마는
마는: Granted…, But — Contrast After an Ending
Particle: concede the preceding finite clause, then state a conflicting or doubtful sequel (상반).
How to form it
| When | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| After -다 / -지 type endings | …다마는 / …지마는 | 좋다마는 / 알지마는 |
| After polite finite endings | …습니다마는 / …ㅂ니다마는 | 옵니다마는 / 있습니다마는 |
| Shortened everyday form | …만 (← 마는) | 좋다만 / 알지만 |
마는 grants the front clause, then turns — yes, that is so, but….
Curriculum sense: 상반. Dictionary job: after a finite ending, concede what was just said, then open doubt or a clashing sequel. It is not a free tag you glue onto a bare noun like 은/는.
Why this is hard
Learners hear -지만 first and treat every contrast as the same button. 마는 sits one step heavier: it often rides on an already-finished ending (좋다마는, 옵니다마는), and it collides with the look-alike 만은 (만 + 은). Spelling and job diverge even when the sound feels close.
It also expands into connectives such as -지마는 / -다마는 — the particle is doing contrast work, not inventing a new stem class.
What it does
You admit the first line, then refuse the expected sequel.
사고 싶다마는 돈이 없어요.
비가 옵니다마는 나가야 해요.
쉽지 않다마는 해 볼게요.
알겠지마는 다시 한 번 말할게요.The front is granted. The back is the real point — lack, worry, refusal, or a tighter condition.
Forms
Attach after endings such as -다, -지, -습니다 / -ㅂ니다, question endings in careful prose, and related finite shapes. Everyday speech often shortens 마는 → 만 in the same concessive job.
좋다마는 → 좋다만
알지마는 → 알지만Do not rewrite that short 만 as 만은 when you mean concede-then-clash.
When not to use it
Do not use 마는 as a noun topic particle. If you mean only this noun, you wanted 만 / 만은, not this concessive ending-particle.
Do not paste it onto a bare stem without an ending (좋마는). Finish the predicate first.
Do not reach for it in every soft café contrast — -지만 or spoken -는데 usually fits better. Save 마는 for heavier, written, or rhetorical contrast.
Neighbours — and why they differ
| Form | Why it is not this slot |
|---|---|
| -지만 | Everyday but — lighter connective coat. |
| -어도 | Even if / though — condition flavour, not ending-particle 마는. |
| -건만 (later slot) | And yet — connective contrast; different attachment story. |
Ask: did I finish an ending, concede it, and need a clashing sequel? If yes, 마는. If you only need soft spoken but, stay with -지만.
Do not confuse it with
Taught alongside this
On the jabi learning path, this appears in 조사 (inspection) — Advanced Korean 2, Unit 1, on the theme of inspection. These come with it:
Words used above
Quick check
No sign-up, no score saved — just see if it stuck.
1. You want to grant that rain is coming but still say you have to go out. Which line uses 마는?
2. A speaker wants the heavier -지마는 concede-then-clash after 알겠다. Which line fits?
3. You need the heavier rhetorical 'granted, but…' over everyday spoken contrast. Which line fits?
Common questions
Dictionary?
표준/우리말샘 계열: after endings like -습니다, -냐, -을까 — concede the prior fact, then doubt or a clashing situation (상반). Also builds -지마는 / -다마는.
Is 만 the short form?
Yes — 마는 can shorten to 만 in the same concessive job. That is not the same as 만은.
Vs -지만?
-지만 is the everyday connective. 마는 / -지마는 feels older or heavier; same contrast family, different coat.
Speech level?
Often literary, rhetorical, or careful speech. Café talk usually prefers -지만 / -는데.