오전과 오후
ojeon-gwa ohu
The phrase "am and pm" is translated into Korean as 오전과 오후 (ojeon-gwa ohu).
While English speakers use 'AM' and 'PM', Korean speakers use the full words 오전 (ojeon) and 오후 (ohu) in both speech and writing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for AM, 오전, literally means "before noon". The word for PM, 오후, literally means "after noon".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the AM/PM indicator is placed before the time, whereas in English it is placed after the time. For example, to say "10:00 AM", you would say 오전 10시.
How do you pronounce it?
ojeon-gwa ohu
Did you know?
- The character 午 in 오전 and 오후 refers to the 'Horse' in the Chinese zodiac, representing the period between 11 am and 1 pm.
- While 오전 and 오후 are standard, Koreans often use the term 새벽 (dawn/early morning) to describe hours between 1 am and 6 am, as 오전 can feel too broad.
- In very formal or traditional contexts, you might see the 12-hour cycle replaced by the 'Twelve Earthly Branches', where 오 (Horse) specifically marks the peak of noon.
Examples in context
- 오후 3시에 만나자.Let's meet at 3 PM.
- 아침 9시에 일어났어요.I woke up at 9 AM.
- 저녁 7시에 식사를 하겠습니다.I will have dinner at 7 PM.
- 오전과 오후를 구분해야 해요.ojeon-gwa ohu-reul gubunhaeya haeyo.You must distinguish between am and pm.
- 오전과 오후 시간이 모두 바뀌었어요.ojeon-gwa ohu sigani modu bakkwieosseoyo.Both am and pm times have changed.
- 오전과 오후를 헷갈리지 마세요.ojeon-gwa ohu-reul hetgalliji maseyo.Don't confuse am and pm.
Example conversation
Jieun and Jihun are checking their meeting time.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 우리 몇 시에 만나요?Jihun ssi, uri myeot sie mannayo?Jihun, what time are we meeting?
- 지훈 Ji-hun열 시요. 오전과 오후 중 언제 괜찮으세요?yeol siyyo. ojeongwa ohu jung eonje gwaenchaneuseyo?At ten. Which works for you, am or pm?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 오전이 더 좋아요.jeoneun ojeoni deo joayo.I prefer the morning (am).
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 그럼 오전 열 시에 봐요.joayo. geureom ojeon yeol sie bwayo.Great. See you at 10 am then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 오후, CC BY-SA 4.0.
