When Connector: -을 때, -자마자, -고 나서¶
Quick Reference
-을 때: "when, at the time of" (general timing) -자마자: "as soon as, right after" (immediate succession) -고 나서: "after doing" (after completion with gap) Key Difference: -을 때 = simultaneous or general time | -자마자 = immediate | -고 나서 = sequential with completion
Detailed Explanation¶
Korean has several ways to express temporal relationships. Each pattern carries specific nuances about timing, sequence, and the relationship between events.
Formation Rules¶
-을 때¶
Based on final consonant:
- Stem ends in vowel or ㄹ → ㄹ 때
- 가다 → 갈 때
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만들다 → 만들 때 (ㄹ stays)
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Stem ends in consonant → 을 때
- 먹다 → 먹을 때
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읽다 → 읽을 때
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For past tense: Add 았/었 before 을 때
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갔을 때, 먹었을 때
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For adjectives: Same rules apply
- 춥다 → 추울 때
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바쁘다 → 바쁠 때
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For nouns: Noun + 일 때
- 학생 → 학생일 때
- 어렸다 → 어렸을 때
-자마자¶
Simple formation for all verbs:
- All verbs: Stem + 자마자
- 가다 → 가자마자
- 먹다 → 먹자마자
- 듣다 → 듣자마자
Note: Cannot be used with adjectives or nouns
-고 나서¶
Simple formation for all verbs:
- All verbs: Stem + 고 나서
- 가다 → 가고 나서
- 먹다 → 먹고 나서
- 공부하다 → 공부하고 나서
Note: Only used with action verbs (cannot use with adjectives)
Detailed Usage¶
1. -을 때: "When/At the time of"¶
Most versatile time expression. Used for:
A. Simultaneous Actions¶
Actions happening at the same time:
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음악을 들을 때 공부해요. I study when I listen to music. (while)
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밥을 먹을 때 텔레비전을 봐요. I watch TV when I eat. (while eating)
B. General Time Reference¶
General point in time when something happens:
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시간이 있을 때 연락하세요. Contact me when you have time.
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날씨가 좋을 때 산책하러 가요. When the weather is nice, I go for a walk.
C. Past Time Reference (았/었을 때)¶
Referring to a specific past time:
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어렸을 때 부산에 살았어요. When I was young, I lived in Busan.
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한국에 갔을 때 친구를 만났어요. When I went to Korea, I met a friend.
D. Future Time Reference¶
- 한국에 갈 때 선물을 사 올게요. When I go to Korea, I'll buy you a gift.
2. -자마자: "As soon as/Right after"¶
Emphasizes immediate succession. The second action happens right after the first with no gap.
A. Immediate Actions¶
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집에 오자마자 잤어요. As soon as I came home, I slept.
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아침에 일어나자마자 커피를 마셔요. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I drink coffee.
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전화를 받자마자 나갔어요. As soon as I received the call, I left.
B. Instant Reactions¶
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그 소식을 듣자마자 기뻤어요. As soon as I heard the news, I was happy.
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시험이 끝나자마자 여행을 갔어요. As soon as the exam ended, I went on a trip.
3. -고 나서: "After doing"¶
Emphasizes completion and allows for a time gap between actions.
A. Sequential Actions with Completion¶
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숙제를 하고 나서 놀았어요. After doing homework, I played.
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밥을 먹고 나서 설거지를 해요. After eating, I do the dishes.
B. Emphasizing Completion¶
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이 책을 다 읽고 나서 드릴게요. After I finish reading this book, I'll give it to you.
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생각하고 나서 결정할게요. After thinking about it, I'll decide.
C. With Time Expressions¶
Can include time gap between actions:
- 회의가 끝나고 나서 30분 후에 만나요. Let's meet 30 minutes after the meeting ends.
Key Differences¶
-을 때 vs -자마자 vs -고 나서¶
| Feature | -을 때 | -자마자 | -고 나서 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing | During/when | Immediately after | After completion |
| Gap allowed | Simultaneous or gap | No gap | Gap allowed |
| Emphasis | Time point | Immediacy | Completion |
| With adjectives | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Past form | 았/었을 때 | No past form | No past form |
Comparison Examples¶
Same situation, different nuances:
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-을 때: 학교에 갈 때 친구를 만났어요. When I was going to school, I met a friend. (during the journey)
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-자마자: 학교에 가자마자 친구를 만났어요. As soon as I got to school, I met a friend. (immediately upon arrival)
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-고 나서: 학교에 가고 나서 친구를 만났어요. After going to school, I met a friend. (sometime after arriving)
Common Patterns¶
-자마자 emphasizes speed:¶
- 문을 열자마자 고양이가 나갔어요. As soon as I opened the door, the cat went out.
-고 나서 emphasizes order and completion:¶
- 샤워하고 나서 잠을 잤어요. After showering, I slept.
-을 때 for states and conditions:¶
- 피곤할 때는 쉬어야 해요. When you're tired, you should rest.
More Examples¶
Using -을 때¶
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한국어를 공부할 때 음악을 들어요. When I study Korean, I listen to music.
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어제 집에 왔을 때 비가 왔어요. When I came home yesterday, it was raining.
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시간이 없을 때는 택시를 타요. When I don't have time, I take a taxi.
Using -자마자¶
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벨이 울리자마자 학생들이 나갔어요. As soon as the bell rang, the students left.
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영화가 시작하자마자 잠들었어요. I fell asleep as soon as the movie started.
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선물을 보자마자 좋아했어요. I liked it as soon as I saw the gift.
Using -고 나서¶
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운동하고 나서 샤워해요. After exercising, I shower.
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영화를 보고 나서 저녁을 먹었어요. After watching a movie, we ate dinner.
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일이 끝나고 나서 연락할게요. I'll contact you after work is finished.
Practice¶
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Fill in the blank using -을 때: 날씨가 좋___ 공원에 가요.
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Connect using -자마자: 집에 도착하다 + 전화했어요.
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Connect using -고 나서: 청소하다 + 쉴 거예요.
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Choose the correct connector: The moment I heard it, I understood. a) 들을 때 b) 듣자마자 c) 듣고 나서
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Translate: When I was a child, I lived in Seoul. (어리다, 서울에 살다)
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Which emphasizes immediate succession?: 문을 열___ 들어왔어요. a) 열 때 b) 열자마자 c) 열고 나서
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Create a sentence with -을 때 showing simultaneous actions (요리하다, 노래를 부르다)
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Explain the difference:
- 밥을 먹을 때 전화했어요.
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밥을 먹자마자 전화했어요.
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Translate using -고 나서: After thinking about it, I decided. (생각하다, 결정하다)
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Fix if wrong: 바쁘자마자 연락하세요. (If wrong, provide correct form)