-지만
Quick answer: -지만 means but — joins two sentences that pull in different directions.
How to form it
Stem + 지만 · same form after any stem · 비가 오지만 안 추워요
In Korean: 어간 + 지만 받침과 상관없습니다 비가 오지만 안 추워요
What to know
지만 sits on the first verb, not between the two sentences the way English but does. Say 맵지만 맛있어요 — one word carries the contrast, and there is nothing extra in the middle.
Examples
- 비가 오지만 안 추워요.It's raining but it isn't cold.
- 김치찌개는 맵지만 맛있어요.Kimchi stew is spicy but delicious.
- 수업이 많지만 재미있어요.I have a lot of classes but they're interesting.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 16: 비가 오지만 안 추워요 — It's raining but it isn't cold. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -지 않다.
Go deeper: our full article on this pattern.
Practise -지만 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 16 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.