하지만 (ha-ji-man, hajiman) · 그런데 (geu-reon-de, geureonde) · 그렇지만 (geu-reoh-ji-man, geureohjiman)
하지만, 그런데, and 그렇지만 all express contrast, but their usage depends on context and nuance differences.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A contrastive conjunction emphasizing opposition or contradiction to the previous sentence
When to use
strong contrast emphasis, expressing objection, sentence-initial position
The nuance
Usually placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence to express strong contrast or objection.
A connector used to smoothly link slightly different situations or information from the previous statement
When to use
topic shift, background explanation, soft connection
The nuance
Mainly used at the beginning of sentences to naturally shift topics or provide background information in conversations or writing.
Similar to 하지만, expressing contrast but more formal and closer to written language
When to use
formal contrast, written style, official sentences
The nuance
Placed at the beginning or middle of sentences, used in formal or written contexts to express contrast.
나는 피자를 좋아한다. 하지만 어제는 샐러드를 먹었다.
na-neun pi-ja-reul joh-a-han-da. ha-ji-man eo-je-neun sael-reo-deu-reul meok-eoss-da., na neun pi ja reul joh a han da. ha ji man eo je neun sael reo deu reul meok eoss da.
Strong contrast is naturally expressed; '하지만' is appropriate.
나는 피자를 좋아한다. 그런데 어제는 샐러드를 먹었다.
na-neun pi-ja-reul joh-a-han-da. geu-reon-de eo-je-neun sael-reo-deu-reul meok-eoss-da., na neun pi ja reul joh a han da. geu reon de eo je neun sael reo deu reul meok eoss da.
Smoothly connects slightly different information; '그런데' fits well.
나는 피자를 좋아한다. 그렇지만 어제는 샐러드를 먹었다.
na-neun pi-ja-reul joh-a-han-da. geu-reoh-ji-man eo-je-neun sael-reo-deu-reul meok-eoss-da., na neun pi ja reul joh a han da. geu reoh ji man eo je neun sael reo deu reul meok eoss da.
Formal and written-style contrast expression; '그렇지만' is suitable.
나는 피자를 좋아한다. 그리고 어제는 샐러드를 먹었다.
na-neun pi-ja-reul joh-a-han-da. geu-ri-go eo-je-neun sael-reo-deu-reul meok-eoss-da., na neun pi ja reul joh a han da. geu ri go eo je neun sael reo deu reul meok eoss da.
'그리고' indicates addition, not contrast; thus incorrect.
그는 열심히 공부했다. 그런데 시험을 잘 봤다.
geu-neun yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-haess-da. geu-reon-de si-heom-eul jal bwass-da., geu neun yeol sim hi gong bu haess da. geu reon de si heom eul jal bwass da.
'그런데' signals topic shift, but here the result is expected; inappropriate.
그는 열심히 공부했다. 하지만 시험을 잘 봤다.
geu-neun yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-haess-da. ha-ji-man si-heom-eul jal bwass-da., geu neun yeol sim hi gong bu haess da. ha ji man si heom eul jal bwass da.
Expresses contrast well; '하지만' is correct.
그는 열심히 공부했다. 그렇지만 시험을 잘 봤다.
geu-neun yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-haess-da. geu-reoh-ji-man si-heom-eul jal bwass-da., geu neun yeol sim hi gong bu haess da. geu reoh ji man si heom eul jal bwass da.
Formal contrast expression; '그렇지만' is suitable.
나는 오늘 바쁘다. 하지만 그래서 못 갔다.
na-neun o-neul ba-ppeu-da. ha-ji-man geu-rae-seo mos gass-da., na neun o neul ba ppeu da. ha ji man geu rae seo mos gass da.
'하지만' and '그래서' contradict; cannot be used together.
Which connector is most suitable for formal, written contrast?
Which connector is mainly used to smoothly shift topics or explain background in conversation?
Which connector naturally expresses strong objection or contrast?
What does it mean?
