The contrastive connective -지만 (but, however)
I can express contrast and opposing ideas using -지만
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult but fun.
비싸지만 사고 싶어요.
It's expensive, but I want to buy it.
어제 많이 먹었지만 아직 배고파요.
I ate a lot yesterday, but I'm still hungry.
작지만 편해요.
It's small but comfortable.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The ending -지만 expresses contrast, attached to the verb/adjective stem.
| Verb/Adj | Stem | + -지만 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 좋다 (good) | 좋 | 좋지만 | is good but... |
| 먹다 (eat) | 먹 | 먹지만 | eat but... |
| 비싸다 (expensive) | 비싸 | 비싸지만 | is expensive but... |
| 크다 (big) | 크 | 크지만 | is big but... |
Unlike -아/어서: -지만 CAN take tense on the first clause:
| Present | Past |
|---|---|
| 비싸지만 좋아요 | 비쌌지만 좋았어요 |
| expensive but good | was expensive but was good |
Usage notes:
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesConfuse -지만 with -는데 (both translated as 'but' in English).
Used -지만 where -는데 would be more natural (background context)
-지만 = direct contrast. -는데 = setting up background/context before a request or new information
Applied vowel harmony to -지만 (unnecessary)
-지만 always stays the same regardless of stem vowel — no harmony needed
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult but fun.
어렵 + -지만 = 어렵지만 (difficult but). Contrasts difficulty with enjoyment.
비싸지만 사고 싶어요.
It's expensive, but I want to buy it.
비싸 + -지만 = 비싸지만. The second clause shows a contrasting desire.
어제 많이 먹었지만 아직 배고파요.
I ate a lot yesterday, but I'm still hungry.
먹었 + -지만 = 먹었지만. Past tense IS allowed before -지만 (unlike -아/어서).
작지만 편해요.
It's small but comfortable.
작 + -지만 = 작지만 (small but). Two contrasting qualities of the same thing.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises