How to use 을/ㄹ 뿐이다 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 (-(eu)ㄹppun-i-da, (eu)ㄹppunida)

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 emphasizes that an action or state is the only thing happening.

Korean grammar -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 usage explanation

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다(-(eu)ㄹppun-i-da, (eu)ㄹppunida)

Expresses 'only' or 'just' doing something, nothing more.

When to use

explaining situation, self-defense, emphasizing fact

The nuance

Attach -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 to a verb stem to mean 'only do that action'. It can describe present or future situations and can be used in both negative and positive contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 나는 그냥 친구를 기다릴 뿐이다.

    na-neun geu-nyang chin-gu-reul gi-da-ril ppun-i-da., na neun geu nyang chin gu reul gi da ril ppun i da.

    '기다릴 뿐이다' correctly means 'only waiting' here.

  • 그는 거짓말을 할 뿐이다.

    geu-neun geo-jis-mal-eul hal ppun-i-da., geu neun geo jis mal eul hal ppun i da.

    '할 뿐이다' appropriately means 'only does that'.

  • 우리는 공부할 뿐이다.

    u-ri-neun gong-bu-hal ppun-i-da., u ri neun gong bu hal ppun i da.

    '공부할 뿐이다' means 'only study' correctly.

  • 나는 먹을 뿐이다만, 운동도 한다.

    na-neun meok-eul ppun-i-da-man, un-dong-do han-da., na neun meok eul ppun i da man, un dong do han da.

    You cannot add '만' after '-뿐이다'; it's ungrammatical.

  • 그녀는 일할 뿐이다.

    geu-nyeo-neun il-hal ppun-i-da., geu nyeo neun il hal ppun i da.

    '일할 뿐이다' naturally means 'only works'.

  • 나는 노래할 뿐이다.

    na-neun no-rae-hal ppun-i-da., na neun no rae hal ppun i da.

    '노래할 뿐이다' correctly means 'only sing'.

Quick quiz

  1. What does -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 mean in "나는 그냥 집에 있을 뿐이다."?

    다음 문장에서 -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다의 의미는? "나는 그냥 집에 있을 뿐이다."(da-eummun-jang-e-seo-(eu)ㄹppun-i-da-uiui-mi-neun?"na-neungeu-nyangjip-eiss-eulppun-i-da.", daeummunjangeseo(eu)ㄹppunidauiuimineun?"naneungeunyangjipeisseulppunida.")
  2. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)

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