haru Korean › Grammar › Level 1A › A/V-지만
A/V-지만 — …, but … — two ideas in one sentence
…, but … — two ideas in one sentence. Korean grammar for beginner learners — Level 1A, lesson 11: 덥지만 여름이 좋아요 (It's hot, but I love summer — describing with adjectives).
What it means
-지만 means 'but' and joins two sentences into one: 더워요 + 여름이 좋아요 → 덥지만 여름이 좋아요 'It's hot, but I love summer.' Take 다 off the dictionary form and add 지만 — there is no 받침 check, and it works the same with describing words and action words. Because 지만 starts with a consonant, an ㅂ word keeps its ㅂ: 덥지만, 춥지만 (never 더워지만). For the past, put -았/었- in front: 더웠지만, 왔지만. Opposites make good 지만 sentences: 작지만 무거워요 'small but heavy', 비싸지만 맛있어요 'expensive but tasty'. When two people are compared, both usually take 은/는: 저는 커피를 마시지만 유나 씨는 안 마셔요. At the start of a new sentence, use 그렇지만 or 하지만 instead.
Forms
| Pattern | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A-지만 | describing words — no 받침 check | 덥다 + 지만 → 덥지만 |
| V-지만 | action words — no 받침 check | 먹다 + 지만 → 먹지만 |
Key points
- A/V-지만 — take off 다 and add 지만, no 받침 check: 덥지만 · 비싸지만 · 먹지만
- Before 지만 the ㅂ stays, and the past comes first: 덥지만 · 더웠지만 · 왔지만
Examples
- 덥다 → 덥지만 · 비싸다 → 비싸지만 · 먹다 → 먹지만
- 덥지만 여름이 좋아요.
- 이 가방은 작지만 무거워요.
- 저는 커피를 마시지만 유나 씨는 안 마셔요.
- 어제는 더웠지만 오늘은 시원해요.
Where university textbooks teach it
This point also appears in: Seoul National University Korean 1A, lesson 7; Yonsei University Korean 1-1, lesson 9; Ewha Womans University Korean 2-1, lesson 2; Hongik University Korean 1B, lesson 8; Hanyang University Korean 1-2, lesson 6.
Also in this lesson
- A-아요/어요 · N이/가 A — describing words — the weather is nice
- ㅂ 불규칙 — ㅂ words — 덥다 becomes 더워요
- -습니다/-습니까 — the formal style — the news, speeches and announcements