-지만
-jiman
Admit it, then turn: -지만
The picture Taking a step forward, then turning sharply the other way from that spot. -지만 grants the first half and turns the other way, while -는데 lays out ground for what comes next — which is why only -는데 can trail off on its own (이사 가는데요), whereas -지만 always needs a second half.
Where the picture shows up in -지만
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granted, then turning
맛있지만 좀 비싸요.
ma-sit-ji-man jom bi-ssa-yo
It's delicious, but a bit pricey.
A nod after the first bite, then the eyes sliding to the price tag and the brow tightening.
-
politeness before a request
죄송하지만 자리 좀 바꿔 주시겠어요?
joe-song-ha-ji-man ja-ri jom ba-kkwo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo
Sorry, but could we switch seats?
A small bow of the head first, then a hand pointing at the seat next to you.
죄송하지만 and 실례지만 are set phrases that soften a request.
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against expectation
전화했지만 안 받았어요.
jeon-hwa-haet-ji-man an ba-da-sseo-yo
I called, but nobody picked up.
Looking down at a screen where the ringing has just stopped, unanswered.
-
both faces admitted
한국말은 어렵지만 재미있어요.
han-gung-ma-reun eo-ryeop-ji-man jae-mi-i-sseo-yo
Korean is hard, but it's fun.
Sighing over a notebook packed with writing, and the corners of the mouth going up anyway.
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the person on the other side
저는 못 가지만 친구는 갈 거예요.
jeo-neun mot ga-ji-man chin-gu-neun gal geo-ye-yo
I can't go, but my friend will.
One person staying put while the one beside them shoulders a bag and heads for the door.
All of it in one picture
-지만 is taking a step and then turning on the spot. Grant that it tastes good, then turn toward the price; grant your apology first, then turn toward the favor; grant that you called, then turn toward nobody answering. Stand 'hard' and 'fun' on opposite sides and you are admitting both faces; stand yourself on one side and your friend on the other and it becomes people splitting. So -지만 never erases the first half — it leaves it standing and sets the second half up facing the other way.