Just have to

This pattern is used to express that only one specific action is needed to resolve a situation or achieve a goal. It simplifies a task down to its most essential component, often to reassure the listener.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: "All you have to do is (Verb)" or "You just need to (Verb)."

Function: It isolates a single necessary action, implying that everything else is either taken care of or irrelevant.

Formation

It's formed by attaching -기만 하면 되다 to a verb stem.

Verb Stem + -기만 하면 되다

오다 (to come) → 오 + -기만 하면 되다 → 오기만 하면 되다

듣다 (to listen) → 듣 + -기만 하면 되다 → 듣기만 하면 되다

먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + -기만 하면 되다 → 먹기만 하면 되다

너는 오기만 하면 돼. / 기다리기만 하면 돼. / 외우기만 하면 돼. / 내 말 듣기만 하면 돼.

While the main pattern uses -기만 with verbs, a very common variation uses -만 directly with a noun. This highlights that only a specific thing or noun-based action is required.

Structure

Noun + -만 + [Appropriate Verb] + -(으)면 되다

Instead of nominalizing a verb with -기, you attach -만 to the noun and follow it with the relevant verb.

돈 (money) + 만 + 내다 (to pay) → 돈만 내면 돼. (You just have to pay the money.)

버튼 (button) + 만 + 누르다 (to press) → 버튼만 누르면 돼. (You just have to press the button.)

Nuance

This form is extremely common for simple, concrete actions involving an object. 서명만 하면 돼 (You just have to sign) and 서명하기만 하면 돼 (All you have to do is the act of signing) are very close in meaning, but the noun-focused version is often more direct and frequent in daily speech.

돈만 내면 돼. / 버튼만 누르면 돼요. / 서명만 하면 돼. / 대답만 하면 돼요.

This pattern shines when you want to make something sound incredibly simple, often to encourage or reassure someone.

Reassurance

It's perfect for calming someone's worries. If a friend is nervous about a party where they don't know anyone, you can say:

걱정 마. 그냥 내 옆에 앉아 있기만 하면 돼. (Don't worry. All you have to do is just sit next to me.)

Simplifying Instructions

It's also used to give clear, simple instructions, cutting through any potential confusion.

다른 건 다 준비됐어. 너는 오기만 하면 돼. (Everything else is ready. You just have to come.)

이 기계는 사용법이 간단해요. 이 버튼만 누르면 돼요. (This machine is simple to use. You just have to press this button.)

내 말 듣기만 하면 돼. / 제 말 듣기만 하면 돼요. / 앉아 있기만 하면 돼. / 앉아 있기만 하면 돼요.

This pattern can be easily adjusted for politeness by changing the ending 돼 to 돼요.

Casual Form: -기만 하면 돼

Use -돼 when speaking to close friends, family, or people younger than you. It's the standard casual (반말) form.

Example: 너는 먹기만 하면 돼. (All you have to do is eat.)

Polite Form: -기만 하면 돼요

Use -돼요 when speaking to people you don't know well, colleagues, or anyone you need to show respect to. This is the standard polite (해요체) form.

Example: 드시기만 하면 돼요. (All you have to do is eat. - using the honorific verb 드시다)

The script lines consistently show this simple switch.

너는 오기만 하면 돼. / 호리 씨는 오기만 하면 돼요. / 따라하기만 하면 돼. / 따라하기만 하면 돼요. / 믿기만 하면 돼. / 믿기만 하면 돼요.