Example Sentences#

1. 앨리스: 앨리스는 이 말이 전혀 증명되지 않는다고 생각했지만, 계속해서 물었다.¹
   Alice: Alice thought that this statement was not proven at all, but she continued to ask.

   • 생각하다 means ‘to think’.
   • 였 is the past tense marker.
   • 지만 is a connective ending meaning ‘but’, used to contrast two clauses.

2. 지수: 그리고 사이코지만 괜찮아 봤어?²
   Jisoo: And have you watched ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’?

   • 사이코 is a loanword from English meaning ‘psycho’.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

3. 잡을 수 없지만 눈에 남아³
   Though I can’t catch it, it remains in my eyes

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

4. 자유를 꿈꾸며 달렸지만⁴
   I chased freedom in my dreams, but…

   • 달리다 means ‘to run’.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

5. 그는 매일 열심히 일했지만, 더 많은 힘과 부를 가진 사람들을 부러워했습니다.⁵
   He worked diligently every day, but envied those with more power and wealth.

   • 일하다 means ‘to work’.
   • 였 is a past tense marker.
   • 지만 is a connective ending meaning ‘but’, used to contrast two clauses.

6. 해진: 나도 떡볶이 좋아하지만, 불고기도 먹자.⁶
   Haejin: I like tteokbokki too, but let’s eat bulgogi as well.

   • 좋아하다 means ‘to like’. It is derived from the adjective 좋다 (to be good) using the pattern -아하다, which transforms adjectives into verbs to describe the feeling or perception of an emotion.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

7. 가끔 어두운 부분도 있지만, 그래도 희망적인 부분이 있어서 좋았어.²
   Although there were some dark parts at times, I still liked that there were hopeful parts.

   • 있다 means ‘to exist’.
   • 지만 is a connective ending meaning ‘but’, used to contrast two clauses.

8. 알 수 없는 길이지만 재밌어 보여³
   It’s an unknown path, yet it looks fun

   • 길 means ‘path’ or ‘road’.
   • 이다 is the copula ‘to be’.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

9. 잊으라 했지만 기억해주길⁴
   I told you to forget, but hoped you’d remember.

   • 하다 means ‘to say’ in this context.
   • 였 is a past tense marker.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

10. 비록 그는 새로운 삶을 즐겼지만, 그의 만족은 오래가지 못했습니다.⁵
    Although he enjoyed his new life, his satisfaction did not last long.

    • 즐기다 means ‘to enjoy’.
    • 었 is a past tense marker.
    • 지만 is a connective ending meaning ‘but’, used to contrast two clauses.

11. 도윤: 서준은 매운 거 좋아하지만, 우리를 위해 덜 맵게 시키자.⁶
    Doyoon: Seojun likes spicy food, but let’s order it less spicy for the rest of us.

    • 좋아하다 means ‘to like’. It is derived from the adjective 좋다 (to be good) using the pattern -아하다, which transforms adjectives into verbs to describe the feeling or perception of an emotion.
    • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

12. 태민: 나의 아저씨는 현실적이고 감동을 주는 드라마고, 사이코지만 괜찮아는 독특하고 따뜻한 느낌이 있는 드라마인 것 같아.²
    Taemin: I think ‘My Mister’ is a realistic and touching drama, while ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ is a drama with a unique and warm feeling.

    • 사이코 is a loanword from English meaning ‘psycho’.
    • 지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.

13. 둘 다 다르지만, 사람 마음에 오래 남는 그런 드라마지.²
    Both are different, but they’re the kind of dramas that remain in people’s hearts for a long time.

    • 다르다 means ‘to be different’.
    • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.