TOPIK · Level 77
15 words
Korean word
단
Pronunciation
Romanizationtan
Meaning
- adverbonly
Example
그는 단 하루만 쉬었어요.keu neun tan ha ru man swi eo sseo yo
He rested for only one day.
More examples
회의에는 단 한 명만 참석했어요.hoe ui e neun tan han myeong man cham seo kae sseo yo
Only one person attended the meeting.
Core concept
One narrow amount or period is picked out from all possible choices.
Common phrases
단 한 명tan han myeong
only one person
단 하루tan ha ru
only one day
단 한 번tan han peon
only once
Similar words
단지tanji: Says that a statement applies simply to one particular fact or condition.
고작kojak: Describes a low quantity that may cause mild disappointment or surprise.
겨우kyeou: Describes success achieved with almost no room to spare after effort.
Definition in Korean
어떤 대상이나 수량·시간이 매우 적거나 한정되어 있음을 강조하는 부사로, 주로 수나 기간 앞에 놓여 한정된 범위를 나타냄eo tteon tae sang i na su ryang si ga ni mae u cheok kkeo na han jeong doe eo i sseu meul kang jo ha neun pu sa ro chu ro su na ki gan a pe no yeo han jeong doen peo mwi reul na ta naem
Word origin
This adverb retains the older Sino-Korean sense of "only" or "just", so its origin is not a shortening of a longer modern word.
Usage tips
- It can appear with another limiting expression to make the restriction sound especially strong without changing the basic meaning.