-지만 – Korean but

Joins two contrasting clauses: 비싸지만 맛있어요 = It is expensive but tasty. Attach -지만 directly to any verb or adjective stem.

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Key rules

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비싸지만 맛있어요 Bissajiman masisseoyo It's expensive, but it's delicious Verb/adj stem + 지만 = but. Very common. · Base form: 지만
어렵지만 재미있어요 Eoryeopjiman jaemiisseoyo It's difficult, but interesting Adjective stem + 지만. · Base form: 지만
가고 싶지만 시간이 없어요 Gago sipjiman sigani eopseoyo I want to go, but I don't have time 싶다 stem + 지만. · Base form: 지만
죄송하지만 문 좀 닫아 주세요 Joesonghajiman mun jom dada juseyo I'm sorry, but please close the door Using 지만 to soften a request politely. · Base form: 지만
한국 사람이지만 한국어를 잘 못해요 Hanguk saramijiman hangugeoreul jal mothaeyo I'm Korean, but I'm not good at Korean Noun + 이지만 (after consonant) = but (I am)... · Base form: 이지만
학생이지만 돈이 많아요 Haksaengijiman doni manayo I'm a student, but I have a lot of money Noun + 이지만. · Base form: 이지만
갔지만 만나지 못했어요 Gatjiman mannaji mothaesseoyo I went, but I couldn't meet them Past stem (갔) + 지만. · Base form: 지만
작지만 편해요 Jakjiman pyeonhaeyo It's small, but comfortable Adjective + 지만 for concession. · Base form: 지만

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