V+지만

Overview

The connective ending -지만 is used to link two clauses, indicating a contrast or concession between them. It functions similarly to "but" or "although" in English, presenting information in the second clause that stands in opposition to or is unexpected given the first clause.

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Usage

-지만 is attached to the stem of a verb or adjective to express that the content of the following clause is contrary to or different from the preceding clause. It can be used for:

1. Direct Contrast: Stating two facts that are different from each other.
   • Example: 날씨는 춥지만 하늘은 맑아요. (The weather is cold, but the sky is clear.)
2. Concession: Acknowledging the first clause while presenting an unexpected or opposing idea in the second.
   • Example: 한국말은 어렵지만 재미있어요. (Korean is difficult, but it's interesting.)
3. Background Information with a Twist: Providing context in the first clause, then introducing a contrasting or unexpected element.
   • Example: 어제 영화를 봤지만 내용은 기억이 안 나요. (I watched a movie yesterday, but I don't remember the plot.)

The nuance is that the information in the first clause is true, but it doesn't prevent the information in the second clause from also being true, even if it's contradictory or surprising.

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Conjugation Rules

The conjugation for -지만 is straightforward as it attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

• Verb/Adjective Stem + -지만

  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹 + 지만 = 먹지만 (I eat, but...)
  • 가다 (to go) -> 가 + 지만 = 가지만 (I go, but...)
  • 예쁘다 (to be pretty) -> 예쁘 + 지만 = 예쁘지만 (It's pretty, but...)
  • 작다 (to be small) -> 작 + 지만 = 작지만 (It's small, but...)
  • 있다 (to exist/have) -> 있 + 지만 = 있지만 (There is, but...)
  • 없다 (to not exist/have) -> 없 + 지만 = 없지만 (There isn't, but...)

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Knowledge Plus

• -지만 can be used with both descriptive verbs (adjectives) and action verbs.
• While often translated as "but," -지만 can also convey a sense of "although" or "even though," especially when the second clause presents an unexpected outcome.
• It's a relatively neutral connective ending. For stronger contrast or more emphasis on the unexpected nature, other endings like -는데/은데 or -아/어서 (when used for background) might be considered, though their primary functions differ.
• -지만 can also be used to politely disagree or introduce a different opinion after someone else's statement, similar to "Yes, but..."
  • Example: A: 이 옷 예쁘죠? (This clothes is pretty, isn't it?) B: 예쁘지만 저한테는 좀 작아요. (It's pretty, but it's a bit small for me.)