N에 불과하다
be no more than, merely
Level 5 · Expression
Explanation
Stresses that an amount or value is small or insignificant. Follows a noun, often a number or ratio. Common in statistics and news.
Examples
참가자는 열 명에 불과했다.
There were no more than ten participants.
그것은 소문에 불과하니 믿지 마세요.
That's only a rumour, so don't believe it.
재활용 비율은 전체의 20%에 불과하다.
The recycling rate is a mere 20% of the total.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 9–12 (charts), Writing 53.