-(으)나마
(eu)n ama
Grammar · 1 sense
at least, although, even though
Examples
너나마 와 주어서 다행이다.
I'm glad at least you came.
반찬 없는 밥이나마 많이 자시게.
Even though it's a meal without side dishes, please eat your fill.
먼발치로나마 보게 되어 기뻤다.
I was happy to see it, even if only from a distance.
When you'd hear it
This is somewhat literary and formal, appearing often in writing, speeches, and ceremonially polite speech. It can sound deliberate or old-fashioned in casual conversation, though forms such as 조금이나마 are still common.
What learners get wrong
Unlike -(이)라도, which presents an acceptable alternative, -(으)나마 highlights that what is available is insufficient or less than ideal. It commonly attaches to nouns, as in 도움이나마 or 밥이나마.
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