目錄
The Korean ending 「-지만」 is used to connect two parts of a sentence whose meanings contrast with each other. In Chinese, it is often translated as “although…but…” or “but.” For example, in 「비싸지만 맛있어요」, the first part acknowledges that the price is relatively high, while the second part gives the speaker’s final evaluation: it is still very delicious. The pattern may not look difficult, but in actual use, learners often get stuck on how it attaches to nouns, where the emphasis falls in the second clause, and how it differs from 「-는데」. Looking at these points separately makes contrasts in everyday conversation easier to interpret.
How Korean 「-지만」 Is Used: Contrast, Concession, and Polite Expressions
「-지만」 is a common connective ending in beginner Korean. It first acknowledges the content of the preceding clause, then adds something that is opposite to it, different from it, or still true despite the condition stated before. This ending frequently appears when expressing contrast or concession, as well as when making polite requests, stating limitations, or refusing something.
In Chinese, a sentence often begins with “although,” whereas Korean attaches the connective ending 「-지만」 directly to the predicate of the first clause, creating the structure 「A-지만 B」. The first clause presents information that is acknowledged, and the second clause then introduces information that contrasts with it.
How to Attach 「-지만」: Stems, Nouns, and Past Tense
With verbs and adjectives, 「-지만」 attaches directly in the form 「stem＋지만」, regardless of whether the stem ends in a final consonant. 「-지만」 can also follow the past-tense form 「-았/었-」 and the conjectural or volitional form 「-겠-」. With noun predicates, use 「noun＋(이)지만」: when the noun ends in a final consonant, use 「이지만」; when it ends in a vowel, 「이」 is usually omitted and 「지만」 is used, although 「이지만」 can also be retained.
| Type | Attachment | Example | Meaning |
| Verb | stem＋지만 | 가다 → 가지만 | go, but… |
| Adjective | stem＋지만 | 비싸다 → 비싸지만 | although it is expensive… |
| Noun with a final consonant | noun＋이지만 | 학생 → 학생이지만 | although someone is a student… |
| Noun without a final consonant | noun＋지만／이지만 | 친구 → 친구지만／친구이지만 | although someone is a friend… |
| Past tense | -았/었지만 | 가다 → 갔지만 | although someone went… |
| Conjecture／volition | -겠지만 | 어렵다 → 어렵겠지만 | although it may be difficult… |
The content before 「-지만」 is usually not the conclusion of the sentence. What the speaker really wants to say is generally placed in the second clause. In Chinese, this may be translated as “although A, B,” but the Korean structure itself is 「A-지만 B」.
Use ① of 「-지만」｜Expressing Opposite or Contrasting Content
This use places two different or opposite facts together for comparison. It commonly appears when contrasting different people, times, or things. The focus is on showing how the two sides differ, and it does not necessarily imply overcoming an obstacle or “doing something despite that.”
- Example: 형은 조용하지만 동생은 활발해요.
Romanization: hyeong-eun jo-yong-ha-ji-man dong-saeng-eun hwal-bal-hae-yo
Translation: The older brother is quiet, but the younger brother is outgoing.
The sentence directly contrasts the personalities of two different people. - Example: 평일에는 바쁘지만 주말에는 한가해요.
Romanization: pyeong-il-e-neun ba-ppeu-ji-man ju-mal-e-neun han-ga-hae-yo
Translation: I’m busy on weekdays, but I’m free on weekends.
The sentence compares different situations on weekdays and weekends. - Example: 이 옷은 싸지만 저 옷은 비싸요.
Romanization: i o-seun ssa-ji-man jeo o-seun bi-ssa-yo
Translation: This piece of clothing is cheap, but that one is expensive.
The two items are directly compared in terms of price.
Use ② of 「-지만」｜Expressing Concession: Doing Something Despite the Circumstances
「-지만」 is also often used when the condition in the first clause is unfavorable, but the second clause still holds true. In Chinese, this is often translated as “although…, still….”
- Example: 비가 오지만 갈 거예요.
Romanization: bi-ga o-ji-man gal geo-ye-yo
Translation: Although it’s raining, I’m still going to go.
The rain is an obstacle, but the second clause shows that the action will still take place. - Example: 피곤하지만 공부해야 해요.
Romanization: pi-gon-ha-ji-man gong-bu-hae-ya hae-yo
Translation: Although I’m tired, I have to study.
Being tired and having to study form a concessive relationship. - Example: 시간이 없지만 잠깐 들를게요.
Romanization: si-ga-ni eop-ji-man jam-kkan deul-reul-ge-yo
Translation: Although I don’t have much time, I’ll still stop by briefly.
The first clause presents a time constraint, while the second clause still expresses an action.
Use ③ of 「-지만」｜Softening Refusals or Adding Limitations
When 「-지만」 follows polite expressions such as 「죄송하다」「미안하다」「실례이다」, it is often used to soften the request, explanation, or refusal that follows. In this use, the first clause does not necessarily acknowledge a fact; it may instead serve as an apology or a way to ask for the listener’s understanding.
- Example: 죄송하지만 지금은 어렵습니다.
Romanization: joe-song-ha-ji-man ji-geu-meun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da
Translation: I’m sorry, but that would be difficult right now.
「죄송하지만」 is commonly used to introduce a polite refusal. - Example: 좋은 생각이지만 조금 더 검토해야 해요.
Romanization: jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-ji-man jo-geum deo geom-to-hae-ya hae-yo
Translation: It’s a good idea, but we need to review it a little more.
The speaker first gives a positive assessment, then introduces a limitation. - Example: 가능하지만 시간이 좀 걸려요.
Romanization: ga-neung-ha-ji-man si-ga-ni jom geol-lyeo-yo
Translation: It’s possible, but it will take some time.
This is not a complete refusal; it adds a condition.
What Is the Difference Between Korean 「-지만」 and 「-는데」? Comparing Contrast and Background Nuance
| Expression | Core nuance | Common Chinese translation | Example |
| -지만 | Acknowledges the first clause, then directly adds opposite or different information | 雖然……但是……／但…… | 비싸지만 맛있어요 |
| -는데 | First provides background needed for the second clause and can also imply contrast depending on context | ……，不過／……，可是 | 좀 비싼데 맛있어요 |
▌「-지만」 Directly Marks the Contrast Between Two Clauses
✅ 비싸지만 맛있어요.
Translation: It’s expensive, but it’s delicious.
「-지만」 directly marks the contrast between the two parts of the sentence and can be used in both conversation and written explanations.
▌「-는데」 First Provides Background and Does Not Always Mark a Clear Contrast
✅ 비싼데 맛있어요.
Translation: It’s a little expensive, but it’s delicious.
「-는데」 feels more like setting up background information first and then adding the following clause.
Everyday Examples of Korean 「-지만」: Restaurants, Plans, and Polite Replies
「-지만」 commonly appears in restaurant reviews, travel plans, polite requests, and workplace replies. It allows a sentence to retain two sides of the situation at once: the first clause presents something that is acknowledged, and the second adds the evaluation, action, or limitation the speaker actually wants to convey.
▌Situation ①｜The Restaurant Is Expensive, but the Food Is Very Good
A：그 식당 어때요?
geu sik-dang eo-ttae-yo
How is that restaurant?
B：조금 비싸지만 정말 맛있어요.
jo-geum bi-ssa-ji-man jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo
It’s a little expensive, but it’s really delicious.
📌 Grammar Point: 「비싸지만」 presents the drawback first, then the second clause adds a positive evaluation.
▌Situation ②｜Although It’s Raining, You Still Have to Go Out
A：오늘 비 오는데 갈 거예요?
o-neul bi o-neun-de gal geo-ye-yo
It’s raining today. Are you still going?
B：비가 오지만 꼭 가야 해요.
bi-ga o-ji-man kkok ga-ya hae-yo
Although it’s raining, I absolutely have to go.
📌 Grammar Point: 「오지만」 shows that the action will still take place despite an unfavorable condition.
▌Situation ③｜Using 「죄송하지만」 to Politely Explain That You Cannot Accommodate a Request
A：지금 통화 가능하세요?
ji-geum tong-hwa ga-neung-ha-se-yo
Are you available to talk on the phone right now?
B：죄송하지만 지금은 회의 중입니다.
joe-song-ha-ji-man ji-geu-meun hoe-ui jung-im-ni-da
I’m sorry, but I’m in a meeting right now.
📌 Grammar Point: 「죄송하지만」 makes the refusal sound more polite.
Cultural Notes:
- 「죄송하지만」 is not used only for refusals. It can also precede requests, questions, or explanations that require the listener’s understanding.
- The clause before 「-지만」 first states a situation that is acknowledged, while the evaluation or limitation the speaker ultimately wants to express is usually placed in the second clause.
- In workplace replies, forms such as 「가능하지만」「필요하지만」「좋은 의견이지만」 are common. They are used to acknowledge feasibility or a positive point first, then add a practical limitation.
How Does Korean 「-지만」 Compare with Japanese 「〜けれども／〜が」?
◆ Similar Grammar: Japanese 「〜けれども／〜が」
The Japanese forms 「〜けれども」 and 「〜が」 can both express contrast and are functionally similar to Korean 「-지만」. They are also commonly used to soften refusals or add limitations.
- Example: 高いですが、おいしいです.
Kana: たかいですが、おいしいです.
Translation: It’s expensive, but it’s delicious.
Japanese 「ですが」 can correspond to Korean 「비싸지만」. - Example: すみませんが、今は難しいです.
Kana: すみませんが、いまはむずかしいです.
Translation: I’m sorry, but that would be difficult right now.
Japanese 「すみませんが」 and Korean 「죄송하지만」 can both make a refusal sound more polite.
◆ Core Difference from 「-지만」:
Korean 「-지만」 can attach to verb and adjective stems, and it can also follow the past-tense form 「-았/었-」 and the conjectural or volitional form 「-겠-」. With noun predicates, 「(이)지만」 is used. In Japanese, the form before 「〜けれども／〜が」 varies depending on whether the predicate is a verb, an い-adjective, a な-adjective, or a noun. Both languages can use these forms to express contrast, but Japanese 「が」 is also commonly used to first provide background or introductory information.
Korean 「-지만」 does not always need to be translated word for word as “although…but….” The first clause acknowledges a fact, while the second adds a contrast, concession, or limitation that needs to be explained. In expressions such as 「죄송하지만」, it is usually closer to the actual nuance to understand the phrase as a polite buffer rather than literally as “although I am sorry.” As for 「-는데」, first consider whether the first clause is simply providing background information. When the contrast between the two clauses is stated directly, the meaning is usually closer to 「-지만」.
Common FAQs
Yes. Attach 「-지만」 directly to the adjective stem, as in 「비싸지만」「작지만」「예쁘지만」.
With a noun ending in a final consonant, 「이지만」 is commonly used; with a noun ending in a vowel, 「지만」 can be used. For example, 「학생이지만」「친구지만」.
In some sentences they can, but the nuance is different. 「-지만」 marks contrast clearly, while 「-는데」 is more like background setup or a softer contrast.
Yes, very commonly. It is often used to introduce a polite refusal, make a request, or explain a limitation.
Usually, yes. The first clause is often background information or an acknowledged fact, while the second clause contains the point the speaker really wants to communicate.