여러분, 안녕하세요! Welcome back to another episode of TOPIK & Beyond, where we help you improve your Korean and ace the TOPIK exam while having fun. Today, we’re talking about something that may seem small but can make a big impact on how you speak and write Korean—particles!
Specifically, we’ll be focusing on three commonly confused particles: -도, -만, and -밖에. If you’ve ever mixed up “also,” “only,” and “nothing but,” don’t worry—you’re not alone! Today, I’ll help you master the differences so you can create clear, natural sentences in Korean. 준비됐나요? 그럼 시작해 봅시다!
🎵 [Cue Music] 🎵
다시 안녕하세요! 저는 엘라이자입니다. Welcome to TOPIK & Beyond. I’m excited about today’s topic because particles are one of those things that seem small and simple at first but can really trip you up. I know that students often get confused with -도 (also) and -만 (only), and don’t even get me started on -밖에 (nothing but)—that negative verb rule really got my students!
But once you understand how they work, particles become a powerful tool for expressing exactly what you want to say. Plus, they show up all the time on the TOPIK exam, so mastering them can help boost your score in both the reading and writing sections. Let’s dive in!
History/Story/Overview
Let’s start by understanding why particles are so important. In Korean, particles follow nouns and give extra meaning to sentences. But the tricky part is that some particles, like -도, -만, and -밖에, seem similar but can completely change the meaning of a sentence if you mix them up.
I once had a student who was trying to say, “I only have 5,000 won,” but instead of using -밖에, he used -도 and ended up saying something closer to “I also have 5,000 won.” 😂 It was a small mistake, but it really showed me how important it is to teach these particles right!
Today, I’ll break down their differences, give you practical examples, and help you avoid common mistakes. Ready? Let’s go!
Related Vocabulary, Phrases, and Grammar
먼저 중요한 단어들과 예문들을 살펴봅시다! Let’s take a look at the three particles and how they work:
1) -도 (do) – Also, Too
* Usage: Adds inclusion, meaning “also” or “too.”
* Placement: Follows the noun or verb to indicate that the action or object is included in the context.
Example Sentences:
* 나도 갈 거야. (I’m going too.)
* 그 책도 읽었어요. (I read that book too.)
A common mistake with -도 is overusing it, which can make your sentences sound redundant or unclear. For example:
* Incorrect: 저는 물도, 커피도, 주스도 마셨어요. (I drank water, coffee, and juice too.) – This can sound confusing or excessive.
* Instead, simplify: 저는 물도 마셨어요. (I drank water too.) (And of course, there are other connectors that you can use, like 그리고)
2) -만 (man) – Only
* Usage: Limits the focus of the sentence to a single action or object, meaning “only.”
* Placement: Follows the noun or verb to indicate exclusivity.
Example Sentences:
* 물만 마셨어요. (I only drank water.)
* 주말에만 운동해요. (I only exercise on weekends.)
A common confusion happens between -만 and -밖에. While they both limit options, -만 can be used in positive contexts, while -밖에 requires a negative verb. For example:
* -만: 사과만 먹었어요. (I only ate apples.)
* -밖에: 사과밖에 없었어요. (There were only apples.)
3) -밖에 (bakke) – Nothing but, Only (used with negative verbs)
* Usage: Expresses limitation or lack of options.
* Placement: Follows the noun, and must be used with a negative verb.
Example Sentences:
* 돈이 천 원밖에 없어요. (I only have 1,000 won.)
* 그 책을 한 번밖에 읽지 않았어요. (I only read that book once.)
This is where many learners make mistakes—-밖에 always requires a negative verb like 없다 (to not have) or 못하다 (cannot do).
* Incorrect: 돈이 천 원밖에 있습니다.
* Correct: 돈이 천 원밖에 없어요.
Grammar Spotlight: -밖에 + Negative Verb
Let’s take a closer look at -밖에. As I mentioned, it must be followed by a negative verb, and here are some common verbs to practice:
* 없다 (to not have): 시간이 조금밖에 없어요. (I only have a little time.)
* 못하다 (cannot do): 저는 오늘 공부를 한 시간밖에 못 했어요. (Today, I could only study for one hour.)
* 않다 (to not do): 어제는 저녁을 조금밖에 먹지 않았어요. (Yesterday, I only ate a little for dinner.)
Try creating your own sentences using -밖에 + negative verbs to get more comfortable with this structure!
TOPIK Focus
Now, how do these particles help you on the TOPIK exam?
1. Reading Section:
In the reading section, you’ll often see particles used to convey important details. For example, knowing the difference between -도 and -만 can help you understand whether the passage is talking about inclusion or limitation.
2. Writing Section:
In your essays, using particles correctly shows that you have precise control over grammar and meaning.
Example Writing Prompt:
"Describe a situation where you felt you had limited options using -밖에."
Sample Answer:
저는 주말에 시간이 한 시간밖에 없어서 영화를 한 편밖에 볼 수 없었어요. (I only had one hour on the weekend, so I could only watch one movie.)
여러분, 오늘 배운 -도, -만, -밖에를 꼭 연습해 보세요! I’d love to see your practice sentences, so feel free to share them on Instagram.
📸 Tag me at @korean.joaacademy and use #topikandbeyond.
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감사합니다, 여러분! 다음 에피소드에서 만나요! 😊
