Learn Hardcore Korean: jigeum 5bunbakke eobseoyo.

밖에 is a particle meaning “only,” “no more than,” or “nothing but.” It expresses limitation.
It must be followed by a negative form such as 없다, 아니다, 안 V, or 못 V.
Examples:
- 돈밖에 없어요. = I have nothing but money.
- 물밖에 안 마셔요. = I drink only water.
- 한국어밖에 못 해요. = I can speak only Korean.
So 5분밖에 없어요 literally means “There isn’t anything except five minutes,” i.e., “I only have five minutes.”

Why is it 없어요 and not 있어요?

Because 밖에 requires a negative predicate. 지금 5분밖에 있어요 is ungrammatical.
If you want a neutral “only,” use 만 with a positive verb, e.g., 지금은 5분만 (시간이) 있어요 “I have only five minutes now” (neutral, not lamenting).

What’s the difference between 밖에 and 만?

밖에 + negative: restrictive with a sense of insufficiency or regret.
- 지금 5분밖에 없어요. (Sounds like “That’s all, and it’s not much.”)
만 + positive: neutral “only/just.”
- 지금은 5분만 (시간이) 있어요. (Just stating a limit; less negative.)
- 5분만 기다려 주세요. = Please wait just five minutes.

Do I need to say 시간?

No. Korean often omits obvious nouns. 지금 5분밖에 없어요 is natural.
If you want to be explicit: 지금은 시간이 5분밖에 없어요. = As for now, I have only five minutes (of time).
To emphasize “remaining time,” you can say: 지금은 5분밖에 안 남았어요. = Only five minutes are left.

Where should 지금 go, and what about 지금은?

지금 usually goes at the start: 지금 5분밖에 없어요.
With the topic particle, 지금은 adds contrast (“as for now”): 지금은 5분밖에 없어요.
Don’t say 5분밖에 지금 없어요; it sounds awkward.
Note: 지금밖에 시간이 없어요 means “I only have time now (no other time),” which is a different meaning.

Can I say 다섯 분밖에 없어요?

Is the spacing in 5분밖에 correct?

Yes. Particles attach to the preceding word: 5분밖에 (no space before 밖에).
With digits, counters attach: 5분 (no space).
If you spell the number out, write a space before the counter: 오 분밖에 없어요 (오 + 분 are spaced), but many people still write 오분 in informal contexts.

How is it pronounced naturally?

지금 → [지금]
5분/오 분 → [오 분], often assimilates to [오 붐] before ㅂ-sounds
밖에 → [바께] (not [바게])
없어요 → [업써요]
Whole sentence: approximately [지금 오 분바께 업써요], and in fast speech often [지금 오 붐바께 업써요].

Does 밖에 also mean “outside”? How do I tell the difference?

Yes. 밖에 can be “outside” (밖) + location particle 에: 집 밖에 있어요. = I’m outside the house.
In your sentence it’s the limiting particle “only,” which typically pairs with a negative: 5분밖에 없어요.
Use context: if it’s marking limitation and followed by a negative, it’s the “only” particle.

Could I use 이제 instead of 지금?

지금 = right now (purely temporal).
이제 = as of now/anymore (implies a change of state).
이제 5분밖에 없어요 sounds like “We’re down to only five minutes now (we used to have more).”
지금 5분밖에 없어요 just states the current limitation.

Any other natural ways to say this?

지금은 5분밖에 안 남았어요. = There are only five minutes left now.
시간이 5분밖에 없어요.
Neutral (no “regret” nuance): 지금 딱 5분 있어요. = I’ve got exactly five minutes now.

Can 밖에 be used with verbs other than 있다/없다?

Yes, with other negatives:
- 물밖에 안 마셔요. = I drink only water.
- 주말밖에 못 쉬어요. = I can rest only on weekends.
There’s also the set pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 = “have no choice but to V”:
- 기다릴 수밖에 없어요. = We have no choice but to wait.

Can I say 5분밖에는 없어요?

Yes. Adding the topic marker -는/은 after 밖에 (밖에는) adds emphasis to the exclusivity:
- 지금은 5분밖에는 없어요. = As for now, there’s nothing but five minutes.

What’s the implied subject here?

It’s usually understood from context: “I/we only have five minutes now” or “There are only five minutes left.”
To be explicit:
- 저는 지금 5분밖에 없어요. = I only have five minutes now.
- 우리는 지금 5분밖에 없어요. = We only have five minutes now.

What politeness levels could I use?