도 vs 만: Korean Also vs Only Particles

도 adds; 만 limits. That is the easiest way to remember this pair.

• 저도 가요. → I am going too.
• 저만 가요. → Only I am going.
• 물도 주세요. → Please give me water too.
• 물만 주세요. → Please give me only water.

Chamelingo’s free 도/만 grammar reference covers the core pattern with interactive examples.

도: also, too, even

Use 도 when you add something to an existing statement.

A: 저는 한국어를 공부해요. → I study Korean.

B: 저도 한국어를 공부해요. → I study Korean too.

More examples:

• 커피도 좋아해요. → I like coffee too.
• 오늘도 일해요. → I work today too / again today.
• 이것도 맛있어요. → This is delicious too.

Depending on context, 도 can become stronger and mean even:

• 아이도 알아요. → Even a child knows.

Do not force “also” into every translation. The core meaning is addition or inclusion.

만: only, just

Use 만 to restrict the sentence.

• 한국어만 공부해요. → I study only Korean.
• 오늘만 쉬어요. → I am resting only today.
• 한 개만 주세요. → Please give me just one.
• 물만 마셔요. → I drink only water.

This is useful very early because it lets you make precise requests without more complicated grammar.

They often replace basic particles

Compare the object marker:

• 커피를 마셔요. → I drink coffee.
• 커피도 마셔요. → I drink coffee too.
• 커피만 마셔요. → I drink only coffee.

For a beginner, it is usually better to think of 도/만 as taking the slot of 을/를 here.

The same can happen with 은/는 and 이/가.

But location particles can combine

You will often see:

• 학교에도 가요. → I go to school too.
• 집에서만 공부해요. → I study only at home.
• 서울에만 있어요. → I am only in Seoul.

The location relationship still matters, so 에 or 에서 stays before 도/만.

Review 에 vs 에서 if that distinction is not automatic yet.

Meaning changes with one particle

Compare:

• 친구도 왔어요. → My friend came too.
• 친구만 왔어요. → Only my friend came.
• 친구는 왔어요. → As for my friend, they came. This can imply contrast.

These tiny endings tell the listener how the noun fits into the conversation.

Mini practice

Choose 도 or 만.

1. “I like K-pop too.” → 케이팝도 좋아해요.
2. “I only eat vegetables.” → 채소만 먹어요.
3. “Please give me one only.” → 한 개만 주세요.
4. “I study on weekends too.” → 주말에도 공부해요.

Continue the particle cluster

• 은/는 vs 이/가
• 을/를 object particle
• Korean particles overview
• Particle checker
• 도/만 interactive reference

If you remember 도 = include more and 만 = exclude everything else, most beginner sentences become straightforward.