Core Pattern Rule: -마저 (Even the Last Thing)
The particle -마저 attaches to a noun to express that the very last remaining thing has also been affected, usually in a negative way. It carries a strong nuance of disappointment, as if saying, "this was the last straw."
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "Even (this last thing)," "...too (on top of everything else)."
When to use: Use it when a series of unfortunate events has occurred, and you're pointing out the final, often unexpected, negative outcome. It's almost exclusively used in negative contexts.
Formation
Simply attach -마저 directly to a noun, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Noun + 마저
너 (you) + 마저 → 너마저
희망 (hope) + 마저 → 희망마저
돈 (money) + 마저 → 돈마저
너마저 떠나는구나. / 마지막 희망마저 사라졌어. / 돈마저 다 썼어.
Synonyms & Differences: -마저 vs. -도 vs. -까지
Korean has several particles that can translate to "even" or "also," but they have distinct nuances. Confusing them is a common mistake.
-마저 (The last straw): Used for the very last item in a negative sequence. It implies that everything else has already gone wrong, and now this final thing has too.
건강마저 나빠졌어. (I lost my job, my house, and now even my health—the last thing I had—got worse.)
-도 (Also/Too): The most neutral particle for adding something to a list. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts without any special emphasis.
건강도 나빠졌어. (My finances got worse, and my health also got worse.)
-까지 (Even/To the extent of): Emphasizes an extreme or unexpected addition. It doesn't necessarily mean it's the last thing, just that it's a surprising one.
건강까지 나빠졌어. (On top of all my other problems, even my health got worse—I can't believe it.)
In short, use -마저 only when you want to convey that the final hope or remaining element is now gone.
너마저 나를 배신하는구나. / 1등마저 떨어졌어. / 전기마저 끊겼어.
Politeness & Formality
The particle -마저 itself does not change based on politeness. The overall formality of the sentence is determined by the verb ending.
Most of the script lines appear in pairs, showing how the same idea is expressed in casual speech (반말) and standard polite speech (해요체).
Casual (반말): Uses endings like -어/아, -네, or -구나.
친구마저 등을 돌렸어. (Even my friend turned their back on me.)
Polite (해요체): Uses endings like -아요/어요 or -네요.
친구마저 등을 돌렸어요. (Even my friend turned their back on me.)
Notice how only the final verb changes, while -마저 remains the same.
날씨마저 나를 안 도와주네. / 날씨마저 저를 안 도와주네요. / 막차마저 끊겼어. / 막차마저 끊겼어요.