Intermediate Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다

Used to restrict or limit the scope of a statement — 'that's all there is to it'. Can imply helplessness or modesty.

Summary

Equivalent

Only / Nothing more than / All I can do is

Also: -기만 하다 (Only do... — habit/ongoing restriction) · 밖에 없다 (There is nothing but... — stronger exclusivity)

Example

I only gave my best. The praise is more than I deserve.

저는 그냥 최선을 다했을 뿐이에요. 칭찬은 과분해요.

Grammar rules

  • Often used in humble or modest speech to deflect praise: '그냥 최선을 다했을 뿐이에요' (I only did my best / All I did was give my best).
  • Also expresses lack of alternatives.

Patterns

1

Verbs (Only / Nothing More)

Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 뿐이다

2

Nouns

Present · Noun + 뿐이다

Example sentences

Verbs (Only / Nothing More) · Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 뿐이다

I only gave my best. The praise is more than I deserve.

저는 그냥 최선을 다했을 뿐이에요. 칭찬은 과분해요.

Nouns · Present · Noun + 뿐이다

All I can give you right now is my support.

지금 제가 드릴 수 있는 건 응원뿐이에요.

Verbs (Only / Nothing More) · Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 뿐이다

Not knowing what to do, all I can do is wait.

어떻게 하면 좋을지 몰라서 기다릴 뿐이에요.

Conversation

A: That's amazing. How do you do it so well?

정말 대단해요. 어떻게 그렇게 잘 해요?

B: It's nothing. I just practised a little every day — nothing more.

별거 없어요. 매일 조금씩 연습했을 뿐이에요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Restrict the statement to 'only' using '-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다'.

Only listening.

Only hope.