Korean word

고작

Pronunciation

Romanizationkojak

Meaning

  • adverbonly

Example

그가 번 돈은 고작 만원이었어.keu ga peon to neun ko jak ma nwo ni eo sseo

The money he earned was only 10,000 won.

Illustration for 고작 (only)

More examples

나는 고작 한 시간밖에 못 잤어.na neun ko jak han si gan ba kke mot cha sseo

I could only sleep for one hour.

Core concept

A narrow upper limit that makes the amount seem disappointingly little.

Common phrases

  • 고작 만원ko jak ma nwon

    only 10,000 won

  • 고작 한 시간ko jak han si gan

    only an hour

  • 고작 몇 명ko jak myeot myeong

    only a few people

Similar words

기껏kikkeot: At best, a small result despite the effort or hopes involved.
겨우kyeou: Barely enough to meet a need or achieve a goal.

Definition in Korean

많지 않은 수나 양을 강조하여 그 수준이 낮거나 실망스러움을 드러내는 부사로, 수치와 함께 쓰이는 경우가 많다.man chi a neun su na yang eul kang jo ha yeo keu su ju ni nat kkeo na sil mang seu reo u meul teu reo nae neun pu sa ro su chi wa ham kke sseu i neun kyeong u ga man ta

Word origin

The history of 고작 (gojak, "only") is uncertain, and no reliable word-part analysis should be used to explain its meaning.

Usage tips

  • When 고작 (gojak, "only") comes before a number, it often shows that the speaker considers the amount disappointingly small rather than simply stating a limit.

Other meanings

  • at mostadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word