elementary · freeInteractive lesson
만 vs 밖에
Try it freeContrast quizPick the right form in a mini quiz.Open →Explanation
만 attaches to a noun: 물만 마셨어요.
밖에 requires a negative predicate: 물밖에 없어요 = I only have water.
Do not use 밖에 with affirmative verbs in the standard pattern.
Mistake: 물밖에 있어요 intending “only water.”
Level: elementary. Read both sides of the contrast, say the examples out loud, then write one correct and one incorrect sentence and fix it.
Cross-link: open the related grammar or tools page the same day so the fix sticks in your study graph.
Examples
한국어만 공부해요.
I only study Korean.
천 원밖에 없어요.
I only have 1,000 won.
Common mistakes
- Translating the English pair word-for-word without checking which Korean form carries the real distinction.
- Treating the two forms as free synonyms after memorizing only one example.
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