What does 밖 mean?

밖 (bakk)

밖 means 'outside' or 'exterior' and is used to indicate location outside something.

Illustration showing outside area labeled as 밖

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(bakk)

밖 means the outside or exterior of a space or place, not inside. It can be a noun or an adverb.

Nuances

  • Besides meaning 'outside', '밖에' in negative sentences means 'only' or 'nothing but'.
  • '밖' can be used literally or figuratively.
  • Depending on position, '밖' functions as a noun or adverb.

When to use

Everyday conversation, Describing location, Expressing limitation

In context

밖 is mainly used as a noun to indicate a place or as an adverb to describe spatial location. It usually appears after the subject or with verbs to show where an action occurs. When combined with the particle '에' as '밖에', it expresses limitation or exclusivity.

Real-world examples

  • ⭕ 문 밖에 누가 있어요.

    ⭕ mun bakk-e nu-ga iss-eo-yo., ⭕ mun bakk e nu ga iss eo yo.

    '밖에' correctly indicates the location outside the door.

  • ⭕ 우리는 밖에서 놀았어요.

    ⭕ u-ri-neun bakk-e-seo nol-ass-eo-yo., ⭕ u ri neun bakk e seo nol ass eo yo.

    '밖에서' correctly shows the action happened outside.

  • ❌ 나는 밖을 안 좋아해요.

    ❌ na-neun bakk-eul an joh-a-hae-yo., ❌ na neun bakk eul an joh a hae yo.

    '밖' alone without a particle is unnatural here; usually used with particles.

  • ⭕ 밖에 비가 와요.

    ⭕ bakk-e bi-ga wa-yo., ⭕ bakk e bi ga wa yo.

    '밖에' here correctly functions as an adverb indicating location.

  • ⭕ 나는 밖에 친구가 한 명밖에 없어요.

    ⭕ na-neun bakk-e chin-gu-ga han myeong-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., ⭕ na neun bakk e chin gu ga han myeong bakk e eop eo yo.

    '밖에' expresses limitation meaning 'only' in negative context.

  • ❌ 밖에 학교 갔어요.

    ❌ bakk-e hak-gyo gass-eo-yo., ❌ bakk e hak gyo gass eo yo.

    '밖에' without '에서' is incorrect for indicating action location.

Quick quiz

  1. Which is NOT a meaning of 밖?

    밖의 의미가 아닌 것은?(bakk-uiui-mi-gaa-ningeos-eun?, bakkuiuimigaaningeoseun?)
  2. Which sentence uses '밖' to indicate location?

    다음 중 '밖'이 장소를 나타내는 문장은?(da-eumjung'bakk'ijang-so-reulna-ta-nae-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'bakk'ijangsoreulnatanaeneunmunjangeun?)
  3. Which sentence uses '밖에' to express limitation?

    '밖에'가 제한의 의미로 쓰인 문장은?('bakk-e'gaje-han-uiui-mi-rosseu-inmun-jang-eun?, 'bakke'gajehanuiuimirosseuinmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

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