Usage of '그만'
'그만' is a versatile Korean adverb and expression used to indicate 'that much' or to tell someone to stop doing something. It can mean 'enough' or 'stop it' depending on the context.
Common Meanings
- To express a sufficient amount or degree, similar to 'that much' or 'enough'.
- To tell someone to stop an action, often used in commands or requests.
Typical Collocations
- 그만 먹다: to stop eating
- 그만 하다: to stop doing something
- 그만 좀 해: a common phrase meaning 'stop it' or 'cut it out'
- 그만큼: that much, to that extent
Register and Politeness
'그만' is generally neutral and can be used in casual or polite speech depending on the sentence ending. When combined with polite endings, it becomes softer.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '그만' with '그만큼'. '그만' alone often means 'stop' or 'enough', while '그만큼' specifically means 'that much' or 'to that extent'. Pay attention to the context and suffixes.
Summary
Use '그만' to tell someone to stop an action or to indicate a sufficient amount. It is very common in daily conversation and useful for expressing limits or stopping behavior politely or firmly.