π Grammar 8: How to Use ~μ§λ§ – Expressing Contrast in Korean
π How to Use ~μ§λ§ – Expressing Contrast in Korean
In English, we use words like “but” or “however” to show contrast: “I’m tired, but I’ll study” or “She is young, but very smart.”
In Korean, the equivalent grammar expression is ~μ§λ§.
It’s one of the most useful and common ways to connect two ideas with contrast or contradiction. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use ~μ§λ§ with verbs and adjectives, with lots of examples and Romanization!
π§ What Does ~μ§λ§ Mean?
~μ§λ§ means “but” / “although” / “however”.
It’s attached to the stem of a verb or adjective and connects two contrasting ideas.
Structure:
Verb/Adjective stem + μ§λ§ + second sentence
Examples:
- κ°λ€ (to go) → κ°μ§λ§ – “go but…”
- λ¨Ήλ€ (to eat) → λ¨Ήμ§λ§ – “eat but…”
- μΆ₯λ€ (to be cold) → μΆ₯μ§λ§ – “it’s cold but…”
π Examples with Verbs
| Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| νκ΅μ κ°μ§λ§ 곡λΆλ μ νμ΄μ. | I went to school, but I didn’t study. | hak-gyo-e ga-ji-man gong-bu-neun an haet-sseo-yo |
| μνλ₯Ό λ΄€μ§λ§ μ¬λ―Έμμμ΄μ. | I watched the movie, but it wasn’t fun. | yeong-hwa-reul bwat-ji-man jae-mi-eop-sseo-sseo-yo |
| μ ννμ§λ§ μ λ°μμ΄μ. | I called, but there was no answer. | jeon-hwa-haet-ji-man an ba-dat-sseo-yo |
π Examples with Adjectives
- λΉμΈμ§λ§ λ§μμ΄μ – It’s expensive, but delicious
bi-ssa-ji-man ma-sit-seo-yo - νΌκ³€νμ§λ§ μ΄λν κ±°μμ – I’m tired, but I’ll work out
pi-gon-ha-ji-man un-dong-hal geo-ye-yo - μμ§λ§ νΈν΄μ – It’s small, but comfortable
jak-ji-man pyeon-hae-yo
π Grammar Summary Table
| Base | + μ§λ§ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| κ°λ€ (to go) | κ°μ§λ§ | but (go)... |
| μ’λ€ (to be good) | μ’μ§λ§ | but (good)... |
| λ¨Ήλ€ (to eat) | λ¨Ήμ§λ§ | but (eat)... |
| μΆ₯λ€ (to be cold) | μΆ₯μ§λ§ | but (cold)... |
π‘ Common Usage Tips
- ~μ§λ§ is polite and commonly used in both speech and writing.
- Can be used with past, present, or future tense verbs.
- Often, the second part of the sentence shows the contrast.
Example:
λΉκ° μ€μ§λ§ μΆκ·Όν΄μΌ ν΄μ
(It’s raining, but I have to go to work.)
π§ͺ Mini Quiz – Let’s Practice!
- What does "νμ§λ§" mean?
a) And
b) But
c) Because
Click to Show Answer
✅ b) But
- Translate: “I am busy, but I will go.”
a) λ°λΉ μ κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ κ° κ±°μμ
b) λ°μμ§λ§ κ° κ±°μμ
Click to Show Answer
✅ b) λ°μμ§λ§ κ° κ±°μμ
- Choose the correct sentence:
a) μΆ₯μ§λ§ λλ λ°μ μμ΄μ
b) μΆ₯κ³ λλ λ°μ μμ΄μ
Click to Show Answer
✅ a) μΆ₯μ§λ§ λλ λ°μ μμ΄μ
✅ Conclusion
Now you can express contrast and contradiction like a native speaker using ~μ§λ§!
- Use it to say “but”, “although”, “however”
- Attach to verb or adjective stem
- Works in all tenses (past, present, future)
Practice by writing or saying things like:
“I want to sleep, but I have homework.” → μκ³ μΆμ§λ§ μμ κ° μμ΄μ
π Coming Up Next
Next lesson: How to Use ~κ³ μΆμ΄μ – Expressing Desire in Korean
Learn how to say what you want to do using “~κ³ μΆμ΄μ”!
Related Keywords:
learn korean, korean grammar, korean contrast sentence, but in korean, ~μ§λ§ grammar, korean connectors, romanized korean