이나마
inama
even if only; at least
Attaches to a noun (or an adverbial ending like '-게') to accept something as better than nothing, even though it's insufficient or not quite what one wanted.
Form
- Attaches to
- Noun
- Other shapes
- 나마
Meanings
- 1
A postpositional particle used to accept something even though it is displeasing or is in an insufficient condition.
썩 마음에 들지 않거나 부족한 조건이지만 아쉬운 대로 인정함을 나타내는 조사.
Examples
불편 사항이 일부나마 개선되었다.
At least some of the inconveniences have been improved.
그나마 남아 있던 용돈이 바닥나 버렸다.
Even the little bit of allowance I had left is now gone.
이제는 진로에 대해 막연하게나마 생각해 봐야 한다.
Now I need to at least think about my career path, even if only vaguely.
여행은 잘 다녀왔어요? 네. 잠시나마 일상을 벗어나 즐거운 시간을 보냈어요.
Did you have a good trip? Yes. Even if only for a little while, I got away from my daily routine and had a great time.
그 배우는 단역이나마 열심히 제 역할을 다했다.
Even though it was just a minor role, the actor put his all into it.
이번 방학에는 짧은 시간이나마 아버지와 보낼 수 있었다.
This vacation, I was able to spend at least a little time with my father, even if it was short.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘이나마’ mean?
2. Which form means “even if only; at least”?