Advanced Estimated read: 3 mins

-는 김에

Used when an already-occurring action or situation creates an opportunity to also do another related, unplanned action.

Summary

Equivalent

While I'm at it / Since I'm doing X anyway...

Also: -(으)ㄹ 겸 (해서)

Example

Since you're going to the grocery store anyway, can you also pick up some milk?

슈퍼에 가는 김에 우유도 좀 사다 줄래요?

Grammar rules

  • It implies 'Since I'm already doing [X], I'll take the opportunity to also do [Y].' If the action in the first clause finishes completely before the second starts, use '-(으)ㄴ 김에'.
  • If they happen nearly simultaneously, use '-는 김에'.
  • The action in the following clause is almost always something unplanned that takes advantage of the opportunity.

    마트에 간 김에 오늘 저녁 반찬도 사 왔어요. (While I was at the grocery store anyway, I also bought side dishes for dinner.)

Patterns

1

V (Verbs)

과거/완료 (Past/Completed) · -(으)ㄴ 김에

2

V (Verbs)

현재 (Present) · -는 김에

Example sentences

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 김에

Since you're going to the grocery store anyway, can you also pick up some milk?

슈퍼에 가는 김에 우유도 좀 사다 줄래요?

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 김에

Since you're already up, can you close the window?

일어난 김에 창문 좀 닫아 줄 수 있어요?

V (Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -는 김에

Since I was already at the expo, I browsed all the other exhibitions too.

박람회에 온 김에 다른 전시도 다 둘러봤어요.

Conversation

A: Are you on your way back from the bank?

은행에 다녀오는 길이에요?

B: Yes, since I was at the bank anyway, I also paid the utility bills.

네, 은행에 간 김에 공과금도 내고 왔어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct phrase indicating 'while I'm already doing this, I'll also...'.

이미 일어났으니까 커피라도 끓이겠어요.

청소를 하는 중에 창고도 정리했어요.