많이
mani[ˈma̠(ː)ni]
In Korean, 'much' is expressed as 많이 (mani).
많이 is used to mean 'much' or 'a lot'.
Meaning: a large amount of (det)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the adjective 많다 (to be many/much) with the adverbial suffix –이.
Which one should you use?
Use 많이 when you want to say 'a lot' as an adverb, such as 'eat a lot'. In contrast, use the form 많은 when you want to use 'many', 'much' or 'a lot of' as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'many people'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
많이 is an adverb used to modify verbs or adjectives. The related form 많은 is the adjectival form used to modify a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
mani
Did you know?
- In Korea, telling someone to 많이 eat is a common way to show hospitality and affection, often repeated several times during a meal.
- While 많이 describes quantity, if you want to say someone is 'much' or 'very' attractive, you would use the word 정말 or 매우 instead. Using 많이 in that context would sound like you are measuring their beauty with a ruler.
- If you are describing a 'much' improved situation, you might use 훨씬 (much more/far) instead of 많이. In Korean, 훨씬 is the preferred adverb for intensifying comparisons.
Examples in context
- 톰은 많이 안 잔다.Tom doesn't sleep much.This sentence shows how to use 많이.Tatoeba #3684956 by rainbow4us, translation #2546439 by CK
- 내가 너무 말을 많이 하고 있어?Am I talking too much?This sentence uses 많이 to describe the amount of talking.Tatoeba #8362087 by Eunhee, translation #5825557 by CK
- 우리는 아프리카에 대해서 많이는 알지 못한다.We don't know much about Africa.This sentence uses 많이 to indicate a lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #12977493 by Uwe, translation #13008079 by Uwe
- 많은 사람들이 공원에 있어요. (Manheun saramdeuri gongwon-e isseoyo.)There are many people at the park.
- 저는 많은 음식을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun manheun eumsigeul johahaeyo.)I like a lot of food.
- 이 신발은 훨씬 편해요. (I shibal-eun holsseun pyeonhaeyo.)These shoes are much more comfortable.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about a party they attended.
- 지훈 Ji-hun어제 파티에 사람이 많이 왔어?eoje patie sarami mani wasseo?Did many people come to the party yesterday?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 정말 많이 왔어.eung, jeongmal mani wasseo.Yes, many people really came.
- 지훈 Ji-hun음식도 많이 준비했어?eumsikdo mani junbihaesseo?Did they prepare a lot of food too?
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼, 음식도 많이 있었어.geureom, eumsikdo mani isseosseo.Of course, there was a lot of food too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “much” translations and entries 많이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
