N + 밖에N + bakke
Intermediate 3 · #1Lesson 1: 대학생활 – University Life

N + 밖에 – Nothing/Nobody but N (Only N)

Meaning: Only; nothing but; no choice other than

Conjugation & Pattern

  • Noun (N) + 밖에 + Negative predicate (안, 못, 없다, 모르다...)
  • Verb/Adjective: V/A + -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (Have no choice but to... / Cannot help doing...)

Detailed Usage

Attached to a noun or quantity to emphasize that there is nothing beyond that item (similar to '만' 'only', but emphasizing scarcity). In the pattern '-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다', it means 'have no choice but to' or 'cannot help doing'.

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    저는 그 사람의 전화번호밖에 몰라요.

    Jeoneun geu saramui jeonhwabeonhobakke mollayo.

    I know nothing but that person's phone number.

  2. 2

    아빠가 김치를 하나밖에 주문하지 않았어요.

    Appaga gimchireul hanabakke jumunhaji anasseoyo.

    Dad ordered only one portion of kimchi.

  3. 3

    돈을 다 썼기 때문에 이번 달 말까지 라면을 먹을 수밖에 없어요.

    Doneul da sseotgi ttaemune ibeon dal malkkaji ramyeoneul meogeul subakke eopseoyo.

    Because I spent all my money, I have no choice but to eat ramen until the end of this month.

Important Notes

The predicate following '밖에' MUST be negative (안, 못, 없다, 모르다, -지 않다). It cannot be used with an affirmative predicate.

Grammar Topics