“Still, already” in Korean

Conveying or emphasising the fact that something had already happened or is still happening is a little more nuanced in Korean than it is in English.

아직

English uses the words "still" and "yet" to mean the same thing, but the former is generally used for positive sentences, while the latter is used for negative sentences. Korean uses just one word, 아직.

아직 아침이에요.

It is still morning.

아직 몰라요.

I do not know yet.

The particle -도 can be attached to 아직 for emphasis, adding a connotation of criticism or being a little frustrated.

아직도 몰라요?

How could you still not know?

아직 안 왔어요?

He is not here yet?

아직도 안 왔어요?

He is still not here yet?

벌써

The word 벌써 ("already") is generally used at the beginning of sentences, but not always. The following two sentences are both correct.

벌써 3시예요.

It is already three o'clock.

3시예요, 벌써!

It is three o'clock already!

}:)

벌써 왔어요?

Oh, you are already here!

이미

The word 이미 ("already") is very similar to 벌써, as both have the meaning of "already." However, they are used in subtly different ways. 벌써 carries a sense of surprise, perhaps because something happened quicker than expected, while 이미 is used for established facts.[cite:@talktomeinkoreanTalkMeKorean2015@ssaem2022imi] 벌써 tends to see more usage than 이미 in daily conversation.[cite:@ssaem2022imi]

Native speakers do not always follow these rules to a tee, so don't stress it too much.[cite:@talktomeinkoreanTalkMeKorean2015]

References

• [cite:@talktomeinkoreanTalkMeKorean2015]