그냥 (geu-nyang, geunyang) · 그저 (geu-jeo, geujeo) · 단지 (dan-ji, danji)
그냥, 그저, and 단지 all express simplicity, but each carries different nuances of emotion, emphasis, and limitation, so choosing the right one depends on context.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates a natural or casual state without special reason or purpose
When to use
casual talk, expressing feelings, careless action
The nuance
Used in everyday speech when emotions or actions occur without special reason; can be positive or negative and feels casual or light.
Used to emphasize that only one state or action is happening without alternatives or expectations
When to use
literary style, emotional emphasis, limited situation
The nuance
Mostly used in literary or emotional contexts, emphasizing limitation with phrases like '그저 ~뿐이다' (just only).
Used to limit to only one reason or condition
When to use
formal writing, logical limitation, comparison/rebuttal
The nuance
Often used in formal or logical sentences, clearly limiting with '단지 ~뿐이다' in comparisons or rebuttals.
그냥 집에 있었어요.
geu-nyang jip-e iss-eoss-eo-yo., geu nyang jip e iss eoss eo yo.
Casually expresses staying home without special reason in everyday conversation.
그냥 그 사람이 좋아서요.
geu-nyang geu sa-ram-i joh-a-seo-yo., geu nyang geu sa ram i joh a seo yo.
Appropriate for expressing liking someone without special reason.
그냥 공부만 했어요.
geu-nyang gong-bu-man haess-eo-yo., geu nyang gong bu man haess eo yo.
Naturally means studying only without special purpose or care.
그저 집에 있었어요.
geu-jeo jip-e iss-eoss-eo-yo., geu jeo jip e iss eoss eo yo.
Sounds too literary and emotional for casual talk, unnatural here.
그저 그 사람이 좋아서요.
geu-jeo geu sa-ram-i joh-a-seo-yo., geu jeo geu sa ram i joh a seo yo.
Using '그저' for feelings is overly literary and unnatural.
그저 공부만 했어요.
geu-jeo gong-bu-man haess-eo-yo., geu jeo gong bu man haess eo yo.
'그저' is not suitable for casual actions outside literary style.
그저 행복할 뿐이다.
geu-jeo haeng-bok-hal ppun-i-da., geu jeo haeng bok hal ppun i da.
Proper literary emotional emphasis with '그저 ~뿐이다' form.
단지 그것만 원해요.
dan-ji geu-geos-man won-hae-yo., dan ji geu geos man won hae yo.
Formal and clear when limiting to one condition.
Which is more natural for expressing feelings: '그냥' or '그저'?
When is '단지' most appropriate?
Which sentence should use '그저'?
What does it mean?
