-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다

Only, Merely, Solely, Just

Explanation

This expression is used when there is only one available course of action or state of being. In such cases, 뿐 has the same meaning as 오직 (solely, merely, only).

Details

This expression can be made even more emphatic by using the form N만 -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 or A/V-기만 -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다.

저는 그냥 그 사람의 얼굴만 알 뿐입니다.
I really only know that person’s face (and nothing else).
그 사람한테 연락이 오기만을 기다리고 있을 뿐이에요.

Examples
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 자야 씨, 호영 씨를 좋아하고 있지요?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 네, 하지만 고백할 용기가 없어서 지금은 바라보<span class='focus'>기만 할 뿐이에요</span>.
A: Jaya, you like Hoyeong, right? B: Yes, but I don’t have the courage to declare my love, so for now I can only watch (him) from afar.
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 오늘 회의를 8시간이나 했는데 결정된 것은 없고 시간<span class='focus'>만 보냈을 뿐이네요</span>.<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 그러게요. 그럼 내일 또 회의를 해야 하는 건가요?
A: Today’s meeting lasted a whole eight hours with nothing getting decided. We did nothing but waste time. B: You’re right. So do we have to hold another meeting tomorrow?
지금은 아무 것도 하고 싶지 않아요. 잠만 자고 싶<span class='focus'>을 뿐이에요</span>.
Right now, I don’t want to do anything. I only want to sleep.

7 more sentences in the app — free account.