Korean word

오직

Pronunciation

Romanizationojik

Meaning

  • adverbonly

Example

이 일은 오직 그에게만 맡겨라.i i reun o jik keu e ge man mat kkyeo ra

Entrust this work only to him.

Illustration for 오직 (only)

More examples

그 기회는 오직 한 번뿐이다.keu ki hoe neun o jik han peon ppu ni da

That opportunity comes only once.

Core concept

A single person or fact is kept in focus while all alternatives are left out.

Common phrases

  • 오직 한 번o jik han peon

    only once

  • 오직 필요할 때만o jik pi ryo hal ttae man

    only when needed

Similar words

오로지oroji: Devotes attention to one selected target and excludes everything outside it.
단지tanji: Reduces a statement to a simple fact or condition and nothing more.
다만taman: Qualifies an earlier point by adding one small limitation or exception.

Definition in Korean

어떤 범위에서 하나의 대상이나 사실만을 강조하여 제한할 때 쓰이는 부사eo tteon peo mwi e seo ha na ui tae sang i na sa sil ma neul kang jo ha yeo che han hal ttae sseu i neun pu sa

Word origin

Its exact earlier formation is uncertain, but 오직 (ojik, "only") is a long-established native Korean adverb for marking a sharply limited choice.

Usage tips

  • English only often sounds neutral, while this word can make the restriction feel especially firm, so it highlights a narrow focus.

Other meanings

  • merelyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word