마저
Attaches to nouns to indicate that this is the last thing remaining, or that even this thing (which you wouldn't expect) is included in the negative situation.
Summary
Equivalent
Even... (as if things weren't bad enough) / Too..., as well...
Also: 까지
Example
After a tough day, I even ended up losing my wallet on top of everything.
힘든 하루를 보냈는데 지갑마저 잃어버리고 말았다.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'And on top of everything else, even [X] as well.' Used mainly in negative or unfortunate situations.
- Interchangeable with '까지' with almost no change in meaning.
- '마저' is almost exclusively used in negative/unfortunate contexts, while '까지' can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
설상가상으로 친구마저 떠나버렸다. (To make matters worse, even my friend left.)
Patterns
N (Nouns)
현재 (Present) · 마저
Example sentences
After a tough day, I even ended up losing my wallet on top of everything.
힘든 하루를 보냈는데 지갑마저 잃어버리고 말았다.
We were too busy to meet, and then even our contact completely fell off.
그동안 서로 바빠서 만나지 못하다가 연락마저 끊기고 말았다.
It started raining, and now even the wind is blowing hard.
비가 오더니 이제는 바람마저 세게 부네요.
Conversation
A: Are you having a hard time these days?
요즘 많이 힘드세요?
B: Yes, my health isn't great, work isn't going well, and even the friend I trusted turned their back on me. It's really hard.
네, 건강도 좋지 않은데 일까지 잘 안 되고, 믿었던 친구마저 등을 돌려서 너무 힘들어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct 'even X (on top of everything)' phrase.
Situation is bad and everything is going wrong.
Bad things keep piling up.