me more.
그만 둬요
similarStop it / Quit it.
Où l'utiliser
At a Korean BBQ Restaurant
Server: 반찬 더 드릴까요?
You: 아니요, 이제 그만 주세요. 배불러요.
At a Friend's Parent's House
Friend's Mom: 과일 좀 더 먹어라.
You: 어머니, 정말 많이 먹었어요. 이제 그만 주세요.
In the Office
Boss: 김 대리, 이 서류도 좀 봐줘.
You: 부장님, 지금 일이 너무 많아요. 업무는 이제 그만 주세요.
Receiving Gifts
Partner: 이것도 샀어. 받아.
You: 선물은 이제 그만 주세요. 마음만으로 충분해요.
Drinking with Colleagues
Colleague: 한 잔 더 하세요!
You: 죄송합니다, 술은 그만 주세요. 더 못 마셔요.
Street Marketing
Promoter: 전단지 하나 받으세요!
You: 그만 주세요. 안 필요해요.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'G-Man' (그만) standing at your table saying 'Stop giving!'
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant mountain of kimchi on your plate and you are holding up your hands in a 'T' shape like a referee to stop the flow.
Rhyme
그만 주세요, 배불러요! (Geuman juseyo, baebulleoyo!)
Story
You are at a Korean grandma's house. She gives you rice. Then soup. Then more rice. You feel like you will explode. You look her in the eye, smile, and say '그만 주세요' to save your stomach.
In Other Languages
In Japanese, 'Mou kekkou desu' (It's already enough) is the closest cultural equivalent. In English, 'That's enough, thank you' covers the same ground.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are at a restaurant, wait for the server to bring side dishes and practice saying '감사합니다' first, then '이제 그만 주세요' when they try to bring a third refill.
Review this phrase before going to a dinner party or a Korean BBQ restaurant.
Prononciation
The 'g' is soft, almost like a 'k'. The 'u' is a flat sound like in 'good'.
The 'j' is soft. 'se' is like 'set' without the 't'. 'yo' is a long 'o'.
Spectre de formalité
그만 주십시오. (Dining)
그만 주세요. (Dining)
그만 줘. (Dining)
이제 됐어, 고만 줘. (Dining)
The phrase is a combination of the native Korean adverb '그만' and the auxiliary verb '주다' (to give) in its polite imperative form. '그만' itself is a compound of '그' (that) and '만' (limit/only).
Le savais-tu ?
The word '그만' is so versatile that it can be used as a command on its own ('그만!') to mean 'Stop it!'
Notes culturelles
The 'Refusal of Three' (Sam-go-cho-ryeo style): It is common for Koreans to refuse an offer of food or a gift three times before finally accepting. Conversely, if you want to stop, you might have to say '그만 주세요' multiple times because the host thinks you are just being 'polite' by refusing.
“Host: 'More?' You: 'No, 그만 주세요.' Host: 'Just a bit!' You: 'Really, 그만 주세요!'”
Food Waste Awareness: In modern Korea, there is a strong movement against food waste ({음식물 쓰레기|飮食物 쓰레기}). Saying '그만 주세요' is now seen as responsible behavior rather than just a refusal of kindness.
“식당에서 '반찬은 그만 주세요'라고 말하면 환경에 좋아요.”
The Role of 'Service': In Korean restaurants, 'Service' (서비스) refers to free items. While it's a gift, if you are full, you must use '그만 주세요' to prevent the table from becoming cluttered.
“서비스는 이제 그만 주세요. 배가 너무 불러요.”
Hierarchy and Giving: When a superior (boss or elder) gives you something, refusing with '그만 주세요' requires a very soft, apologetic tone to maintain harmony.
“부장님, 술은 이제 그만 주세요. 죄송합니다.”
Amorces de conversation
식당에서 아주머니가 반찬을 계속 주시면 뭐라고 할 거예요?
친구 부모님 댁에서 배가 너무 부를 때 어떻게 말해요?
상사가 일을 너무 많이 줄 때 정중하게 거절해 보세요.
술자리에서 더 이상 마시기 싫을 때의 표현은?
Erreurs courantes
그만 하세요 (when refusing food)
그만 주세요
L1 Interference
그만 줘 (to an elder)
그만 주세요
L1 Interference
안 주세요
그만 주세요
L1 Interference
그만 주다 (as a request)
그만 주세요
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
No me dé más, por favor.
Spanish uses 'no more' while Korean uses 'stop'.
C'est assez, merci.
French is more state-oriented, Korean is more action-oriented.
Geben Sie mir bitte nicht mehr.
German requires the 'nicht mehr' (not more) construction.
もう結構です (Mou kekkou desu)
Japanese is even more indirect, often omitting the verb 'give' entirely.
يكفي، شكراً (Yakfi, shukran)
Arabic uses a verb meaning 'to be enough' as the primary refusal.
不要再给了 (Bùyào zài gěile)
Chinese uses 'don't' while Korean uses 'stop'.
That's enough, thank you.
English avoids the verb 'give' in polite refusals.
Não me dê mais, por favor.
Portuguese often uses 'está bom' (it's good) to mean 'stop'.
Spotted in the Real World
“아버님, 이제 그만 주세요. 저 진짜 배불러요.”
Bok-joo is eating at a friend's house and the father keeps giving her fried chicken.
“그만 주세요. 충분합니다.”
Mr. Park telling the housekeeper to stop pouring wine.
“잔소리는 그만 주세요.”
Metaphorical use in a song about wanting peace and comfort.
Facile à confondre
Both start with '그만' and mean 'stop'.
Use '주세요' (give) for things you can hold. Use '하세요' (do) for things people do (talking, hitting, running).
Learners think '안' (not) + '주세요' (give) means 'don't give'.
'안 주세요' sounds like a question 'Aren't you giving it to me?' or a complaint. '그만 주세요' is the standard request to stop.
Questions fréquentes (10)
No, as long as you use the '-세요' ending and a polite tone. It is a standard way to refuse.
basic understandingNo, for that use '그만 말씀하세요' or '그만 하세요'. '주세요' is for objects.
usage contexts'그만 주세요' focuses on the giver's action, while '이제 됐어요' focuses on your state of being finished.
comparisonsYou can say '그만 줘' (Geuman jwo).
grammar mechanicsYes, if someone is sending you too many files or newsletters, you can say '메일은 이제 그만 주세요'.
practical tipsThis is common! Say it again with '진짜' (really) or '정말' (truly): '정말 그만 주세요'.
cultural usageYes, '그만 주십시오' (Geuman jusipsio) is the very formal version.
grammar mechanicsYes, it's common when refusing an allowance from parents or a tip.
usage contextsIt specifically means 'Stop giving [what you are currently giving]'.
basic understandingPeople often say '됐어' (Dwaesseo) or '그만해' (Geuman-hae) among friends.
practical tips
