많이 (man-i, mani) · 너무 (neo-mu, neomu) · 아주 (a-ju, aju)
많이 (mani), 너무 (neomu), and 아주 (aju) all express degree, but 많이 indicates quantity or frequency, 너무 conveys excessive or negative degree, and 아주 emphasizes a strong positive degree.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adverb indicating a large amount or frequency
When to use
Quantity expression, Frequency expression, Degree of action or state
The nuance
‘많이’ is used to express large quantity or frequency and can be used in both positive and negative contexts. It usually modifies verbs to indicate the degree of an action or state.
An adverb expressing excessive or strongly negative degree
When to use
Negative excess, Excessive emotion, Informal positive emphasis
The nuance
‘너무’ originally means ‘excessively’ and is mainly used to emphasize an excessive degree in negative contexts. In positive contexts, it is used only informally and limitedly.
An adverb expressing strong positive degree
When to use
Positive emphasis, Modifying adjectives, Expressing states
The nuance
‘아주’ emphasizes a strong positive meaning and is mainly used with adjectives or adverbs to strongly express a good state or quality. It is rarely used in negative contexts.
그는 많이 공부했다.
geu-neun man-i gong-bu-haess-da., geu neun man i gong bu haess da.
‘많이’ correctly indicates a large amount of studying.
그는 너무 공부했다.
geu-neun neo-mu gong-bu-haess-da., geu neun neo mu gong bu haess da.
‘너무’ expresses excessive studying, implying a negative nuance.
그는 아주 공부했다.
geu-neun a-ju gong-bu-haess-da., geu neun a ju gong bu haess da.
‘아주’ is awkward with the verb ‘study’; it mainly modifies adjectives.
이 음식이 많이 맛있다.
i eum-sik-i man-i mas-iss-da., i eum sik i man i mas iss da.
‘많이’ does not modify adjectives like ‘delicious’.
이 음식이 너무 맛있다.
i eum-sik-i neo-mu mas-iss-da., i eum sik i neo mu mas iss da.
‘너무’ is commonly used informally to emphasize positive meaning.
이 음식이 아주 맛있다.
i eum-sik-i a-ju mas-iss-da., i eum sik i a ju mas iss da.
‘아주’ strongly emphasizes the adjective ‘delicious’.
나는 많이 피곤하다.
na-neun man-i pi-gon-ha-da., na neun man i pi gon ha da.
‘많이’ does not properly modify adjectives like ‘tired’.
나는 아주 피곤하다.
na-neun a-ju pi-gon-ha-da., na neun a ju pi gon ha da.
‘아주’ properly emphasizes the adjective ‘tired’.
When should you use ‘너무’?
Which sentence correctly uses ‘아주’?
Which sentence fits ‘많이’?
What does it mean?
