이제 그만
ije geuman
The English phrase 'enough is enough' is expressed in Korean as 이제 그만 (ije geuman).
This phrase is used to signal that one's patience has been exhausted and a situation must end immediately.
Meaning: limit of patience or tolerance has been reached (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이제 (now) and 그만 (stop/cease).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version when addressing someone you should show respect to, use 이제 그만하세요. In informal situations, you might use the expression 더는 못 참겠어 to say 'I can't bear it anymore.'
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the phrase into a more complete imperative sentence by adding the verb 해 (do) to the end, resulting in 이제 그만해, which is often used when telling someone to stop a specific behavior. To make the phrase polite, add the suffix -세요 to form 이제 그만하세요.
How do you pronounce it?
ije geuman
Did you know?
- If you are using 이제 그만해 to tell a child to stop a behavior, saying it with a very low, calm tone can actually be more authoritative and intimidating than shouting it.
- The word 그만 is actually a contraction of the demonstrative pronoun 그 (that) and the particle 만 (only), literally suggesting one should 'only do that' or 'stop right there'.
- The word 이제 (now) specifically refers to a 'new' start of a period of time, unlike 지금 (now), which refers to the exact current moment.
Examples in context
- 이제 그만 하고 싶어.ije geuman hago sipeo.I want to stop now, enough is enough.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are arguing about a noisy game.
- 민준 Min-jun민지야, 소리가 너무 커.Minji-ya, soriga neomu keo.Minji, the sound is too loud.
- 민지 Min-ji조금만 더 할게.jogeumman deo halge.I'll play just a little longer.
- 민준 Min-jun이제 그만 좀 해.ije geuman jom hae.Stop it already, enough is enough.
- 민지 Min-ji알았어, 미안해.arasseo, mianhae.Okay, I'm sorry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그만, 이제, CC BY-SA 4.0.
