조금만
jogeumman
In Korean, 'only a little bit' is said as 조금만 (jogeumman).
It is commonly used when making requests, such as asking for a small amount of food or a small reduction in price.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 조금 (a little) and the particle 만 (only).
Which one should you use?
The phrase 좀 is an informal version of 조금 used to say 'only a little bit'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 만 is attached to the noun 조금 to restrict the amount to 'only' that amount.
How do you pronounce it?
jogeumman
Did you know?
- The shortened form 좀 is often used as a 'magic word' to soften requests, making them sound less demanding and more polite in almost any social situation.
- In many Korean contexts, a person might say 조금만 to mean 'just a moment', switching the meaning from a quantity of something to a quantity of time.
- If you are negotiating a price in a traditional market, saying 조금만… with a trailing voice can be a more effective psychological tactic than stating a specific discount amount.
Examples in context
- 아니요, 비가 약간 왔어요.No, it rained a little bit.
- 아니, 조금만 봤어.No, I've only watched a few.
- 설탕을 조금만 넣어 주세요.seoltangeul jogeumman neoeo juseyo.Please put in only a little bit of sugar.
- 매운 음식을 조금만 먹었어요.maeun eumsigeul jogeumman meogeosseoyo.I only ate a little bit of spicy food.
- 시간을 조금만 더 주세요.siganeul jogeumman deo juseyo.Please give me just a little bit more time.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is pouring water for Min-jun.
- 지은 Ji-eun물 더 드릴까요?mul deo deurilkkayo?Would you like more water?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 조금만 주세요.ne, jogeumman juseyo.Yes, only a little bit please.
- 지은 Ji-eun여기 있습니다.yeogi isseumnida.Here it is.
- 민준 Min-jun고맙습니다, 지은 씨.gomapseumnida, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Ji-eun.
