📝 Grammar A2 ✓ Native Reviewed

하지만

hajiman

However / But (sentence-initial)

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What it means

하지만 means "however" or "but" — used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrast. Similar to -지만 (sentence-internal) but 하지만 starts a NEW sentence.

Nuance & when to use

하지만 = however (starts new sentence). -지만 = but (within one sentence). 그러나 = however (more formal). 그런데 = but/however (casual). 하지만 어렵지만 열심히 할게요 = However, even though it's hard, I'll try hard. Very common in spoken and written Korean.

⚠ Common mistake

하지만 cannot appear mid-sentence. It starts a new thought. 어렵지만 해요 (✓). NOT 어려워요 하지만 해요 (✗) — awkward.

Example sentences

비싸요. 하지만 사고 싶어요. Bissayo. Hajiman sago sipeoyo. It's expensive. But I want to buy it.
피곤해요. 하지만 해야 해요. Pigonhaeyo. Hajiman haeya haeyo. I'm tired. However, I have to do it.
하지만 포기하지 않아요. Hajiman pogihaji anayo. However, I won't give up.

See also

-지만 그런데 그러나
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More A2 lessons

약속 yakssok promise / appointment / plans 형제 hyeongjae siblings / brothers 어떡해요 eotteokhaeyo What should I do? / Oh no! (distress)
← 치맥 한류 →

FAQ

When is this used?

하지만 = however (starts new sentence). -지만 = but (within one sentence). 그러나 = however (more formal). 그런데 = but/however (casual). 하지만 어렵지만 열심히 할게요 = However, even though it's hard, I'll try hard. Very common in spoken and written Korean.

What's a common mistake?

하지만 cannot appear mid-sentence. It starts a new thought. 어렵지만 해요 (✓). NOT 어려워요 하지만 해요 (✗) — awkward.

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