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너무 vs 많이

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Explanation

많이 means “a lot / much / many” and is the safe choice for quantity: 많이 먹었어요 (I ate a lot).

너무 traditionally means “too (excessively)”. 너무 매워요 (it’s too spicy). In modern speech, younger speakers also use 너무 as a strong “really”: 너무 좋아요.

On tests and careful writing, prefer 많이 for pure quantity and 정말/아주 for “very,” and keep 너무 when you mean excess or intentional modern intensifier tone.

Minimal pair drill: 많이 먹어 (quantity) vs 너무 매워 (excess). If English “too” is wrong, try 많이 or 정말 first.

Examples

물을 많이 마셔요.

I drink a lot of water.

이 라면은 너무 매워요.

This ramyeon is too spicy.

오늘 날씨 정말 좋아요.

The weather is really nice today. (safe “very”)

Common mistakes

Using 너무 for every “a lot” (quantity → 많이).
Using 많이 when you mean painful excess (“too”).

All common mistakes

Keep learning

안녕하세요 vs 안녕하십니까 안녕하세요 vs 안녕 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요 여보세요 vs 안녕하세요 처음 뵙겠습니다 vs 만나서 반갑습니다 은/는 vs 이/가 줘 vs 주세요 안 vs 못

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