-자마자
Used to express that the second action occurs immediately after the first action finishes. There is no delay between the two events.
Summary
Equivalent
As soon as / Right after
Also: -(으)ㄴ 즉시 (As soon as - formal) · -는 대로 (As soon as)
Example
As soon as I arrived home, I washed my hands.
집에 도착하자마자 손을 씻었어요.
Grammar rules
- Attach directly to the verb stem regardless of vowel/consonant endings (e.g., 먹자마자, 오자마자).
- Tense is only expressed in the final verb.
- The subjects of the first and second clauses can be different.
내가 집에 도착하자마자 비가 왔어요. (As soon as I arrived home, it rained. [Subjects: I, rain])
Patterns
All Verbs
N/A · Verb Stem + 자마자
Example sentences
As soon as I arrived home, I washed my hands.
집에 도착하자마자 손을 씻었어요.
I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.
너무 피곤해서 눕자마자 잠이 들었어요.
As soon as I wake up in the morning, I drink water.
아침에 일어나자마자 물을 마십니다.
Conversation
A: Did the train leave?
기차가 출발했어요?
B: Yes, it left as soon as we arrived at the station.
네, 우리가 기차역에 도착하자마자 출발했어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Complete the sentence with the 'as soon as' ending.
Graduating.
Entering.