-는 사이에Korean expression · TOPIK 4

-neun sai

TOPIK 4 4급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to indicate a certain, short time in the middle of an act or situation.

형태Forms

-는 사이에-는 사이

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 a certain, short time in the middle of an act or situation.

어떤 행동이나 상황이 일어나는 중간의 어느 짧은 시간을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, verbs or the honorific -으시-.

‘있다’, ‘없다’, ‘계시다’, 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

잠깐 방심하는 사이에 사고가 생길 수 있다.

An accident can happen in the brief moment you let your guard down.

기회는 눈 깜짝하는 사이에 지나간다.

Opportunity passes in the blink of an eye.

갈팡질팡하는 사이에 많은 시간이 흘러갔다.

A lot of time slipped by while we were hesitating.

대화In conversation

쟤는 언제 온 거야?

When did he get here?

네가 잠깐 조는 사이에 왔어.

He came while you were dozing off for a second.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-고 들다 -go deulda An expression used to press someone to do the preceding act. TOPIK 4 -고 보다 -go boda An expression indicating that the action implied by the preceding word is done first and the subsequent events are thought about later. TOPIK 4 -고 해서 -go haeseo An expression used to state that the content of the preceding statement is one of several reasons for doing the act mentioned in the following… TOPIK 4 -나 싶다 -na sipda An expression used to indicate that the speaker is making a subjective and uncertain guess about the preceding statement. TOPIK 4 -는 김에 -neun gime -ㄴ 김에 · -은 김에 An expression used to indicate that one is doing a certain act, after the act mentioned in the preceding statement or while doing a similar behavior… TOPIK 4 -는 대로 -neun daero -ㄴ 대로 · -은 대로 An expression used to indicate that something is the same as the present act or state mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 4

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는 사이에 mean in Korean?

-는 사이에 is a expression introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). An expression used to indicate a certain, short time in the middle of an act or situation.

When do you use -는 사이에?

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, verbs or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -는 사이 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는 사이에 and -는 사이?

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 -는 사이에?

4급 — TOPIK 4, upper intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

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