Intermediate Estimated read: 3 mins

-기만 하다

Used to express that someone exclusively does one thing and nothing else, often with a nuance of criticism or exasperation.

Summary

Equivalent

All one does is... / Just keep doing...

Also: -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 (Only/nothing more — more formal, used for single events)

Example

All my younger sibling does is play games at home. I wish they'd go out.

동생은 집에서 게임만 하기만 해요. 좀 나가지.

Grammar rules

  • '-기만 해요' implies the person does only this and refuses or fails to do anything else.
  • Often seen in complaints: '먹기만 해요' (all they do is eat).
  • Can also be used positively: '좋기만 해요' (it's nothing but good).

Patterns

1

Verbs (Exclusively / Only Ever)

Present/Past · Verb Stem + 기만 하다

2

Adjectives (Exclusively This State)

Present · Adj Stem + 기만 하다

Example sentences

Adjectives (Exclusively This State) · Present · Adj Stem + 기만 하다

All my younger sibling does is play games at home. I wish they'd go out.

동생은 집에서 게임만 하기만 해요. 좀 나가지.

Adjectives (Exclusively This State) · Present · Adj Stem + 기만 하다

This cake is just sweet and nothing else, so it's not great.

이 케이크는 달기만 해서 별로예요.

Adjectives (Exclusively This State) · Present · Adj Stem + 기만 하다

Why do you just keep laughing? Please answer.

왜 웃기만 해요? 대답 좀 해 줘요.

Conversation

A: Why do you look so tired lately?

요즘 왜 이렇게 피곤해 보여요?

B: All I've been doing lately is work and I haven't been able to rest.

요즘 일하기만 하고 쉬지를 못했거든요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Express exclusive action or state using '-기만 하다'.

Only studying.

Only getting better.