TOPIK · Level 117
15 words
Korean word
뿐
Pronunciation
Romanizationppun
Meaning
- particlejust
Example
그는 친구일 뿐이다.keu neun chin gu il ppu ni da
He is just a friend.
More examples
오늘은 바빠서 점심을 못 먹은 것뿐이다.o neu reun pa ppa seo cheom si meul mot meo geun keot ppu ni da
The only thing is that I couldn't eat lunch today because I was busy.
Core concept
A boundary leaves only the named person, thing, amount, or range inside it.
Common phrases
시간이 없을 뿐이다si ga ni eop sseul ppu ni da
just have no time
그럴 뿐이다keu reol ppu ni da
just be that way
Similar words
만man: Selects one person, thing, place, time, or amount as the sole focus.
밖에pakke: Appears with negation to stress that there is no alternative beyond the stated choice.
뿐만 아니라ppunman anira: Links an initial fact with an additional fact that also applies.
Definition in Korean
명사에 붙어 수량이나 범위를 한정해 '...뿐'으로 쓰이며, 문장에서는 종종 '뿐이다' 형태로 마무리된다.myeong sa e pu teo su ryang i na peo mwi reul han jeong hae ppun eu ro sseu i myeo mun jang e seo neun chong jong ppu ni da hyeong tae ro ma mu ri doen da
Word origin
The word's historical origin is uncertain, but modern Korean uses this bound particle after a noun or predicate form to mark a limit.
Usage tips
- For TOPIK reading, checking which noun or amount is restricted helps distinguish this particle from broader contrast markers.
Related words
- 뿐만 아니라ppunman aniranot onlyadverb