What is 마저 Grammar?

The Korean particle 마저 is used to indicate “even” or “also” with an emphasis that the mentioned thing is the last remaining option, person, or situation. It often expresses a nuance of regret, disappointment, or inevitability.

N-마저 grammar

💡 Key point: Unlike other particles like 도, 마저 stresses that something remaining or expected to stay has also been included or lost, often in a negative or unexpected way.

How to Conjugate 마저

Noun + 마저:

가족 → 가족마저 (even family)
기회 → 기회마저 (even the chance)
힘 → 힘마저 (even the strength)

마지막 회망 → 마지막 희망마저 (even the last hope)

When and How to Use 마저

1. To express “even the last thing” was included or lost.

그는 남은 돈마저 잃었어요.
→ He even lost the remaining money.

마지막 기회마저 날아갔어요.

→ Even the last chance was gone.

2. To show regret, despair, or hopelessness.

믿었던 친구마저 배신했어요.
→ Even the friend I trusted betrayed me.

건강마저 잃었어요.

→ I even lost my health.

3. To emphasize unexpected inclusion (often negative).

아이들마저 울기 시작했어요.
→ Even the children started crying.

가벼운 일마저 힘들게 느껴졌어요.
→ Even light work felt difficult.

Differences from Similar Grammar Patterns

Grammar	Meaning	Key Difference
도	Also, too	Neutral “also,” without nuance of regret or last option.
까지	Even, up to	Focuses on extent or range (“up to and including”).
마저	Even (the last/remaining)	Strong nuance of regret, disappointment, or inevitability.
조차	Not even, even (extreme)	Stronger than 마저, often emphasizing impossibility or extremity.

Quick Comparison:

도 → Also/too (neutral)

까지 → Even/up to (range/extent)

마저 → Even (last/remaining, regretful)

조차 → Not even / to the extent that (strong, extreme)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using 마저 for neutral situations.

저는 친구마저 만났어요. (Incorrect – neutral situation)
✔ 저는 친구도 만났어요. (Correct – neutral “also”)

2. Confusing with 조차.

그는 밥마저 먹지 못했어요. (Possible, but softer nuance)
✔ 그는 밥조차 먹지 못했어요. (Stronger meaning: “He couldn’t even eat a meal.”)

Examples of 마저 in Use

1. 그는 친구들마저 떠났어요.
→ Even his friends left him.

2. 친구까지 내 생일을 잊어버렸다.
→ Even my friends forgot my birthday.

3. 마지막 희망마저 사라졌어요.
→ Even the last hope disappeared.

4. 아이들마저 울기 시작했어요.
→ Even the children started crying.

5. 약속마저 잊어버렸어요.
→ I even forgot my appointment.

6. 믿었던 사람마저 거짓말을 했어요.
→ Even the person I trusted lied.

7. 돈마저 다 써버렸어요.
→ I even spent all the money.

8. 기회마저 사라졌어요.
→ Even the opportunity was gone.

9. 부모님마저 반대했어요.
→ Even my parents opposed it.

10. 그 작은 희망마저 무너졌어요.
→ Even that small hope collapsed.

Practice Sentences

Translate into Korean using 마저:

1. Even my best friend betrayed me.

2. I even lost the last chance.

3. Even children participated.

4. Even the easy question was difficult.

Answers:

1. 가장 친한 친구마저 배신했어요.

2. 마지막 기회마저 잃었어요.

3. 아이들마저 참여했어요.

4. 쉬운 문제마저 어려웠어요.

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N-마저 grammar = even (the last/remaining) ~even the last remaining option is negative or unexpected