Grammar
N-밖에 + négation
only, nothing but
Form
Noun + 밖에 + negative predicate — “only”, “nothing but”.
Function
Restricts the set to the named element, excluding the other possibilities. Normally requires a negative predicate.
Why this form?
N-만 — “only”: restrictive particle that does not require negation.
N-뿐이다 — “there is only…”: affirmative copular construction emphasizing exclusivity.
How to build it
The restrictor 밖에 ordinarily combines with 없다, 안, 못 or -지 않다; avoid 밖에 있다 to mean “only”.
Forms not to confuse
- N-만
학생만 왔어요. — Only the students came.
- N-뿐이다
방법은 하나뿐이에요. — There is only one method.
Examples
여기엔 우리밖에 없는 줄 알았는데! — I thought we were the only ones here!
천 원밖에 없어요. — I only have one thousand won.