아직
ajik[a̠d͡ʑik̚]
The English phrase "not yet" is translated into Korean as 아직 (ajik).
아직 is an adverb meaning "not for the moment, though expected later." While it is commonly used to say "not yet," it can also mean "still" in affirmative sentences to indicate a state that is continuing.
Meaning: not for the moment, though expected later (adv)
Which one should you use?
To add emphasis to the meaning of "not yet," you can use the form 아직도. If you want to stress that something specifically hasn't happened up to this point, you can use the expression 아직까지.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, 아직 is frequently used in conjunction with negative verb endings to express that an action has not happened yet.
How do you pronounce it?
ajik
Did you know?
- In Middle Korean texts from 1459, 아직 appeared in several variations including 안ᄌᆞᆨ〮 and 안직〮. While these nasal versions disappeared from the standard Seoul dialect, they can still be found in some regional dialects today.
- In modern Korean, adding the particle 도 to create 아직도 can change a simple statement of fact into an expression of disbelief or impatience.
- The expression 아직까지 is used to 'draw a line in the sand' by emphasizing that a state has persisted specifically up until this exact moment.
Examples in context
- 내 딸은 아직 3 살이 안 됐어.My daughter is not yet three years old.This sentence shows how to use 아직 to indicate an age that has not been reached.Tatoeba #8366744 by Eunhee, translation #8366701 by CK
- 해 떴어? 아직.Has the sun come up? Not yet.This example demonstrates using 아직 as a short response to a question.
- 아이가 있습니까? 아니요, 아직 없습니다.Do you have children? No, not yet.This example shows how to use 아직 in a negative response to a question about whether something exists.
- 그 일은 아직 안 끝났어요That work isn't finished yet.
- 아직까지 그 소식을 받지 못했어요I still haven't received that news yet.
- 아직 안 먹었어?Haven't you eaten yet?
- 아직 못 끝났어It's not finished yet.
- 그 영화는 아직 개봉하지 않았어요That movie hasn't been released yet.
- 아직은 좀 이르다고 생각해요I think it's still a bit early.
- 아직까지 답장을 못 받았어요I still haven't received a reply yet.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun asks Hyeon-u if he has finished his work.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 일 다 끝냈어요?Hyeon-u ssi, il da kkeun-naesseoyo?Hyeon-u, are you finished with your work?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 아직 하고 있어요.Aniyo, ajik hago isseoyo.No, I'm still doing it (not yet finished).
- 지은 Ji-eun많이 남았어요?mani namasseoyo?Is there a lot left?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo조금만 더 하면 돼요.jogeumman deo hamyeon dwaeyo.I just need to do a little more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “not yet” translations and entries 아직, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아직, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
