Korean Grammar Point
(으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae] (When)

(으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae] (When)

Short explanation:

Used to express 'when' and connect time clauses.

Formation:

Verb stem + ㄹ 때 (If the verb stem ends with a vowel) / 을 때 (If the verb stem ends with a consonant)

Examples:

여름에는 우리집에서 바다를 볼 때, 창문을 열면 시원한 바닷바람이 들어와요.
Yeoreumeneun urijibe seo bada reul bol ttae, changmuneul yeolmyeon siwonhan badabarami deureowayo.
In the summer, when we look at the ocean from our house, if we open the window, a cool sea breeze comes in.
학교를 갈 때, 버스를 타면 편해요.
Hakgyo reul gal ttae, beoseu reul tamyeon pyeonhaeyo.
When going to school, it's convenient to take the bus.
숙제를 할 때, 음악을 들으면 더 집중할 수 있어요.
Sukje reul hal ttae, eumakeul deureumyeon deo jipjunghal su issseoyo.
When doing homework, listening to music can help to concentrate better.
친구를 만날 때, 함께 식사를 하면 더 즐거워요.
Chingu reul mannal ttae, hamkke siksa reul hamyeon deo jeulgeowoyo.
When meeting friends, eating together is more enjoyable.

Long explanation:

'(으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae]' is a verb ending used in Korean to connect clauses related to time, similar to 'when' in English. It is used to express an action or state that takes place concurrently with or following the action or state of the main clause. The presence or absence of '으' is determined by the verb stem's final syllable.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: (으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae] (When)

Korean Grammar Point: (으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae] (When)

(으)ㄹ 때 [(eu)l ttae] - "When"

1. Introduction

The Korean grammar point (으)ㄹ 때 is used to express "when" in temporal contexts. It's a fundamental structure that helps indicate the time when an action occurs or a state exists. Mastering (으)ㄹ 때 will enhance your ability to describe actions and events in relation to time.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

(으)ㄹ 때 translates to "when" in English. It is used to describe the time when something happens or happened.

Structure

The attachment of (으)ㄹ 때 depends on whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or a vowel.

Formation Rules

  1. Verb stem ending with a consonant:
    • Attach -을 때
    • 먹다 (to eat) ➔ 먹을 때 (when eating)
  2. Verb stem ending with a vowel:
    • Attach -ㄹ 때
    • 가다 (to go) ➔ 갈 때 (when going)
  3. Verb stem ending with 'ㄹ':
    • Attach - 때 (since the 'ㄹ' is already present)
    • 팔다 (to sell) ➔ 팔 때 (when selling)

Formation Diagram

Let's visualize the formation: | Verb Stem Ending | Attach | Example Verb | Combined Form | Meaning | |------------------|-----------|--------------|---------------|--------------| | Consonant | -을 때 | 먹다 (to eat)| 먹을 때 | when eating | | Vowel | -ㄹ 때 | 가다 (to go) | 갈 때 | when going | | Ends with 'ㄹ' | - 때 | 살다 (to live)| 살 때 | when living |

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing (으)ㄹ 때 with 았/었을 때

  • (으)ㄹ 때: Refers to the present or future time when an action occurs.
    • 집에 갈 때 전화를 해요.
      I call when I go home.
  • 았/었을 때: Refers to a past time when an action occurred.
    • 집에 갔을 때 전화를 했어요.
      I called when I went home. Nuance Difference:
  • Use (으)ㄹ 때 for present or habitual actions.
  • Use 았/었을 때 for completed past actions.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Context

  1. 비가 올 때 운전을 조심하세요.
    Please be careful when driving in the rain.
  2. 회의할 때 휴대폰을 끄십시오.
    Please turn off your phone when in a meeting.

Informal Context

  1. 시간 날 때 같이 영화 보자.
    Let's watch a movie together when you have time.
  2. 너 집에 올 때 우유 좀 사 올래?
    Can you buy some milk when you come home?

Written Context

  1. 어렸을 때 꿈은 의사가 되는 것이었다.
    When I was young, my dream was to become a doctor.
  2. 책을 읽을 때 집중이 잘 된다.
    I can concentrate well when I read a book.

Spoken Context

  1. 피곤할 때 어떻게 해?
    What do you do when you're tired?
  2. 한국어를 공부할 때 재미있어.
    It's fun when studying Korean.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean culture, discussing events in relation to time is common, and using (으)ㄹ 때 appropriately reflects one’s grasp of the language's temporal nuances.

Levels of Politeness

Selecting the correct speech level is vital. Combining (으)ㄹ 때 with polite endings conveys respect.

  • 할머니를 뵐 때 항상 인사드려요.
    I always greet my grandmother when I see her.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 심심할 때 뭐 해요?
    What do you do when you're bored?
  • 시간이 없을 때일수록 침착하세요.
    Especially when you have no time, stay calm.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

  1. Incorrect attachment after consonant-ending verb stems
    • Incorrect: 먹다 ➔ 먹ㄹ 때
    • Correct: 먹다 ➔ 먹을 때
  2. Using (으)면 instead of (으)ㄹ 때
    • (으)면 means "if", which changes the meaning.
    • Incorrect: 아플 약을 드세요. (If you're sick, take medicine.)
    • Correct: 아플 약을 드세요. (When you're sick, take medicine.)

Learning Strategies

  • Associate with Time: Remember that itself means "time". So (으)ㄹ 때 relates to "when (at the time of)".
  • Consonant/Vowel Rule: If the verb stem ends with a consonant, it's heavier (을 때). If it ends with a vowel, it's lighter (ㄹ 때).

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • (으)ㄹ 때 is used to express "when" an action or state occurs.
  • Attach -을 때 after consonant-ending verb stems and -ㄹ 때 after vowel-ending verb stems.
  • Be mindful of the differences between (으)ㄹ 때 and similar grammar points like (으)면 and (으)면서.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: 공부___ 집중이 잘 돼요. (When studying, I can concentrate well.) Answer: 공부할 때 집중이 잘 돼요.
  2. Correct the mistake: 놀다 ➔ 놀을 때 Answer: 놀다 ends with 'ㄹ', so it becomes 놀 때.
  3. Translate to Korean: "When it's cold, I drink hot tea." Answer: 추울 때 뜨거운 차를 마셔요.

By understanding and practicing (으)ㄹ 때, you'll be able to express time-related actions more fluently in Korean. Remember to pay attention to verb endings and context to use this grammar point correctly.

hanabira.org

Ace your Japanese JLPT N5-N1 preparation.

Disclaimer

Public Alpha version Open Source (GitHub). This site is currently undergoing active development. You may (will) encounter bugs, inconsistencies, or limited functionality. Lots of sentences might not sound natural. We are progressively addressing these issues with native speakers.


花びら散る

夢のような跡

朝露に

Copyright 2025 @hanabira.org