Observe the following sentences:
- 돈 만원만 주세요.
Let me have [just, exactly] 10,000 won, please. - 이천오백원 밖에는 안 들어요.
It will only cost 2500 won.
The particle 만 plus an AFFIRMATIVE verb means only, just, to the extent of. The quasi-particle 밖에 (derived from the place noun 밖 outside + the particle 에) plus a NEGATIVE verb arrives at the same meaning by a more circuitous route. Here is another example:
- 만원 밖에 없어요. I have only ten thousand won. [= Except for or outside of ten thousand won, I haven’t (anything), or I haven’t (anything) but ten thousand won]
The pattern in 밖에 + NEGATIVE implies that the amount in question is less than, or not quite up to, one’s expectations. Thus, in (3) above, the implication is that the speaker had rather hoped or expected to have more than 10,000 w|n. . Here are some more examples of the 밖에 + NEGATIVE pattern:
- 나는 아이 한명밖에 없습니다.
I have only one child. - 연필 밖에 없습니다.
I have nothing but a pencil. All I have is a pencil. - 어제 밤 극장에 저 밖에 가지 않았어요.
I was the only one who went to the movies last night. - 고기 밖에 못 먹었어요.
I could only eat meat. - 만원 밖에 들지 않았습니다.
It only cost 10,000 won.
Remember that with numerical expressions 만 only or just has no English equivalent: it means no more, no less or exactly [the number specified]:
- 만원만 주실래요?
Would you mind giving me 10,000 won?