곧
got[ko̞t̚]
In Korean, 'soon' can be expressed as 곧 (got) or 금방.
Meaning: within a short time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 곧 | got | [ko̞t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 금방 | geumbang | [kɯmba̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both words are used to describe something happening within a short time. While 곧 is a direct translation for 'soon', 금방 is frequently used in spoken Korean to mean 'in a moment' or 'very shortly'. Additionally, 금방 can be used to mean 'just now' when referring to an action that was completed a very short time ago.
Which one should you use?
The primary difference lies in the tone and nuance of the two words. 금방 is more colloquial and is the preferred choice for spoken, everyday conversation to express that something will happen in a moment. 곧 is slightly more formal or literary, making it common in written texts or more structured speech.
How do you pronounce it?
got
Did you know?
- The word 금방 is a Sino-Korean construction where 방 originally meant 'direction' or 'side', implying that the event is happening 'at this very point' in time.
- When a Korean speaker says 금방 갈게 ('I'll be there soon'), it is often used as a social lubricant to mean 'I'm coming' regardless of the actual time.
- If a Korean speaker says 곧 올게 (I will come soon) versus 금방 올게 (I will be right there), the latter implies a much more immediate, almost instant, arrival.
Examples in context
- 그는 곧 올 것이다.He will come soon.This sentence shows how to use 곧 to describe a future arrival.Tatoeba #11105679 by intertime, translation #394248 by CK
- 그는 곧 돌아올 것이다.He will soon come back.This sentence illustrates the use of 곧 regarding a return.Tatoeba #11106488 by intertime, translation #293058 by CK
- 넌 곧 소음에 익숙해질거야.You'll soon get used to the noise.This sentence demonstrates using 곧 to describe a process of getting used to something.Tatoeba #8360717 by Eunhee, translation #2712855 by CK
- 저희 팀은 곧 회의를 시작할 겁니다.Our team will start the meeting soon.
- 다음에 뵙겠습니다.I will see you soon.
- 언니한테 곧 전화할 거야.I will call my sister soon.
- 음식점에 이따가 갈래?Do you want to go to the restaurant soon?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are waiting at a bus stop.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo버스가 곧 도착할 거예요.beoseu-ga got dochak-hal geo-ye-yo.The bus will arrive soon.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이네요. 현우 씨.dahaeng-ine-yo. Hyunwoo-ssi.That's a relief, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 조금만 기다려요.Minji-ssi, jogeum-man gidaryeoyo.Minji, just wait a little longer.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 곧 오겠네요.ne, got o-get-ne-yo.Yes, it should be here soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soon” translations and entries 곧, 금방, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 곧, 금방, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
