How to use "when" in Korean as both a question word and a conjuction

Using 'When' in Korean as Both a Question Word and a Conjunction

Understanding the usage of the word 'when' in Korean is essential for effective communication. Just like in English, 'when' in Korean serves two main purposes - it can be used as a question word and as a conjunction. 

 

 

'When' as a Question Word, this translates to "언제"(Eonje)

When used as a question word in Korean, 'when' is translated as "언제" (Eonje). This is used to inquire about the time of an event or action, similar to how 'when' is used in English. Let's take a look at some examples.

 

"언제 일어났어?"

(Eonje ileonass-eo?)

This means  "When did you wake up?"

Here, we're asking about the time someone woke up.

 

"언제 도착할 거야?"

(Eonje dochakhal geoya?)

This means "When will you arrive?"

Here, we're asking about the time someone is expected to arrive.

 

"언제 만나자?"

(Eonje mannaja?)

This means "When shall we meet?"

Here, we're proposing a meeting and asking for a suitable time.

 

"언제 공부했어?"

(Eonje gongbuhaess-eo?)

This means "When did you study?"

Here, we're asking about the time someone studied.

 

'When' as a Conjunction, this translates to "~할 때" (~hal ttae)

As a conjunction, 'when' is translated as "~할 때" (~hal ttae) in Korean. This term is used to connect two clauses, indicating that one event occurs at the same time as another event. Let's delve into some examples.

 

"나는 여가 시간이 있을 때 공부해"

(Naneun yeoga sigan-i iss-eul ttae gongbuhae)

This means "I study when I have free time."

In this sentence, the studying happens at the time when there is free time.

 

"너가 웃을 때 나도 행복해"

(Neoga useul ttae nado haengbokhae)

This means  "I am happy when you laugh."

Here, the speaker's happiness occurs at the same time as the other person's laughter.

 

"비가 올 때 우산을 쓰세요"

(Biga ol ttae usan-eul sseuseyo)

This means "Use an umbrella when it rains."

Here, the action of using an umbrella is advised to occur at the same time as the event of raining.

 

"나는 음악을 들을 때 일해"

(Naneun eumag-eul deul-eul ttae ilhae)

This means "I work when I listen to music."

In this sentence, the work happens at the same time as listening to music.

 

The use of "~할 때" (~hal ttae) as a conjunction in Korean might seem tricky at first, but with regular practice and usage in your daily conversations, it will become second nature. 

 

Understanding the context is the key to use 'when' in korean correctly

Context is everything when it comes to understanding and using the word 'when' correctly in Korean.

Depending on whether it's being used as a question word or a conjunction, the meaning of 'when' can change significantly. Let's look at some examples

 

"언제 먹을까?"

(Eonje meogeulkka?)

This means "When should we eat?"

Here, 'when' is used as a question word to ask about the timing of an event (eating).

 

"아침을 먹을 때 신문을 읽어"

(Achim-eul meogeul ttae sinmun-eul ilg-eo)

This means  "Read the newspaper when you eat breakfast."

In this case, 'when' is used as a conjunction to describe two events happening at the same time (eating breakfast and reading the newspaper).

 

As you can see, the way 'when' is used in these two sentences changes their meanings entirely. The first sentence is asking about a time, and the second sentence is describing simultaneous events. Therefore, understanding the context is crucial to accurately interpret and use 'when' in Korean.

 

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

it's natural to make mistakes along the way. When learning how to use 'when' in Korean, there are a few common mistakes to be aware of.

 

Mixing up "언제" (Eonje) and "~할 때" (~hal ttae)

The most common mistake learners make is confusing "언제" (Eonje), which is 'when' as a question word, and "~할 때" (~hal ttae), which is 'when' as a conjunction. Remember, "언제" (Eonje) is used to ask about a specific time, like in "언제 도착할 거야?" (Eonje dochakhal geoya? - When will you arrive?).

 

On the other hand, "~할 때" (~hal ttae) is used to indicate that two events happen at the same time, like in "나는 여가 시간이 있을 때 공부해" (Naneun yeoga sigan-i iss-eul ttae gongbuhae - I study when I have free time).

 

Misusing "~할 때" (~hal ttae)

Another common mistake is using "~할 때" (~hal ttae) incorrectly. "~할 때" (~hal ttae) should be attached to a verb stem, not a noun. For example, "음악을 들을 때" (eumag-eul deul-eul ttae - when listening to music) is correct, but "음악 때" (eumag ttae) is incorrect.

 

Conclusion

here, we've delved into the use of 'when' in the Korean language, focusing on its usage as a question word and as a conjunction.

 

As a question word, 'when' is translated to "언제" (Eonje) in Korean and is used to inquire about the time of an event or action. For example, "언제 일어났어?" (Eonje ileonass-eo?) means "When did you wake up?"

 

When 'when' is used as a conjunction, it's translated to "~할 때" (~hal ttae), and is used to indicate that one event happens at the same time as another. For instance, "나는 여가 시간이 있을 때 공부해" (Naneun yeoga sigan-i iss-eul ttae gongbuhae) translates to "I study when I have free time."

 

Understanding the context is crucial in determining whether 'when' is used as a question word or a conjunction. Common mistakes often stem from confusing these two usages, but with a clear understanding of the context and regular practice, these can be avoided.