지난번
jinanbeon
In Korean, 'last time' is 지난번 (jinanbeon).
지난번 is used to refer to the most recent occasion that something happened.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 지난, meaning 'past' or 'last' and 번, meaning 'time' or 'occurrence'.
Which one should you use?
While 지난 can be used as an adjective meaning 'past' and 번 can be used as a counter for 'time', they must be combined as 지난번 to function as the noun phrase for 'last time'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change its function in a sentence. Adding the possessive particle -의 to create 지난번의 allows the phrase to act as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'last time's meeting'. Adding the particle -에는 to create 지난번에는 emphasizes 'last time' as a specific point in time, which is often used to contrast it with 'this time'.
How do you pronounce it?
jinanbeon
Did you know?
- Koreans use 지난번 to refer to the most recent occurrence, but they use a completely different word, 마지막, to describe the final time something will ever happen.
- The character for the second syllable, 番, has a historical connection to military organization. Beyond just counting 'times', it can refer to a specific military unit or a group in a sequence.
- The word 지난 is actually a verb in disguise. It is the past participle form of the verb 지나다, which means 'to pass by' or 'to go past' in a physical or temporal sense.
Examples in context
- 시내에서 저번에 만난 친구를 다시 만났어요.I met the friend I saw last time in the city again.
- 지난번에 면접을 보는데 너무 긴장되었어요.I was so nervous during the interview last time.
- 이전에 봤던 드라마 정말 재미있더라!The drama I watched last time was really fascinating!
- 지난번에는 비가 왔어요.jinanbeon-eneun biga wasseoyo.It rained last time.
- 지난번 음식은 정말 맛있었어요.jinanbeon eumsigeun jeongmal masisseosseoyo.The food last time was really delicious.
- 지난번 연락을 못 받았어요.jinanbeon yeonlageul mot badasseoyo.I didn't receive your contact last time.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Su-bin are meeting at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 지난번에 본 영화 좋았어요?Subin ssi, jinanbeone bon yeonghwa joasseoyo?Subin, did you like the movie you saw last time?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 정말 감동적이었어요.ne, jeongmal gamdongjeogieosseoyo.Yes, it was very touching.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도 보고 싶네요.jeodo bogo simneyo.I want to see it too.
- 수빈 Su-bin다음에 같이 봐요.da-eume gachi bwayo.Let's watch it together next time.
