너무 많이
neomu mani
In Korean, "so much" is expressed as 너무 많이 (neomu mani).
너무 많이 is used to describe an action or state occurring to a certain degree or extent. While traditionally the word 너무 carried a strictly negative connotation meaning "too much," in modern Korean it is frequently used to emphasize degree, similar to "so much."
Meaning: to a certain degree or extent (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb 너무, meaning "too" or "so," and the adverbial form of the adjective 많다, which means "to be many" or "to be much."
Which one should you use?
While 너무 많이 is an adverb used to modify verbs or adjectives, the related form 너무 많은 is used to emphasize an excessive amount of something (translating to "too many" or "too much"). Additionally, the colloquial word 엄청 can be used to mean "really" or "extremely."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 많이 (mani) is the adverbial form of the adjective 많다 (man-ta), and it is used to modify verbs or adjectives in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu mani
Did you know?
- Until recently, using 너무 to describe something positive was considered grammatically incorrect by the National Institute of Korean Language.
- The word 너무 stems from the verb 넘다, which means 'to exceed' or 'to surpass' a limit.
- Because 너무 originally meant 'excessively', older generations might still react to it as if you are complaining about a situation being 'too' much.
Examples in context
- 어제 술을 너무 많이 마셔서 오늘 머리가 깨질 것처럼 아파요.I drank so much alcohol yesterday that my head feels like it will explode.This sentence shows how to use 너무 많이 when describing the amount of something consumed.Tatoeba #2656060 by KoreanBeaver, translation #2834016 by 0ni
- 너무 많은 일이 생겨서 정말 바빠요.I am so busy because so much work has come up.
- 정말 오래 기다렸어요.I waited so long.
- 오늘 많이 먹었어요.I ate so much today.
- 엄청 예뻐!You look really beautiful!
- 너무 많이 먹어서 배가 불러요.neomu mani meogeoseo baega bulleoyo.I ate so much that I am full.
- 숙제가 너무 많이 남았어요.sukjega neomu mani namasseoyo.There is so much homework left.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are talking about their workload at the office.
- 도현 Do-hyeon요즘 일이 너무 많이 늘어났어요.yojum iri neomu mani neureonasseoyo.The amount of work has increased so much lately.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요. 저도 너무 바빠요.majayo. jeodo neomu bappayo.That's true. I'm very busy too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon우리 조금 쉴까요?uri jogeum swilkkayo?Shall we take a short break?
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요. 커피 한 잔 마셔요.joayo. keopi han jan masyeoyo.Sounds good. Let's have a cup of coffee.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, 많이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
