도
do
also / too / even (inclusive)
만
man
only / just (exclusive)
도 vs 만: "Also" vs "Only" in Korean
도 (do) is an inclusive particle meaning "also," "too," or "even," adding the noun to a set, while 만 (man) is an exclusive particle meaning "only" or "just," restricting to a single element.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 도 (do) | 만 (man) | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Inclusive — adds to what already exists | Exclusive — limits to one element, excluding others |
| Replaces Particles? | Replaces 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 (저도, 이것도, 밥도) | Replaces 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 (저만, 이것만, 밥만) |
| Emotional Tone | Can express surprise or inclusivity (심지어 even) | Can express loneliness, restriction, or emphasis (오직 solely) |
| With Negative Verbs | 아무것도 + 안/못 = nothing at all (double inclusive negation) | ~만 + 안/못 = does not do X alone (rare nuance) |
| Example | 나도 갈게 (I'll go too) | 나만 갈게 (Only I will go) |
Examples in Context
Joining friends at a restaurant and wanting food too — using 도
저도 비빔밥 주세요.
Please give me bibimbap too.
Expressing you don't know anything about a topic — using 도
저는 그것도 몰랐어요.
I didn't even know that.
Telling someone you eat only rice when dieting — using 만
다이어트 중이라서 밥만 먹어요.
I'm on a diet so I only eat rice.
Expressing you want just five more minutes of sleep — using 만
5분만 더 자도 돼요?
Can I sleep for just five more minutes?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Confusing 도 and 만 in sentences — 저도 갈게 (I'll go too) vs 저만 갈게 (only I'll go) have opposite meanings
- ✗Keeping 은/는 or 이/가 when adding 도 or 만 — these particles replace, not stack with, the basic subject/object markers
- ✗Using 만 when you mean "even" — 도 handles "even" (비도 와도 괜찮아요: even if it rains, it's okay); 만 would change the meaning entirely
- ✗Forgetting that 아무것도 + negative = a complete negation pattern — beginners sometimes write 아무것만 which is ungrammatical
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 도 replace the subject particle 이/가?
Yes. Instead of 저가 (incorrect anyway) or 저는, you say 저도 to mean "I also." 도 replaces the existing topic or subject marker.
Can 만 and 도 appear in the same sentence?
Yes. 이것만 해도 돼요 means "It's okay to do just this" — 만 restricts to "just this" and 도 softens the condition to mean "even just."
What is the difference between 만 and 밖에?
Both express exclusivity, but 밖에 must be followed by a negative verb: 이것밖에 없어요 (there is nothing but this). 만 can be used with positive verbs: 이것만 있어요 (there is only this).
Master Korean with AI Practice
Practice using 도 and 만 in real conversations with AI.
