Time Expressions

10 patterns in this category

N 전에, V-기 전에

Before. Expresses that something happens before a certain time or action.

Noun + 전에. 식사 + 전에 → 식사 전에 (before meal). Verb stem + 기 전에. 먹다 → 먹기 전에 (before eating). 가다 → 가기 전에 (before going).

Beginner

N 후에, V-(으)ㄴ 후에

After. Expresses that something happens after a certain time or action.

Noun + 후에. 식사 + 후에 → 식사 후에 (after meal). Verb stem + (으)ㄴ 후에. 먹다 → 먹은 후에 (after eating). 가다 → 간 후에 (after going).

Beginner

V-고 나서

After doing. Expresses that something happens after completing an action.

Verb stem + 고 나서. 먹다 → 먹고 나서 (after eating). 가다 → 가고 나서 (after going). Used for sequence: 밥을 먹고 나서 운동해요 (exercise after eating).

Beginner

V-아/어서 ①

So/Therefore (result). Expresses cause and effect, meaning 'so', 'therefore', or 'as a result'.

Stem ending in ㅏ/ㅗ + 아서. Other stems + 어서. 하다 verbs: 해서. 가다 → 가서 (because going). 먹다 → 먹어서 (because eating). 공부하다 → 공부해서 (because studying).

Beginner

N 때, A/V-(으)ㄹ 때

When. Expresses the time when something happens or a condition.

Noun + 때. 어릴 때 (when young). Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 때. 가다 → 갈 때 (when going). Past adjective: 어렸을 때 (when was young).

Beginner

V-(으)면서

While. Expresses two actions happening simultaneously.

Verb stem ending in vowel + 면서. Verb stem ending in consonant + 으면서. 듣다 → 들으면서 (while listening). 가다 → 가면서 (while going). 먹다 → 먹으면서 (while eating).

Beginner

N 중, V-는 중

In the middle of / In progress. Expresses that something is currently happening or in progress.

Noun + 중. 식사 + 중 → 식사 중 (during meal). Verb stem + 는 중. 공부하다 → 공부하는 중 (in the middle of studying). Used with 이다: 공부하는 중이에요 (I am in the middle of studying).

Beginner

V-자마자

As soon as. Expresses that something happens immediately after another action.

Verb stem + 자마자. 도착하다 → 도착하자마자 (as soon as arriving). 가다 → 가자마자 (as soon as going). Used for immediate sequence: 도착하자마자 전화했어요 (called as soon as arriving).

Beginner

N 동안, V-는 동안

During/While. Expresses the duration of time or period during which something happens.

Noun + 동안. 한 시간 + 동안 → 한 시간 동안 (for an hour). Verb stem + 는 동안. 공부하다 → 공부하는 동안 (while studying). Used for duration: 한 시간 동안 기다렸어요 (waited for an hour).

Beginner

V-(으)ㄴ 지

Since/After. Expresses the time that has passed since an action occurred, often used with time expressions.

Past verb + (으)ㄴ 지. 오다 → 온 지 (since coming). 가다 → 간 지 (since going). Used with time: 온 지 3년이에요 (it has been 3 years since coming).

Beginner