the thing is / the thing (about/with SB/Sth) / the only thing is

글쎄, 문제는 그가 엄청 매력적이고 다 괜찮은데 재미가 없다는 거지. 나 그게 싫어.

 Well, the thing is, he is really attractive and all but he is not funny. I hate it.

 

 

• the thing is

-(informal) used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation

: 실은(중요한 사실·이유·해명을 언급하려고 할 때 씀)

e.g.)

I’m sorry my assignment isn’t finished. The thing is, I’ve had a lot of other work this week.

제게 할당된 몫을 끝내지 못해서 죄송해요. 실은 제가 이번 주에 다른 일이 많았어요.

 

I know you want to expand the business. The thing is, we haven't got the money to do that.

 

 

• the thing (about/with something/somebody) is

-used to introduce a problem about something/somebody

: (~의) 문제는

e.g.)

The thing with Karl is, he's always late.

칼의 문제는 그가 항상 지각을 한다는 점이다

 

 

• the only thing is...

-(informal) used before mentioning a worry or problem you have with something.

: 단지 문제는[걱정되는 것은] …

e.g.)

I'd love to come—the only thing is I might be late.

난 가고 싶어. 단지 내가 좀 늦을지도 몰라서 걱정이야.

 

 

• and all but

-and all is a colloquial expression—do not use it in formal contexts.

It means, approximately, “and everything else that is associated with that”. It is used at the end of a clause, and it is dismissive: it characterizes what that clause says or implies as unimportant or unimpressive. It is almost always followed immediately by a clause (usually headed by but) which expresses what the speaker regards as, in contrast, more important or impressive.