그때그때 달라요
geuttaegeuttae dallayo
The English phrase "it depends" can be said in Korean as 그때그때 달라요 (geuttaegeuttae dallayo).
그때그때 달라요 is used to express that there is no fixed rule or consistent outcome, and that the situation varies depending on the specific circumstances.
Meaning: it depends (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 그때그때, meaning "each time" or "at that time" and 달라요, meaning "is different".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 그때그때 달라요 can be shortened to 그때그때 달라 for informal speech. In more formal contexts, it can be changed to 그때그때 다릅니다.
How do you pronounce it?
geuttaegeuttae dallayo
Did you know?
- The word 그때 combines the determiner 그 'that' and 때 'time'. In Korean, the same word 때 is also used to refer to the 'dead skin' scrubbed off during a traditional bath.
- In many Korean social situations, saying 그때그때 달라요 can act as a polite way to avoid giving a definitive 'yes' or 'no' to an uncomfortable request.
- The word 그때 means 'that time', but repeating it as 그때그때 transforms the meaning into 'every single time' or 'case by case'. Reduplication is a common way in Korean to express repetition or variety.
Examples in context
- 여행 계획은 예산에 따라 다릅니다.The travel plans depend on the budget.
- 그건 날씨에 따라 다르겠지.It will depend on the weather.
- 그때그때 달라요.geuttae-geuttae dalla-yo.It depends from time to time.
- 상황에 따라 그때그때 달라요.sanghwang-e ttara geuttae-geuttae dalla-yo.It depends on the situation.
- 그때그때 달라요, 그러니까 물어보세요.geuttae-geuttae dalla-yo, geureonikka mureoboseyo.It depends, so please ask me.
Example conversation
Jihoon asks Seoyeon about her work schedule.
- 지훈 Ji-hun매주 주말에 출근해요?maeju jumare chulgeun-haeyo?Do you work every weekend?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 그때그때 달라요.aniyo, geuttae-geuttae dalla-yo.No, it depends.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 바쁘시군요.jeongmal bappeusigun-yo.You are really busy.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 일이 많을 때가 있어요.majayo, iri maneul ttaega isseoyo.That's right, there are times when there is a lot of work.
