but
I wanted to go, but it was raining.
가고 싶었지만, 비가 오고 있었어요.
그러나, 하지만
She is smart but lazy.
그녀는 똑똑하지만 게을러요.
I like tea, but not coffee.
저는 차를 좋아하지만, 커피는 좋아하지 않아요.
Used to introduce a contrast or exception to the previous statement. Often replaces 'however' in informal speech.
~을 제외하고
Everyone came but John.
존을 제외하고 모두가 왔어요.
Used to indicate an exception. More common in formal writing.
단지, 다만
I don't blame you, but I think you made a mistake.
너를 비난하는 건 아니지만, 네가 실수를 했다고 생각해.
Used to introduce a minor correction or qualification.
관련 표현
프로 팁
Korean Contrast Markers
'-지만' is the most common way to translate 'but' in Korean. For example, 'I like it, but it's expensive' → '좋아하지만 비싸요.' Pay attention to the verb endings (-지만 for verbs, -지만 for adjectives).
황금 법칙
Position in Sentence
'But' usually comes after the subject or at the beginning of a clause in English. In Korean, the contrast marker '-지만' attaches directly to the verb/adjective stem, so the word order is more flexible.
어원
Old English 'butan' (outside, except), from 'be' (by) + 'ūtan' (out). Originally meant 'outside' or 'except', later evolving to indicate contrast.
사용 참고
In spoken Korean, 'but' is often translated as '근데' or '근데' for a softer contrast. In writing, '그러나' or '하지만' is preferred. The word order in English ('A but B') typically translates to 'A지만 B' in Korean.