많이
mani[ˈma̠(ː)ni]
The English phrase "a lot" is translated into Korean as 많이 (mani).
많이 is an adverb meaning "very much" or "a lot." It is used to modify verbs to indicate the extent or quantity of an action, such as eating a lot or sleeping a lot.
Meaning: very much (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb 많이 is derived from the adjective 많다, which means "to be many" or "to be much."
Which one should you use?
While 많이 is an adverb used to modify verbs, the adjective 많다 is used to describe nouns directly (for example, "many people").
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, 많이 is stable and does not change its form based on the number of people, the person speaking or the tense of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
mani
Did you know?
- In Korean dining culture, saying 많이 드세요 ('eat a lot') is a common polite greeting used by hosts to welcome guests to a meal, rather than a literal command to overeat.
- The adverbial suffix -이 in 많이 is the same suffix used to turn many other adjectives into adverbs, such as turning 'fast' into 'fastly' in an archaic English sense.
- The word 많이 can be used as a standalone response to questions about how much someone likes something, functioning as a shorthand for 'I like it a lot'.
Examples in context
- 나는 많이 자지 않아요.I don't sleep a lot.This sentence shows how to use 많이 to negate an action in the negative.Tatoeba #4952724 by rainbow4us, translation #2276204 by CK
- 목초지에 양이 많이 있다.There are a lot of sheep in the pasture.This sentence demonstrates the use of 많이 to indicate the quantity of something present.Tatoeba #7500609 by raining211, translation #322038 by Zifre
- 나는 요즘 잠을 많이 못잤어요.I haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately.This sentence illustrates using 많이 to describe the amount of sleep obtained.Tatoeba #4952722 by rainbow4us, translation #3177970 by CK
- 많은 사람A lot of people
- 많은 시간A lot of time
- 많이 먹자Let's eat a lot
- 많이 배웠어I learned a lot
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are eating lunch together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun음식이 맛있어요? 많이 드세요.eumsigi masisseoyo? mani deuseyo.Is the food tasty? Please eat a lot.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 정말 맛있어서 많이 먹었어요.ne, jeongmal masisseoseo mani meogeosseoyo.Yes, it's so delicious that I ate a lot.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이네요. 배가 많이 불러요?dahaengineyo. baega mani bulleoyo?I'm glad. Are you very full?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 이제 더는 못 먹겠어요.ne, ije deoneun mot meogess-eoyo.Yes, I can't eat any more now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 많이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
