Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-지만
but, although
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Links two contrasting facts: 'A, but B'. Tense can go before it (갔지만, 갈 거지만). Also used in polite openers: 죄송하지만, 실례지만.
Forming it
| 비싸다 | → 비싸지만 |
| 먹다 | → 먹지만 |
| 춥다 | → 춥지만 |
| 학생 | → 학생이지만 |
Examples
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult but fun.
어제는 추웠지만 오늘은 따뜻해요.
It was cold yesterday, but today it's warm.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄴ/는데 is softer and can simply give background, not only contrast; -지만 always marks a clear contrast.