광음사전
gwang'eumsajeon[kwa̠ŋɯmsʰa̠d͡ʑʌ̹n]
The English phrase 'time flies' can be expressed in Korean as 광음사전 (gwang'eumsajeon). Wiktionary also lists 시광유사전 (sigwang'yusajeon).
Meaning: time seems to pass quickly (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 광음사전 | gwang'eumsajeon | [kwa̠ŋɯmsʰa̠d͡ʑʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 시광유사전 | sigwang'yusajeon |
The phrase 시간이 빠르게 흘러가다 is a formal way to say 'time passes quickly'. If you want to emphasize that time is passing in a way that is scarily fast or frighteningly quick, use 세월이 무섭게 훌쩍 지나가다. For an informal setting, you can say 시간이 참 빨리 가다 to mean 'time really passes quickly'.
How do you pronounce it?
gwang'eumsajeon
Did you know?
- The phrase 광음사전 uses the characters 光 'light' and 陰 'shadow' to represent 'time'. It creates a beautiful image where the cycle of light and shadow marks the passing hours.
- In the classical expression 광음사전, the word 'arrow' is the hidden engine of the metaphor. It suggests that time does not just flow, but shoots forward with unstoppable, piercing speed.
- The verb 훌쩍 in 세월이 무섭게 훌쩍 지나가다 is an onomatopoeic word describing a sudden jump or a quick movement.
Examples in context
- 오랜만에 다시 만났네. 시간이 참 빨리 간 것 같아.It's been a while since we last met. It feels like time flew by.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about how quickly the year has passed.
- 민준 Min-jun벌써 12월이라니 믿기지 않아요.beol-sseo sip-i-wol-i-ra-ni mit-gi-ji an-a-yo.I can't believe it's already December.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 정말 광음사전이에요.ma-ja-yo, jeong-mal gwang-eum-sa-jeon-i-e-yo.You're right, time really flies.
- 민준 Min-jun시간이 너무 빨리 가네요.si-gan-i neo-mu ppal-li ga-ne-yo.Time goes by so quickly.
- 지은 Ji-eun우리 내년에는 더 즐겁게 보내요.u-ri nae-nyeon-e-neun deo jeul-geop-ge bo-nae-yo.Let's have more fun next year.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time flies” translations and entries 광음사전, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 광음사전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
