-밖에 Particles

Keyword #
Only, Just
 
 
3 Sentence Summary of This Lesson:
  • 밖에 means "only" but with a negative nuance, always paired with negative verb forms like 안 or 못
  • It attaches to nouns and can stack with 에/에서, 에게/한테, (으)로, but not with subject/object/topic particles (가/이, 을/를, 은/는)
  • Example: 한국어밖에 못해요 (I can only speak Korean) — the particle replaces subject/object markers directly
 
밖에 means “none other than.” It is kind of like “only,” but with a negative view. It is also added to the end of nouns.
 
오늘밖에 시간이 없어요. (I don’t have time any other day than today. )
 
밖에 follows the same rules when it comes to stacking with other particles.
 
You can stack 밖에 with:
  • 에/에서 (to/at/in): 미국에밖에 안 가봤어요. (I’ve only been to the U.S.)
  • 에게/한테 (to someone): 철수한테밖에 안 얘기했어요. (I’ve only told Chul Soo)
  • (으)로 (by/with): 거기는 기차로밖에 못 가요. (You can only get there by train.)
 
As per the rules, 밖에 cannot be stacked with the subject, object, and topic particles.
 
And as 밖에 is a negative note, the next part of the sentence will also be negative.
 
X 영미가밖에 안 왔어요. → O 영미밖에 안 왔어요. (Only Young Mi came.)
X 한국어는밖에 못해요. → O 한국어밖에 못해요. (I can only speak Korean.)
X 저는 이 사탕을밖에 안 먹어요. → O 저는 이 사탕밖에 안 먹어요. (I only eat this candy.)
 
 
 
Try the following exercise.
Place 만 in the correct blank to match the translation. Fill in the other blanks with subject, object, topic, and time/place particles.
 
  1. 이 토끼___ 당근___ 먹어요.
      2. This rabbit only eats carrots.
Answer
토끼는, 당근만
 
  1. 저___ 콜라___ 마셔요.
      2. I only drink coke.
Answer
저는, 콜라만
 
  1. 오늘___ 철수___ 안 왔어요.
      2. Only today, Chul Soo didn’t come.
Answer
오늘만, 철수가
 
  1. 마트___ 아이스크림___ 살 수 있어요.
      2. You can only buy ice cream at the supermarket.
Answer
마트에서만, 아이스크림을
 
  1. 2월___ 공부___ 할 거예요.
      2. In February, I am only going to study.
Answer
2월에는, 공부만
 
  1. 그사람___ 답장___ 할 수 있어요.
      2. Only he can answer.
Answer
그사람만, 답장을
 
  1. 산책___ 하고 집___ 들어가요.
      2. I only go for a walk and then go back home.
Answer
산책만, 집에
 
 
  1. 저___ 요리___ 잘해요.
      2. I’m only good at cooking.
Answer
저는, 요리만
 
  1. 게임___ 하고 공부___ 안 해요.
      2. I only play video games and don’t study.
Answer
게임만, 공부는
 
  1. 지금___ 문자___ 할 수 있어요.
      2. Right now, I can only text.
Answer
지금은, 문자만
 
 
 
* For more practice exercises, visit the ‘Practice Hub’.
 
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