π Grammar 6: Time Expressions in Korean – Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday
π Time Expressions in Korean – Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday
How do you say "today", "tomorrow", or "now" in Korean? Time expressions are essential in daily conversations, especially when you want to talk about schedules, plans, or past events.
This post will teach you the most common Korean time expressions with Romanization, example sentences, and practical tips so you can start using them right away!
π Common Korean Time Words
English | Korean | Romanization |
---|---|---|
now | μ§κΈ | ji-geum |
today | μ€λ | o-neul |
tomorrow | λ΄μΌ | nae-il |
yesterday | μ΄μ | eo-je |
this morning | μ€λ μμΉ¨ | o-neul a-chim |
tonight | μ€λ λ°€ | o-neul bam |
this weekend | μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§ | i-beon ju-mal |
next week | λ€μ μ£Ό | da-eum ju |
last week | μ§λ μ£Ό | ji-nan ju |
π§ How to Use Time Words in Sentences
In Korean, time words usually come at the beginning of the sentence or before the verb.
- μ€λ 곡λΆν΄μ – I study today.
- μ΄μ μνλ₯Ό λ΄€μ΄μ – I watched a movie yesterday.
- μ§κΈ λ°₯μ λ¨Ήμ΄μ – I am eating now.
Just like in English, time gives context to what you're saying!
π Example Sentences with Time Expressions
Korean | English | Romanization |
---|---|---|
μ§κΈ λ ν΄μ? | What are you doing now? | ji-geum mwo hae-yo? |
λ΄μΌ λ§λμ! | See you tomorrow! | nae-il man-na-yo |
μ΄μ νκ΅μ κ°μ΄μ. | I went to school yesterday. | eo-je hak-gyo-e gat-sseo-yo |
μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§μ λ ν κ±°μμ? | What are you doing this weekend? | i-beon ju-mal-e mwo hal geo-ye-yo? |
π Combining Time with Verbs
Time expressions are used with various tenses:
- Present: μ§κΈ μ΄λν΄μ – I’m exercising now
- Past: μ΄μ νΌμ λ¨Ήμμ΄μ – I ate pizza yesterday
- Future: λ΄μΌ μΉκ΅¬λ₯Ό λ§λ κ±°μμ – I will meet my friend tomorrow
π‘ TIP: Add particle μ when time is used precisely (ex: 3μμ, μμΉ¨μ), but general time expressions (μ€λ, λ΄μΌ) don't need a particle.
π Mini Quiz – Choose the Right Expression
- What does “μ§κΈ” mean?
a) Tomorrow
b) Yesterday
c) Now
Click to Show Answer
✅ c) Now
- Translate: “I will go tomorrow.”
a) μ΄μ κ°μ
b) λ΄μΌ κ° κ±°μμ
c) μ§κΈ κ°μ
Click to Show Answer
✅ b) λ΄μΌ κ° κ±°μμ
- Choose the correct Korean for “See you this weekend.”
a) μ§λ μ£Όμ λ΄μ
b) μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§μ λ΄μ
c) λ΄μΌ λ΄μ
Click to Show Answer
✅ b) μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§μ λ΄μ
✅ Conclusion
Time expressions in Korean help you sound natural and clear when you speak. You learned how to say:
- μ€λ – today
- λ΄μΌ – tomorrow
- μ΄μ – yesterday
- μ§κΈ – now
- μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§ – this weekend
Practice using them in real sentences every day – what you did yesterday, what you’re doing now, and what you’ll do tomorrow!
π Coming Next
Next post: “How to Use ~κ³ – Connecting Sentences in Korean”
You’ll learn how to link ideas smoothly using the verb connector ~κ³ (and), like "I eat and go" – λ¨Ήκ³ κ°μ!
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