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Before and after in Korean

This chapter will cover how to say before and after in Korean.

Saying before

Section titled “Saying before”

To say something happens before something use the word 전:

Noun + 전에

For example:

시험 전에 공부를 했어요.

I studied before the test.

The noun used here can also be an action verb changed into a noun using the 기 form. For example:

시험을 보기 전에 공부를 했어요.

I studied before taking the test.

Example sentences using 전:

그 전에 만날 수 있을까요?

Could we (be able to) meet before then?

세 시 전에 오세요.

Come before 3 o'clock.

점심을 먹기 전에 손을 씻고 싶어요.

I want to wash my hands before eating lunch.

Ways to say after

Section titled “Ways to say after”

There are multiple ways to say after in Korean, so let’s cover the following ways in this chapter: 후, -고, 뒤 and 다음.

Saying after using 후

Section titled “Saying after using 후”

To say something happens after something you can use the word 후. Apply 후 after a noun, followed by the particle 에:

Noun + 후에

수업 후에 공부를 할 거예요.

I will study after class.

For action verbs this rule works slightly differently:

Action Verb Stem + (은/ㄴ) 후에

  1. Get the stem of an action verb.
  2. Depending on the ending:
    • If it ends in a consonant: Attach 은 후.
    • If it ends in a vowel: Attach ㄴ 후.
    • However, if it ends in a ㄹ: Remove the ㄹ, then attach ㄴ 후에.
  3. Attach the particle 에.

Example sentences using 후:

수업을 들은 후에 공부를 할 거예요.

I will study after I have class. / I will study after attending class.

오늘 다섯 시 후에 시간이 있을 거예요.

Today I will have time after 5 o'clock.

영화를 본 후에 친구랑 놀러 갔어요.

I went to hang out with a friend after seeing the movie.

도착한 후에 전화 주세요.

Give me a call after you arrive.

Saying after using 고

Section titled “Saying after using 고”

The 고 form can be used to mean and as well as and then, connecting a sequence of actions. Learn more about the 고 form in this previous chapter.

Example sentences using 고:

저는 밥을 먹고 운동을 할 거예요.

I will eat a meal and then exercise.

저는 공부를 하고 시험을 봤어요.

I studied and then took the test.

Saying after using 뒤 or 다음

Section titled “Saying after using 뒤 or 다음”

Both 뒤 and 다음 can be used the same way as 후, especially with action verbs.

뒤 meaning behind becomes 뒤에.

아침을 먹은 뒤에 친구를 만나러 갔어요.

After eating breakfast I went to meet a friend.

다음 meaning (the) next becomes 다음에.

아침을 먹은 다음에 친구를 만나러 갔어요.

After eating breakfast I went to meet a friend.

Sources & References