Learn Korean: 밖에 + Verb

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 밖에 + Verb. The word 밖 originally means outside as in 밖에 나가자 (Let’s go outside). But it loses that meaning when attached to another noun. It becomes apart from, aside from, or except. For example, if someone offers me a mango, I can refuse by saying I only eat apples. If someone asks me to play soccer, I can refuse by saying I only play basketball. The main verbs are 사과를 먹다 (to eat apples) and 농구를 하다 (to play basketball) respectively. We attach 밖에 to the noun (사과밖에/농구밖에) and negate the verb (안 먹다/안 하다). The actual sentences are 사과밖에 안 먹어(요) and 농구밖에 안 해(요). Literally, the mean I don't eat (fruit) aside from apples and I don't play (sports) apart from basketball. We can respond this way when asked Do you eat fruit? or Do you play sports?

선생님은 재영밖에 안 보여.

Our teacher only pays attention to Jaeyoung. She has her eyes set on Jaeyoung, nobody else. She sees no one except Jaeyoung.

 

한국밖에 안 가봤어.

I have never been abroad except Korea. The only country I’ve been to is Korea. I have only been to Korea.

안녕밖에 몰라요.

I don’t know any Korean word aside from annyeong (hello). The only Korean word I know is annyeong. (*The verb 모르다 is already negative.)