KoreanParticles

이나마: Even if only, at least

Target: (이)나마 ((i)nama)

Theory
Practice

advanced

Accepts something that isn't ideal: "even if it's only…", "at least…".

Checked against the official learner dictionary from the National Institute of Korean Language

Noun / adverb+(이)나마(i)nama even if only …
  • After a consonant: 이나마 inama. After a vowel: 나마 nama.
  • Mostly heard in a few set phrases: 조금이나마 jogeuminama, 잠시나마 jamsinama, 늦게나마 neutgenama.

Build it

조금jogeum조금이나마jogeuminamaeven a little
잠시jamsi잠시나마jamsinamaeven briefly
늦게neutge늦게나마neutgenamabelatedly
작은 방jageun bang작은 방이나마jageun banginamaeven if just a small room

When to use it

Being modest

Offering help that might not be much.

조금이나마 보탬이 되고 싶어요.jogeuminama botaemi doego sipeoyo.I'd like to help, even if just a little.

Better late than never

늦게나마 neutgenama, "belatedly".

늦게나마 축하드려요.neutgenama chukadeuryeoyo.Congratulations, even if I'm late.

Making do

It's not ideal, but you accept it.

작은 방이나마 우리 집이 생겼어요.jageun banginama uri jibi saenggyeosseoyo.It's just a small room, but we finally have a place of our own.

Watch out

잠시이나마
잠시나마jamsinamaeven briefly

After a vowel, use 나마 nama.

조금나마
조금이나마jogeuminamaeven a little

After a consonant, use 이나마 inama.

In context

9 examples
  1. 1

    조금이나마 도움이 되면 좋겠어요.

    Jogeuminama doumi doemyeon jokesseoyo.

    I hope it helps, even if only a little.

  2. 2

    늦게나마 생일 축하해요.

    Neutgenama saengil chukahaeyo.

    Happy belated birthday.

  3. 3

    잠시나마 쉴 수 있어서 좋았어요.

    Jamsinama swil su isseoseo joasseoyo.

    It was nice to rest, even just for a bit.

  4. 4

    짧게나마 인사드리겠습니다.

    Jjalgenama insadeurigetseumnida.

    Let me say a few brief words.

  5. 5

    적은 돈이나마 받아 주세요.

    Jeogeun doninama bada juseyo.

    It's not much money, but please accept it.

  6. 6

    잠시나마 걱정을 잊을 수 있었어요.

    Jamsinama geokjeongeul ijeul su isseosseoyo.

    For a little while, at least, I could forget my worries.

  7. 7

    이렇게나마 연락할 수 있어서 다행이에요.

    Ireokenama yeollakal su isseoseo dahaengieyo.

    I'm glad we can stay in touch, even if it's only like this.

  8. 8

    늦게나마 사과하고 싶어요.

    Neutgenama sagwahago sipeoyo.

    I know it's late, but I want to apologize.

  9. 9

    조금이나마 마음이 편해졌어요.

    Jogeuminama maeumi pyeonhaejyeosseoyo.

    I feel a little better, at least.

Practice

8 questions
Which form?1 / 8

잠시 + (이)나마

(이)나마 or (이)라도?

Both can come out as "at least" in English, but they're used in different moments. (이)라도 is for picking a second-best option when the first one isn't available:

  • 물이라도 주세요. murirado juseyo "Then just water, please."

(이)나마 is for accepting or offering something you already have, while admitting it's not much. It's also more modest and a little more formal:

  • 적은 돈이나마 받아 주세요. jeogeun doninama bada juseyo "It's not much money, but please accept it."

Look it up in the dictionary

The entry for 이나마 in two trusted Korean dictionaries.

이나마 in the Naver Korean Dictionary (in Korean) 이나마 in the Basic Korean Dictionary (NIKL) (with English)
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