TOPIK II · LEVEL 4
N만 하다
N만 하다 compares size or degree: 'as big as N / about the size of N'.
조사ParticlesHan: 하다 here behaves like an adjective, so the modifier is 한, not 하는.
Examples
이 사과는 아이 얼굴만 해요.This apple is as big as a child's face.
요즘 입맛이 예전만 못해요.My appetite isn't what it used to be these days.
손바닥만 한 강아지가 너무 귀여웠어요.The palm-sized puppy was so cute.
Don’t mix up
N만 하다vs-처럼처럼 compares likeness ('like'); 만 하다 compares size or degree: 공처럼 둥글다 vs 공만 하다.
How to build it
N+만 하다
N+만 한+N
주먹 → 주먹만 해요, 집 → 집만 한 바위
- Before a noun it becomes 만 한: 손바닥만 한 휴대폰.
- Negative 만 못하다 means 'not as good as': 예전만 못하다.
Classic mistake
Wrong: 주먹만 하는 돌
Right: 주먹만 한 돌
하다 here behaves like an adjective, so the modifier is 한, not 하는.
Practise N만 하다 on real TOPIK questions
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All TOPIK grammar- -(으)로서-(으)로서 means 'as (in the role or capacity of)'.
- -(이)나마(이)나마 marks something as small or not quite enough, while showing that the speaker still accepts or values it: "even if it's only this, at least…"
- -(으)로부터-(으)로부터 is a formal 'from' for a source or starting point (people, places, time).
- -(이)라든지-(이)라든지 lists examples or alternatives: 'such as A or B / A, B or something'.
- -은/는 물론이고N은/는 물론이고 means 'not to mention N / N, of course, and also …'.
- -마저-마저 means 'even (the last remaining one)': on top of other bad things, even this.
- -조차-조차 means 'even (something so basic)', stressing that not even the minimum happened.
- -치고N치고 means 'for a N / considering it is a N', and the result is different from what you would expect of that kind of thing; with a negative ending it means 'no N at all, without exception'.
- -(으)나-(으)나 is a formal written 'but / however', linking two contrasting clauses.
