beginner · freeInteractive lesson
-지만
Try it freeComplete examples with -지만Apply the formation rule before moving into the related grammar path.Open →Explanation
Contrast connector.
Works on V/A.
Start with “작지만 편해요.” (Small but comfy.). Say the whole sentence first, then identify exactly what -지만 contributes before changing any other words.
Compare “가고 싶지만 못 가요.” with “비싸지만 사요.”. Keep the function of -지만 the same while noticing what changes around it; then rebuild one of the examples with vocabulary you already know.
Examples
작지만 편해요.
Small but comfy.
가고 싶지만 못 가요.
Want to go but can't.
비싸지만 사요.
Expensive but I buy.
Common mistakes
- Do not choose -지만 only because an English translation contains “but”. Check the Korean function, attachment, and speech level in the full sentence.
- Do not memorize -지만 as an isolated ending. Mark the stem or phrase it attaches to in one example, then rebuild that example with new vocabulary.
How to practice
- Production check: say “작지만 편해요.” naturally, then change one content word without changing the job -지만 is doing.
- When a related pattern is listed below, compare both forms in the same situation instead of memorizing two English glosses separately.
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Use -지만 in guided examples and review so it moves from explanation to active Korean.
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