조금만
The English phrase "just a little" can be said in Korean as 조금만.
조금만 is used to express the idea of "just a little". It is frequently paired with the word 더 (more) to express a desire for a small additional amount or time. As a synonym, you can also use 살짝 when you are describing a light touch or a very slight movement/change.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 조금만 is composed of 조금 (a little) and the particle 만 (only/just).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you remove the particle 만 from 조금만, the word becomes 조금, which changes the meaning from "just a little" to simply "a little".
Did you know?
- The nuance of 조금만 can change from a polite request to a desperate plea depending entirely on the length of the vowel sound used when stretching the word.
- In a restaurant, asking for 'just a little more' using 조금만 더 is a standard way to request a refill of side dishes, which are often free in Korean dining culture.
- The word 살짝 can also be used to describe 'sneaking' or doing something secretly, such as 'just a little' peek into a room.
Examples in context
- 조금만 더 기다려 줘.Please wait just a little more.This sentence is useful for asking someone to wait just a little more using 조금만.Tatoeba #4710350 by rainbow4us, translation #5099604 by chris3spice
- 그 영화는 약간 지루했어요.That movie was just a little boring.
- 오늘은 조금만 먹을 거예요.Today, I will eat just a little.
- 나 좀 더 자려고 해.I'm going to sleep just a little more.
- 설탕 조금만 넣어 주세요.seoltang jogeumman neo-eo ju-se-yo.Please put in just a little sugar.
- 조금만 더 있으면 도착해요.jogeumman deo iss-eu-myeon dochak-hae-yo.I will arrive in just a little more time.
Example conversation
Subin asks Jihun to reduce the volume of the music.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 음악 소리 조금만 줄여 줄래요?Ji-hun ssi, eum-ak so-ri jogeumman jul-yeo jul-lae-yo?Jihun, could you turn the music down just a little?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 알겠어요. 바로 줄일게요.Ne, al-get-eo-yo. Ba-ro jul-il-ge-yo.Okay, I understand. I will turn it down right away.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워요. 이제 듣기 편하네요.Go-ma-wo-yo. I-je deut-gi pyeon-ha-ne-yo.Thank you. It is comfortable to listen to now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이네요. 수빈 씨가 좋아하니 기뻐요.Da-haeng-i-ne-yo. Su-bin ssi-ga jo-a-ha-ni gi-ppeo-yo.That's a relief. I'm glad you like it, Subin.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
