-을 때Korean expression · TOPIK 2

-eul ttae

TOPIK 2 2급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to indicate the duration, period, or occasion of a certain act or situation.

형태Forms

-을 때-ㄹ 때

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate the duration, period, or occasion of a certain act or situation.

어떤 행동이나 상황이 일어나는 동안이나 그 시기 또는 그러한 일이 일어난 경우를 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

나는 어렸을 때 심한 장난꾸러기였다.

When I was young, I was a terrible troublemaker.

먹을 때 쩝쩝 소리를 내는 것은 예의가 아니다.

Making smacking noises while eating is bad manners.

승규는 전에 내가 곤경에 처했을 때 열심으로 나를 도와주었다.

Seunggyu helped me wholeheartedly when I was in trouble before.

대화In conversation

언제 나갔어? 인사도 없이 가면 어떡해.

When did you leave? You shouldn't go without saying goodbye.

네가 한참 자고 있을 때 나왔어. 자고 있어서 안 깨웠어.

I left while you were sound asleep. You were sleeping, so I didn't wake you.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 되다 -ge doeda An expression used to indicate that something will become the state or situation mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -기 때문에 -gi ttaemun -기 때문이다 An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident. TOPIK 2 -기로 하다 -giro hada An expression used to decide or promise the performance of the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -는 것 -neun geot -은 것 · -ㄴ 것 · -을 것 An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in a sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be). TOPIK 2 -는 것 같다 -neun geot gatda -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess. TOPIK 2 -는 동안에 -neun dong-an -는 동안 An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -을 때 mean in Korean?

-을 때 is a expression introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An expression used to indicate the duration, period, or occasion of a certain act or situation.

When do you use -을 때?

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-. The other shape is -ㄹ 때 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -을 때 and -ㄹ 때?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -을 때?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.