Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 9 - Advanced Korean #2 (Lessons 241 to 270) ᚛ Lesson 263 - It is only, I can only, in Korean [-(으)ㄹ 따름이다]
It is only, I can only, in Korean [-(으)ㄹ 따름이다]
The bound noun 따름 means "nothing but that". Preceded by the future -(으)ㄹ and followed by the copula, it gives -(으)ㄹ 따름이다, "to merely", "it is only", "I can only": 기다릴 따름입니다, "I can only wait". It is the formal equivalent of -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다: same meaning, same construction, but a more elevated register, that of speeches, letters, official thanks and apologies. It is used to modestly limit one's role, "I only did my job", or to express a feeling that leaves room for nothing else, "I can only be grateful".
"To merely" with -(으)ㄹ 따름이다
[Verb]-(으)ㄹ 따름이다 / [Verb]-았/었을 따름이다
The form goes at the end of the sentence and is conjugated on the copula: 따름입니다, 따름이에요, 따름이었습니다. The preceding verb is in the present, -(으)ㄹ, or the past, -았/었을, 했을 따름입니다, "I merely did". The adverbs 그저, "simply", 다만, "only", and 오직, "solely", often announce it at the start of the sentence. Unlike 뿐, 따름 does not form a particle: no "따름만 아니라", and no use after a noun without the copula.
저는 그저 제 할 일을 했을 따름입니다.
→ I merely did my job, nothing more.
이렇게 도와주셔서 그저 감사할 따름입니다.
→ For such help, I can only thank you.
이제는 결과를 기다릴 따름이에요.
→ Now there is nothing left to do but wait for the result.
저는 다만 사실을 말했을 따름이에요.
→ I merely told the truth.
Feelings: 기쁠 따름, 죄송할 따름, 놀라울 따름
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After a noun: [Noun]일 따름이다
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Exercises
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Traveling to South Korea can be an unforgettable experience. But when you don’t speak Korean, everything gets more complicated: ordering in a restaurant or café becomes stressful, you can’t understand signs or directions, asking for help in case of trouble is nearly impossible, and most importantly, you miss out on the very essence of a successful trip to Korea: connecting with the locals.
Since English - Korean machine translators can’t always be trusted (the two languages work in completely different ways), it’s essential to prepare yourself in advance to fully enjoy your trip to South Korea!
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