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언제. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
언제, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
언제 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
언제 you have here. The definition of the word
언제 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
언제, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Korean
Etymology
First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean 언제 (Yale: encey). From 어느 (enu, “what”) + 적 (cek, “time”) + 의 (-uy, “at”), literally "at what time".
In Middle Korean the word was strictly a question word; the indefinite meaning developed in the eighteenth century.
Pronunciation
- (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key):
- Phonetic hangul:
- Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.
| Romanizations |
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| Revised Romanization? | eonje |
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| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | eonje |
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| McCune–Reischauer? | ŏnje |
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| Yale Romanization? | ēn.cey |
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Pronoun
언제 • (eonje)
- when
언제가 네 생일이니?- Eonje-ga ne saeng'iri-ni?
- When is your birthday?
Derived terms
- 언제쯤 (eonjejjeum, “about when”)
Adverb
언제 • (eonje)
- when
- sometime, any time
언제 한번 만나 소주 한 잔 합시다.- Eonje hanbeon manna soju han jan hapsida.
- Let's get together and have a glass of soju some time.
할머니 댁은 언제 가도 마음이 편하다.- Halmeoni daeg-eun eonje gado ma'eum-i pyeonhada.
- Any time (whenever) I go to my grandmother's I feel comfortable.