N만 — only, but only

만 expresses the choosing of one thing to the exclusion of other things. It corresponds to 'only' or 'just' in English. When used after a number, it can also mean 'minimum'. It is used by adding 만 to the end of the word being chosen or being stated to the exclusion of other things.

Details

The particle 만 can be used either in place of the particles 이/가, 은/는 and 을/를 or it can be used together with them. When used together, 만 is added first, followed by 이, 은 or 을 to form 만이, 만은 and 만을.

준호만 대학에 입학했어요. ✓

Only Junho was accepted to the university.

민우는 다른 책은 안 읽고 만화책만 읽어요. ✓

Minu reads comic books only, and no other books.

However, when used with particles other than 이/가, 은/는, and 을/를, 만 comes after the particle, to form 에서만, 에게만 and 까지만, for example.

우리 딸은 학교에서만 공부하고 집에서는 공부하지 않아요. ✓

Our daughter studies only at school, and doesn't study at home.

우리 딸은 학교만에서 공부하고 집에서는 공부하지 않아요. ✕

준호 씨에게만 선물을 줬어요. ✓

I gave a present just to Junho.

준호 씨만에게 선물을 줬어요. ✕

제이슨 씨는 12시까지만 공부하고 자요. ✓

Jason studies only until 12 o'clock, and then sleeps.

제이슨 씨는 12시만까지 공부하고 자요. ✕

Kimchi Reader

A particle that expresses the sense of limitation, emphasis and degree of comparison.