이전에
ijeone
The Korean word for earlier is 이전에 (ijeone).
이전에 is used to mean previously, before now or sooner. It refers to a general or distant point in the past.
Meaning: previously, before now, sooner (adv)
Which one should you use?
While 이전에 refers to a general or distant past, you should use 아까 if you specifically mean a little while ago to refer to the recent past. Additionally, 전에는 can be used as a synonym for 이전에 when you want to emphasize a state or habit that existed in the past but has since changed.
How do you pronounce it?
ijeone
Did you know?
- In Korean, the concept of 'earlier' or 'before' is often linked to the word for 'front'. The character 전 shares a conceptual root with physical space, suggesting that the past is something that stands in front of the present.
- While 이전에 refers to the past, the word 전 also means 'battle' or 'war' in Korean. Depending on the context and the Chinese characters used, the same sound can shift the meaning from 'before' to 'conflict'.
- Koreans use a different logic for 'earlier' when discussing schedules. To say something happened 'earlier than expected', they often use 빨리, which literally means 'fast'.
Examples in context
- 이전에 가게 오픈을 준비해 놨어.I prepared for the store opening earlier.
- 일찍 끝내고 여유로운 시간을 보내자.Let's finish early and enjoy some free time.
- 이전에 그 영화를 봤어요.ijeone geu yeonghwaleul bwasseoyo.I saw that movie previously.
- 이전에 만났던 사람이에요.ijeone mannattdeon saramieyo.It is someone I met before now.
- 이전에 했던 질문이에요.ijeone haetdeon jilmunieyo.It is a question I asked earlier.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are discussing a project at work.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 이전에 보낸 이메일 확인했나요?Hyeon-u ssi, ijeone bonaen imeil hwaginhaennayo?Hyunwoo, did you check the email I sent earlier?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 아직 못 봤어요.Aniyo, ajik mot bwasseoyo.No, I haven't seen it yet.
- 서연 Seo-yeon중요한 내용이니까 지금 확인해 주세요.Jungyohan naeyong-inikka jigeum hwaginhae juseyo.It's important, so please check it now.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 바로 확인하겠습니다.Ne, baro hwaginhagesseumnida.Yes, I will check it right away.
