전
jeon[t͡ɕʌ̹n]
The Korean word for "ago" is 전 (jeon).
전 is used to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed or gone by. You can use it to specify various durations, such as 몇 년 전에 (a few years ago), 몇 달 전에 (a few months ago) or 몇 주일 전에 (a few weeks ago). In informal, colloquial situations, you might use the phrase 얼마 전에 to mean "a while ago".
Meaning: past, gone by, since (postp)
Which one should you use?
In the context of a time duration, 전 functions as "ago" to count back from the present.
How does it change in a sentence?
전 functions as a postpositional particle that is attached directly to a noun representing a period of time.
How do you pronounce it?
jeon
Did you know?
- Because 전 is a homophone for several other words, its meaning depends entirely on context. It can refer to a field, money, a pancake or the concept of 'entirety'.
- The word 전 comes from the Chinese character 前, which also means 'front'. In Korean, time is often conceptualized as something that sits in front of you as you move forward.
- In certain traditional contexts, 전 can be used to describe a previous life or a previous incarnation in Buddhist-influenced terminology.
Examples in context
- 그는 사흘 전에 떠났다.He left three days ago.This sentence shows how to use 전 to say someone left three days ago.Tatoeba #11105494 by intertime, translation #296990 by CK
- 반년 전부터 금연하고 있다.I quit smoking half a year ago.This sentence shows how to use 전 to say someone quit smoking half a year ago.Tatoeba #10576583 by ssuss32, translation #895805 by pauldhunt
- 이 사진 일주일 전에 찍었어.I took this picture a week ago.This sentence shows how to use 전 to say a picture was taken a week ago.Tatoeba #9696364 by Eunhee, translation #1104791 by jackloring
- 저는 한 달 전에 강사가 되었습니다.I became a teacher a month ago.
- 얼마 전에 영화를 봤어.I saw the movie a while ago.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about when they met.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 처음 언제 만났지?uri cheoeum eonje mannassji?When did we first meet?
- 민지 Min-ji우리는 2년 전에 만났어.urineun i-nyeon jeone mannasseo.We met two years ago.
- 지훈 Ji-hun벌써 시간이 그렇게 됐구나.beolsseo sigani geureoke dwaetguna.Time has passed so quickly already.
- 민지 Min-ji응, 정말 빨리 지나갔어.eung, jeongmal ppalli jinagasseo.Yes, it really went by fast.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 전, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
