Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 자주 | jaju | [t͡ɕa̠d͡ʑu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 수시로 | susiro | [sʰuɕʰiɾo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 흔히 | heunhi | [xɯnʝi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The primary way to express frequency is through 자주, which is the most versatile and common way to say 'often' in both spoken and written Korean. Other forms like 수시로 and 흔히 carry more specific nuances depending on whether you mean something happens at irregular intervals or is a common occurrence.
Which one should you use?
The different forms are distinguished by their nuance: 자주 focuses on the repetition of an action by a subject. In contrast, 수시로 implies that something happens 'at any time' or 'at frequent, irregular intervals' throughout a period. 흔히 is used to mean 'commonly' or 'ordinarily', such as when saying it is common to see a certain thing, rather than focusing on the repetition of a specific subject's action.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, 자주 typically precedes the verb it modifies, although its position in a sentence can be flexible depending on what you want to emphasize.
How do you pronounce it?
jaju
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 자꾸 if you want to express simple frequency without the implication of something being persistent or repetitive. Use 자주 instead.
Did you know?
- The word 자주 can be a homograph for several completely different concepts, including 'self-reliance' and the color 'purple and scarlet'.
- Another meaning of 자주 is 'independence' or 'self-reliance', derived from the Chinese characters for 'self' and 'master'.
- The adverbial suffix -히 in 흔히 is a standard way to transform certain roots into adverbs, similar to how 'ly' works in English.
Examples in context
- 톰은 자주 나무를 타.Tom often climbs trees.This sentence shows how to use 자주 to describe a habitual action.Tatoeba #13250461 by qiwiwi, translation #9954474 by CK
- 저는 자주 책을 읽습니다.I often read books.This sentence demonstrates the use of 자주 in a polite sentence structure.Tatoeba #7965193 by EstasKorea, translation #788981 by CM
- 여자들은 자주 외모로 평가된다.Women are often judged by their looks.This sentence illustrates how 자주 is used to describe a frequent occurrence in a passive context.Tatoeba #3674980 by ssuss32, translation #2980362 by Hybrid
- 저는 한국어를 자주 공부합니다.I often study Korean.
- 그들은 종종 함께 점심을 먹습니다.They often have lunch together.
- 저는 종종 서점에 가요.I often go to the bookstore.
- 너는 팝송을 자주 들어?Do you often listen to pop songs?
- 우리 친구들은 자주 모여서 놀아.Our friends often gather and hang out.
- 왜 자꾸 늦게 오세요?Why do you often come late?
- 나는 자꾸 같은 실수를 해요.I often make the same mistake.
- 그는 자주 여행을 갑니다.He often travels.
- 저는 자주 피곤해요.I am often tired.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are talking about a local cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 카페 자주 와요?i ka-pe ja-ju wa-yo?Do you come to this cafe often?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 자주 와요.ne, ja-ju wa-yo.Yes, I come here often.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨는 커피를 좋아해요?ji-eun ssi-neun keo-pi-reul jo-a-hae-yo?Do you like coffee, Jieun?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 정말 좋아해요.ne, jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo.Yes, I really like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “often” translations and entries 자주, 수시로, 흔히, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 자주, 흔히, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
