밖에 in Korean: “only (with a negative)”
밖에
bakke
only (with a negative)
Beginner · Particles
밖에 (bakke) means "only" or "nothing but," and it is always followed by a negative verb: 천 원밖에 없어요 means "I only have 1,000 won." Literally it says "outside of 1,000 won, there is nothing." It often carries a feeling that the amount is less than you would like.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (any ending) | + 밖에 + negative verb | 천 원 → 천 원밖에 없어요 |
| With 안 or 못 | + 밖에 + 안/못 + verb | 세 시간 → 세 시간밖에 못 잤어요 |
| With 모르다 (not know) | + 밖에 몰라요 | 조금 → 조금밖에 몰라요 |
How to use it
밖에 looks like "only," but the sentence must end in a negative: 없다, 모르다, or a verb with 안 or 못. In English the verb is positive ("I only have"), but in Korean it is "I don't have anything except."
Compared with 만, 밖에 often sounds a little disappointed or apologetic: 이것밖에 없어요 can mean "this is all I have, sorry."
It also shows up in romantic or emotional lines like 너밖에 없어 ("you're all I have"). Politeness depends on the ending: 없어 is casual, 없어요 is polite.
Examples
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Checking your wallet
Explaining why you are tired
Telling someone they matter
Being modest about your Korean
Don’t mix it up with
만: 만 works with positive verbs (천 원만 있어요), while 밖에 needs a negative (천 원밖에 없어요). Both mean "only," but 밖에 stresses that it is not much.
Common mistakes
Using 밖에 with a positive verb, as in 천 원밖에 있어요. Say 천 원밖에 없어요 or 천 원만 있어요.
Want the basics first? Read Saying no: 안 vs 못.
Questions learners ask
Why does 밖에 need a negative verb?
밖 means "outside," so 밖에 literally means "outside of." 천 원밖에 없어요 is "outside of 1,000 won, there is nothing," which means you only have 1,000 won.
What does 너밖에 없어 mean?
It means "you're the only one" or "I have no one but you." It is casual and often used with close friends or partners.