이미
imi
The English phrase 'already' is translated into Korean as 이미 (imi).
이미 is used to indicate that something has happened prior to a certain time.
Meaning: prior to some time (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize that a state is complete, you can place 이미 at the beginning of the sentence or directly before the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
imi
Did you know?
- While 이미 means 'already', the word 벌써 is also used for 'already' but carries a sense of surprise or disappointment that something happened sooner than expected.
- While 이미 means 'already', if you want to say something is 'already' or 'just' finished in a more conversational way, speakers often use the grammatical ending -어 버렸다.
- The word 이미 was first recorded in the 1517 text Beonyeok nogeoldae, which is one of the earliest examples of a translated novel in Korean history.
Examples in context
- 톰은 그것을 이미 했어.Tom did that already.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say that someone has already performed an action using 이미.Tatoeba #5526631 by raining211, translation #4667011 by CK
- 이 농담은 이미 들어봤어.I've heard this joke already.This sentence shows how to express that a joke has been heard before using 이미.Tatoeba #6820068 by yesjustryan, translation #6033233 by CK
- 이 나비종은 이미 멸종됐다.This species of butterfly has already gone extinct.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a species that has already become extinct using 이미.Tatoeba #3681061 by JangSungHyuk, translation #2656878 by FeuDRenais2
- 이미 먹었어요.I already ate.
- 벌써 일년 지났어요.Already one year has passed.
- 이미 봤어.I already saw it.
- 벌써 이렇게 늦었어?Already this late?
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are talking about a restaurant.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 식당에 도착했어요?Jieun ssi, sikdange dochakaesseoyo?Jieun, have you arrived at the restaurant?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 현우 씨. 저는 이미 도착했어요.ne, Hyunwoo ssi. jeoneun imi dochakaesseoyo.Yes, Hyunwoo. I have already arrived.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo음식이 이미 나왔나요?eumsigi imi nawannayo?Has the food already come out?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 아직 안 나왔어요.aniyo, ajik an nawasseoyo.No, it hasn't come out yet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이미, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
