갑자기
gapjagi[ka̠p̚t͡ɕ͈a̠ɡi]
In Korean, "all of a sudden" can be expressed as 갑자기 (gapjagi). Wiktionary also lists 불현듯 (bulhyeondeut) and 불현듯이 (bulhyeondeusi).
Meaning: colloquial: suddenly (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 갑자기 | gapjagi | [ka̠p̚t͡ɕ͈a̠ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 불현듯 | bulhyeondeut | [puɾʝʌ̹ndɯt̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 불현듯이 | bulhyeondeusi |
The term 갑자기 is a general way to say "suddenly" or "all of a sudden" regarding any event or change.
Which one should you use?
While 갑자기 is a general term for any sudden event, 불현듯 is more commonly used for a sudden thought, memory or feeling that pops into one's head. The form 불현듯이 is a variation of 불현듯 used in more descriptive or literary contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The addition of the particle –이 in the form 불현듯이 emphasizes its adverbial nature, which is often seen in literary writing.
How do you pronounce it?
gapjagi
Did you know?
- The word 불현듯 carries a hidden imagery of light, stemming from the combination of 'fire' and an archaic verb meaning 'to light a fire'. It evokes the sensation of a sudden glare or a light being switched on in a dark room.
- Using 갑자기 to describe a sudden realization or epiphany can sound mechanical or unnatural compared to the more poetic 불현듯.
Examples in context
- 갑자기 비가 오기 시작했다.All of a sudden, it began raining.This sentence shows how to use 갑자기 to describe sudden weather changes.Tatoeba #11106677 by intertime, translation #280689 by CK
- 그때 갑자기, 그녀가 웃기 시작했다.All of a sudden, she began to laugh.This sentence demonstrates using 갑자기 to describe a sudden action.Tatoeba #11105404 by intertime, translation #316041 by CK
- 갑자기 머리가 아프다.I've got a headache all of a sudden.This sentence uses 갑자기 to describe a sudden physical sensation.Tatoeba #6305059 by Queserasera, translation #6728427 by jej13b
- 갑자기 비가 왔어요.All of a sudden, it started raining.
- 갑작스럽게 바람이 불어서 기분이 좋아졌어요.All of a sudden, the wind blew, and my mood improved.
- 갑자기 퍽! 문이 닫혔어요.All of a sudden, bang! The door closed.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about a movie they watched.
- 민지 Min-ji그 영화 갑자기 어떻게 변했어?geu yeonghwa gapjagi eotteoke byeonhaesseo?How did that movie suddenly change?
- 민준 Min-jun결말이 갑자기 무서워졌어.gyeolmari gapjagi museowojyeosseo.The ending suddenly became scary.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 정말 깜짝 놀랐겠다.Minjun ssi, jeongmal kkamjjak nollatgetda.Minjun, you must have been really surprised.
- 민준 Min-jun응, 너무 갑작스러웠어.eung, neomu gapjaksureowosseo.Yeah, it was too sudden.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “all of a sudden” translations and entries 갑자기, 불현듯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 갑자기, 불현듯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
