Connective Ending 지만 (but, although)

This grammar is a connective ending. It attaches directly to the end of a word. Specifically, it attaches to the word stem. You use it to connect two clauses. Clause one happens first. Then you add 지만. Finally, you state clause two. Clause two usually contradicts clause one. It provides information you did not expect. It is like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener to wait. Something different is coming up next. It is very stable grammar. It does not change much between contexts. You can use it with verbs. You can use it with adjectives. You can even use it with nouns. It does not require complex conjugation rules. This makes it a favorite for beginners. It is reliable and very easy to remember. Just think of it as the glue. It holds your contrasting thoughts together tightly.

1. 1First, find your verb or adjective. Let's take the verb 먹다 (to eat).
2. 2Remove the 다 to get the stem. The stem is 먹.
3. 3Simply add 지만 to that stem. You get 먹지만.
4. 4It does not matter if there is a batchim. 가다 becomes 가지만. 작다 becomes 작지만.
5. 5For nouns, you need a small extra step. If the noun ends in a consonant, use 이지만.
6. 6For example, 학생 becomes 학생이지만.
7. 7If the noun ends in a vowel, use 지만.
8. 8For example, 의사 becomes 의사지만.
9. 9For the past tense, use the past stem. 먹었다 becomes 먹었지만.
10. 10For the future tense, use 겠. 먹겠다 becomes 먹겠지만.
11. 11You can also use honorifics. 가시다 becomes 가시지만.

You use 지만 for direct contrast. Imagine you are at a restaurant. The soup looks very delicious. However, it is extremely expensive. You would say it is "delicious but expensive." This is the perfect time for 지만. Use it when facts clash. Use it when feelings are mixed. You might like your job. But you might hate your boss. That is a 지만 moment right there. It is also great for being polite. In Korea, being direct can be rude. You can soften your words with this. Use 실례지만 to start a question. It means "Excuse me, but..." It shows you respect the other person. You can use it in job interviews. You can use it when asking directions. Use it whenever you need a "but." It makes your stories more interesting. It adds depth to your descriptions.

Do not use 지만 to give reasons. If you want to say "Because it's hot," use -(으)니까. 지만 is only for contrast or surprise. It is not for cause and effect. Do not use it to connect similar things. If things are the same, use 고. Also, be careful with imperatives. You can say "It is cold but go out." But you cannot use it for "Since it is cold, don't go out." The logic must be a contradiction. If the second half follows naturally, 지만 is wrong. Think of it like a seesaw. The two sides should be at different levels. If they are the same, the seesaw doesn't move. Your sentence won't move either. Also, don't use it at the very start of a sentence. Use 하지만 or 그런데 for that instead. 지만 needs to be in the middle. It needs two clauses to survive.

Many people forget the 이 with nouns. They say 학생지만 instead of 학생이지만. This sounds very choppy to native speakers. Don't let your nouns feel lonely. Give them that extra 이 if they have a consonant. Another mistake is using it for every "but." Sometimes Korean uses 는데 for background info. 지만 is a very strong, sharp contrast. If the contrast is weak, 는데 is better. Also, check your tense markers. Don't put the past tense at the end only. If the first part was in the past, mark it. Say 멀었지만 if the distance was long before. Some people also confuse it with 지마세요. 지마세요 means "Please don't do it." They look similar but they are different. One connects ideas while the other stops actions. Don't mix up your "buts" and your "don'ts." Even native speakers mess this up when tired. Just take a breath and check the stem.

The biggest rival is -(으)ㄴ/는데. Both can translate to "but" in English. But they have different vibes. 지만 is like a clear wall. It clearly separates two opposite facts. -(으)ㄴ/는데 is like a foggy background. it provides context before a surprise. Use 지만 for "Black vs White." Use -(으)ㄴ/는데 for "The situation is this, so..." Another relative is 그래도. 그래도 starts a new sentence. It means "Even so" or "Nevertheless." 지만 stays inside one single sentence. Then there is 거늘. But that is for old books. You don't need that for a coffee shop. Stick to 지만 for your daily needs. It is the most common choice. It is the safest choice for students. It works in almost every situation.