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A2 phrase 10 دقيقة للقراءة

어릴 때

eoril ttae

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 어릴 때 في 30 ثانية

الشرح 어릴 때 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should recognize '어릴 때' as a set phrase meaning 'when I was young'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex grammar behind it. Just remember it as a way to start a sentence about your past. For example, if you want to say you liked ice cream as a child, you can say '어릴 때 아이스크림을 좋아했어요'. It is a very useful phrase because it allows you to talk about your history using basic past tense verbs. You will often see this in introductory Korean textbooks when learning how to describe your childhood hobbies or family. Focus on the pronunciation [eoril ttae] and the fact that it refers to being a child, not just being 'younger than now'. It's a key building block for storytelling in Korean.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you should understand the structure of '어릴 때'. It comes from '어리다' (to be young) plus the '-(으)ㄹ 때' grammar pattern, which means 'when...'. You should be able to use it with different particles like '어릴 때부터' (since I was young) or '어릴 때까지' (until I was young). At this level, you can start combining it with more varied verbs and adjectives to describe your childhood in more detail. For example, '어릴 때 저는 키가 작았어요' (When I was young, I was short). You should also begin to distinguish '어릴 때' from '학생 때' (when I was a student), realizing that '어릴 때' is specifically for the younger years. Practice using it to answer questions about your past habits and dreams.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '어릴 때' in longer, more complex sentences. You should understand the subtle difference between '어릴 때' and '어렸을 때', and know that while '어릴 때' focuses on the state, '어렸을 때' emphasizes the past nature of that state. You can use '어릴 때' to describe background information in a narrative. For example, '어릴 때 살던 동네에 가봤는데 정말 많이 변했더라고요' (I went to the neighborhood where I lived when I was young, and it had changed so much). You should also be able to use related terms like '어린 시절' in slightly more formal writing or when expressing nostalgia. At this stage, you can use the phrase to talk about cultural differences in childhood across different countries.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of '어릴 때' versus its more formal counterparts like '유년기' or '청소년기'. You can use '어릴 때' in discussions about psychology, education, or personal development to refer to formative years. You should be able to identify its use in literature and media, understanding the emotional weight it carries. For instance, you can analyze how '어릴 때' is used in a K-drama to establish a character's trauma or motivation. You should also be proficient in using the phrase with complex grammatical structures, such as '어릴 때부터 꿈꿔왔던 일' (the thing I've dreamed of since I was young). Your ability to use this phrase naturally in varied social contexts—from casual to semi-formal—should be well-developed.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the poetic and cultural connotations of '어릴 때' and its variations like '어릴 적'. You can use these phrases to add texture and emotion to your speech and writing. You should be able to discuss the etymological shift of '어리다' from meaning 'foolish' in Middle Korean to 'young' in Modern Korean, and how that reflects historical changes in perception. You can use '어릴 때' in academic contexts to describe longitudinal studies or developmental stages, while also being able to use it in highly informal, slang-heavy environments. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the correct use of subtle particles and sentence endings that convey nostalgia or regret.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '어릴 때' and its role in the Korean collective consciousness. You can use the phrase to engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of memory, the loss of innocence, and the impact of childhood on the adult psyche. You are capable of using '어릴 때' in sophisticated literary compositions, perhaps playing with the phrase to create new meanings or to subvert expectations. You understand the most obscure synonyms and archaic forms, and you can explain the nuances of '어릴 때' to other learners with expert precision. Whether you are analyzing a classical poem or a modern sociological text, you handle this phrase and its related concepts with absolute fluency and cultural sensitivity.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

어릴 때 في 30 ثانية

Refers specifically to childhood (approx. ages 0-12).
Used to introduce nostalgic stories or past habits.
Grammatically combines '어리다' (young) and '때' (time).
Requires the rest of the sentence to be in the past tense.

The phrase 어릴 때 (eoril ttae) is one of the most fundamental temporal expressions in the Korean language, specifically used to denote the period of one's childhood or early youth. It is composed of the adjective 어리다 (eorida), which means 'to be young' or 'to be a child', the future/prospective attributive ending -(으)ㄹ, and the noun 때 (ttae), meaning 'time' or 'moment'. Together, they literally translate to 'the time when [one] is young'. In practical English translation, it most often equates to 'when I was a child', 'in my childhood', or 'as a kid'. This phrase is deeply evocative in Korean culture, often serving as the gateway to nostalgic storytelling, personal reflection, and the sharing of formative experiences. It is not merely a chronological marker; it carries a weight of innocence and past identity. You will hear this phrase in almost every social setting, from casual conversations among friends reminiscing about old snacks and games to formal interviews where a person describes their early influences. Unlike the English word 'young', which can extend into one's twenties or thirties, 어릴 때 strictly refers to the period before adolescence, typically encompassing infancy through elementary school. If you are talking about your university days, you would use 젊을 때 (jeolmeul ttae) instead. Understanding this distinction is crucial for sounding natural. Koreans use 어릴 때 to establish a common ground of shared human experience, as everyone has an 'early time' that shaped who they are today.

Grammatical Composition: The root word is the adjective 어리다. In Korean, to modify a noun with an adjective to indicate a state at a certain time, we use the -(으)ㄹ form before 때. While -(으)ㄹ often indicates the future, in this specific construction with '때', it functions as a descriptive attributive for a general state or a past state when used in a retrospective context.

저는 어릴 때 축구를 아주 좋아했어요. (I liked soccer very much when I was young.)

Age Scope: Usually refers to ages 0 to 12. Once a person enters middle school, they are often referred to as '학생 때' (when a student) or '청소년기' (adolescence).

우리 형은 어릴 때 정말 개구쟁이였어요. (My older brother was a real troublemaker when he was young.)

Synonym Contrast: Compare with '어린 시절' (childhood days). '어릴 때' is more common in spoken language, while '어린 시절' is often used in writing, literature, or when being slightly more formal and sentimental.

어릴 때 살던 동네에 다시 가보고 싶어요. (I want to go back to the neighborhood where I lived when I was young.)

어릴 때 꿈은 대통령이었어요. (My childhood dream was to be the president.)

그 영화는 제가 어릴 때 본 기억이 나요. (I remember seeing that movie when I was young.)

Using 어릴 때 correctly involves understanding its role as a time adverbial phrase. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or right before the subject to set the temporal context. One of the most common variations is adding particles to '때' to specify the relationship with time. For example, 어릴 때부터 (eoril ttae-buteo) means 'since I was young'. This is used to describe habits, talents, or situations that started in childhood and have continued for a long time. Another variation is 어릴 때만 (eoril ttae-man), meaning 'only when I was young', which highlights a contrast between the past and the present. It is also important to note the difference between 어릴 때 and 어렸을 때. While both are used interchangeably in modern Korean, '어렸을 때' uses the past tense form of the adjective. Some grammarians argue that '어렸을 때' is more emphatic about the fact that the period is over, but in daily conversation, '어릴 때' is the standard go-to phrase. When constructing sentences, pay close attention to the predicate. Since you are talking about the past, verbs like '했다' (did), '이었다' (was), and '좋아했다' (liked) are essential. If you are describing a state that was true throughout your childhood, the past progressive or the simple past is used. Furthermore, 어릴 때 can be followed by a wide range of nouns to create specific memories: 어릴 때 친구 (childhood friend), 어릴 때 사진 (childhood photo), 어릴 때 집 (childhood home). This flexibility makes it a cornerstone of autobiographical speech in Korean.

Particle: -부터 (From/Since): 어릴 때부터 피아노를 쳤어요. (I've played the piano since I was young.) This indicates a continuous action starting in childhood.

저는 어릴 때부터 매운 음식을 잘 먹었어요. (I've been good at eating spicy food since I was young.)

Particle: -까지만 (Until/Only until): 어릴 때까지만 해도 그곳은 숲이었어요. (Up until I was young, that place was a forest.) Used to show change over time.

어릴 때 찍은 사진을 보면 기분이 묘해요. (Looking at photos taken when I was young makes me feel strange.)

Sentence Structure: [Time Phrase] + [Subject] + [Object] + [Past Tense Verb]. Example: 어릴 때 저는 강아지를 키웠어요.

누구나 어릴 때 좋아하던 만화가 하나씩은 있죠. (Everyone has at least one cartoon they liked when they were young, right?)

어릴 때 살던 집은 이제 없어졌어요. (The house I lived in when I was young is gone now.)

그는 어릴 때 사고로 다리를 다쳤어요. (He injured his leg in an accident when he was young.)

The phrase 어릴 때 is ubiquitous in Korean media and daily life. In K-Dramas, it is a key plot device. Many dramas feature a 'childhood connection' trope where the main characters met 어릴 때 and reunited as adults. You will hear characters say, "우리 어릴 때 만난 적 있지 않아?" (Didn't we meet when we were young?). In K-Pop, the theme of growing up and leaving childhood behind is extremely popular. Songs by artists like IU, BTS, and AKMU frequently use 어릴 때 or its poetic variations to express longing for a simpler time. For instance, IU's song 'Eight' or 'Twenty-three' often touches upon the transition from the '어릴 때' self to the adult self. On variety shows like 'Running Man' or 'I Live Alone', celebrities often bring out old photo albums, leading to a chorus of "어릴 때 진짜 귀여웠네!" (You were so cute when you were young!). In a professional context, such as a job interview or a documentary, a person might discuss their '어릴 때 환경' (childhood environment) to explain their current career path or values. It is also common in educational settings where teachers might ask students to write about their '어릴 때 꿈' (childhood dreams). In the household, parents often use it when scolding or reminiscing with their children: "너 어릴 때는 말 잘 들었는데..." (When you were young, you used to listen well...). This phrase is the emotional anchor for any discussion involving the past, making it an essential part of the Korean linguistic landscape.

K-Drama Trope: The 'Childhood First Love' (어릴 때 첫사랑) is a staple of Korean romance stories, emphasizing destiny and long-term connection.

드라마에서 주인공들은 보통 어릴 때 특별한 인연이 있어요. (In dramas, the main characters usually have a special connection from when they were young.)

Music Lyrics: Lyrics often use '어릴 때' to contrast the innocence of the past with the hardships of adulthood.

노래 가사에는 어릴 때 그리움에 대한 내용이 많아요. (There are many song lyrics about longing for the time when one was young.)

Family Gatherings: During Chuseok or Seollal, elders often tell stories starting with '너 어릴 때 말이야...' (You know, when you were young...).

할머니는 제가 어릴 때 이야기를 자주 해주세요. (My grandmother often tells me stories from when I was young.)

우리 어릴 때 같이 놀던 친구들 기억나? (Do you remember the friends we used to play with when we were young?)

이건 제가 어릴 때 가장 아끼던 인형이에요. (This is the doll I cherished most when I was young.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 어릴 때 to describe their late teens or early twenties. In English, 'when I was young' is a relative term that a 70-year-old might use to describe being 30. However, in Korean, 어리다 is strictly for childhood. If you are 30 and talking about being 20, you should use 젊을 때 (jeolmeul ttae). Using 어릴 때 in that context will make you sound like you are referring to yourself as a literal child. Another mistake is forgetting the past tense in the rest of the sentence. Because '어릴 때' sets a past context, the following actions must reflect that. For example, saying "어릴 때 피아노를 쳐요" (I play piano when I was young) is grammatically incorrect; it must be "쳤어요" (played). Additionally, learners often confuse 어릴 때 with 젊을 때. Remember: 어리다 = child (innocence, growth), 젊다 = young adult (energy, vigor). Another nuance is the confusion between '어릴 때' and '어렸을 때'. While both are acceptable, '어렸을 때' is technically the past attributive form. Some learners might overthink which one to use, but '어릴 때' is more common in speech. Finally, avoid using '어릴 때' to describe someone who is currently a child in a way that implies they are 'old' for their age; it is strictly a temporal marker for a past period or a general state of being a child. Also, be careful with the particle usage; '어릴 때에' is often shortened to just '어릴 때', and adding unnecessary particles can make the sentence feel clunky.

Mistake: Wrong Age Range: Using '어릴 때' for university years. (Correction: Use '대학생 때' or '젊었을 때')

❌ 어릴 때 대학교에서 공부했어요. (Wrong: 'Childhood' and 'University' don't match.)

Mistake: Tense Mismatch: Using present tense verbs with '어릴 때'.

❌ 어릴 때 매일 울어요. (Wrong: Should be '울었어요' - cried.)

Mistake: Confusing with '작을 때': Using '작을 때' (when small) to mean 'when young'. While children are small, '어릴 때' is the correct temporal phrase.

❌ 제가 작을 때 우유를 많이 마셨어요. (Sounds like you were physically short, not necessarily a child.)

✅ 제가 어릴 때 우유를 많이 마셨어요. (Correct.)

❌ 어릴 때는 지금이에요. (Nonsense: 'When young is now' - 어릴 때 is for the past.)

While 어릴 때 is the most common and versatile phrase, several alternatives exist depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. 어린 시절 (eorin sijeol) is perhaps the closest synonym. It translates to 'childhood days' and is often used in writing, song lyrics, or when one is being particularly sentimental. It sounds slightly more polished than '어릴 때'. For a more formal or academic context, you might use 유년기 (yunyeongi), which is the technical term for 'infancy/early childhood'. This is found in psychology books or formal reports. 어릴 적 (eoril jeok) is another beautiful variation; '적' is an old-fashioned word for 'time', so '어릴 적' carries a more poetic, nostalgic feel, often used in literature or when recounting old memories. If you want to specify a certain stage of being a child, you can use 꼬마였을 때 (kkomayeosseul ttae), which means 'when I was a little kid/toddler'. For the period of being a student, 학창 시절 (hakchang sijeol) refers to one's entire school years, from elementary through university. If you are specifically talking about being a baby, 아기 때 (agi ttae) is used. Understanding these variations allows you to tailor your speech to the situation, whether you are chatting with a friend or writing an essay about your life experiences.

어릴 때 vs. 어린 시절: '어릴 때' is conversational and direct. '어린 시절' is descriptive and literary. You'd say '어릴 때' to a friend, but '어린 시절' in a book title.

그의 소설은 작가의 어린 시절을 바탕으로 합니다. (His novel is based on the author's childhood.)

유년기 (Childhood/Infancy): Academic/Formal. '유년기의 경험이 성격 형성에 중요합니다.' (Experiences in childhood are important for personality formation.)

저는 어릴 적 할머니 댁에서 보낸 시간이 가장 기억에 남아요. (The time I spent at my grandmother's house when I was young is the most memorable.)

아기 때 (When a baby): Specifically refers to the period of being an infant or toddler. '저는 아기 때 정말 많이 울었대요.' (They say I cried a lot when I was a baby.)

학창 시절에는 공부보다 운동을 더 좋아했어요. (During my school days, I liked sports more than studying.)

그는 소년 시절을 시골에서 보냈습니다. (He spent his boyhood in the countryside.)

꼬마였을 때는 세상이 정말 커 보였어요. (When I was a little kid, the world looked so big.)

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The shift from 'foolish' to 'young' is a classic example of semantic change. King Sejong the Great used '어린 백성' to mean 'foolish/ignorant people' who couldn't read, but today it would mean 'young people'!

دليل النطق

UK /ʌ.ɾil t͈ɛ/

US /ʌ.ɾil t͈ɛ/

Stress is relatively even, but 'ttae' (때) is often pronounced with a slightly higher pitch or more force because it is a double consonant.

يتقافى مع

머리 때 (Meori ttae) 허리 때 (Heori ttae) 서릴 때 (Seoril ttae) 버릴 때 (Beoril ttae) 그릴 때 (Geuril ttae) 내릴 때 (Naeril ttae) 느릴 때 (Neuril ttae) 들릴 때 (Deullil ttae)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'eo' as 'oh'. It should be more open, like 'uh'.
Pronouncing the 'r' in 'eoril' like an English 'r'. It should be a light tap of the tongue.
Making the 'tt' in 'ttae' sound like a soft 'd'. It must be a strong, tense 't'.
Not linking 'eoril' and 'ttae' smoothly.
Pronouncing 'ae' as 'ay'. It should be more like 'e' in 'pet'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts. The grammar is straightforward for A2 learners.

الكتابة 3/5

Requires correct tense matching in the following clause.

التحدث 2/5

Very natural and frequent in speech. Easy to use once memorized.

الاستماع 2/5

Clear pronunciation and usually appears at the start of sentences.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

어리다 (to be young) 때 (time) 과거 (past) 아이 (child) -(으)ㄹ (attributive ending)

تعلّم لاحقاً

젊을 때 (when young/youthful) 학생 때 (when a student) 나중에 (later) 어린 시절 (childhood days) 추억 (memory)

متقدم

유년기 (infancy) 청소년기 (adolescence) 학창 시절 (school days) 회상하다 (to reminisce) 향수 (nostalgia)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

-(으)ㄹ 때 (When...)

밥 먹을 때 전화하지 마세요. (Don't call when eating.)

-(으)ㄴ 시절 (Days of...)

대학생 시절이 그리워요. (I miss my college days.)

-았/었을 때 (When I was/did...)

미국에 갔을 때 친구를 만났어요. (I met a friend when I went to the US.)

-던 (Retrospective modifier)

여기는 제가 자주 가던 카페예요. (This is the cafe I used to go to often.)

-부터 (From/Since)

아침부터 비가 내려요. (It's been raining since morning.)

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

어릴 때 저는 우유를 좋아했어요.

When young, I liked milk.

Simple past tense '좋아했어요' follows the time phrase.

어릴 때 친구를 만났어요.

I met a childhood friend.

어릴 때 modifies the noun 친구 here.

저는 어릴 때 귀여웠어요.

I was cute when I was young.

Adjective '귀여웠어요' in the past tense.

어릴 때 사진이 많아요.

I have many photos from when I was young.

어릴 때 functions as a time marker for the noun 사진.

어릴 때 어디에 살았어요?

Where did you live when you were young?

Question form with past tense '살았어요'.

어릴 때 꿈은 선생님이었어요.

My childhood dream was to be a teacher.

Noun + 이었다 (was) structure.

어릴 때 매운 것을 못 먹었어요.

I couldn't eat spicy food when I was young.

못 + Verb indicates inability.

어릴 때 동생이랑 자주 싸웠어요.

I often fought with my younger sibling when I was young.

자주 (often) adds frequency to the past action.

어릴 때부터 피아노를 배웠어요.

I have learned piano since I was young.

-부터 indicates the starting point in time.

어릴 때 살던 집이 기억나요.

I remember the house where I lived when I was young.

살던 is the retrospective modifier for 'house'.

어릴 때까지만 해도 여기는 숲이었어요.

Until I was young, this place was a forest.

-까지만 해도 emphasizes a change from a past state.

어릴 때 저는 정말 장난꾸러기였어요.

I was a real troublemaker when I was young.

장난꾸러기 (troublemaker) + 이었다.

어릴 때 읽은 책을 다시 읽고 싶어요.

I want to re-read the book I read when I was young.

읽은 is the past modifier for 'book'.

어릴 때 먹던 과자가 아직도 있어요.

The snacks I used to eat when young still exist.

먹던 indicates a habitual action in the past.

저는 어릴 때 혼자 노는 것을 좋아했어요.

I liked playing alone when I was young.

-는 것 turns the verb into a noun phrase.

어릴 때 부모님과 여행을 많이 다녔어요.

I traveled a lot with my parents when I was young.

다녔어요 indicates frequent movement/travel.

어릴 때의 기억은 평생 가는 것 같아요.

It seems like childhood memories last a lifetime.

어릴 때의 uses the possessive particle to modify 'memory'.

어릴 때와 지금은 성격이 많이 달라요.

My personality is very different between when I was young and now.

-와 compares the past time with the present.

어릴 때는 몰랐던 사실을 이제야 알게 됐어요.

I've only now come to know the facts I didn't know when I was young.

몰랐던 is a retrospective modifier for 'facts'.

어릴 때부터 꿈꿔온 일을 드디어 하게 됐어요.

I finally got to do the work I've dreamed of since I was young.

꿈꿔온 (dreamed of and continued) uses the -어 오다 structure.

어릴 때 살던 동네는 이제 몰라보게 변했어요.

The neighborhood I lived in as a child has changed beyond recognition.

몰라보게 (beyond recognition) is an adverbial form.

어릴 때 좋아하던 가수가 은퇴한다는 소식을 들었어요.

I heard the news that the singer I liked when I was young is retiring.

좋아하던 indicates a past habit or state.

어릴 때 가졌던 순수한 마음을 잃고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to lose the pure heart I had when I was young.

가졌던 is the past modifier for 'pure heart'.

어릴 때는 시간이 참 느리게 가는 것 같았어요.

When I was young, time seemed to go very slowly.

-는 것 같았다 (seemed like) expresses a past feeling.

어릴 때 겪은 고난이 그를 강하게 만들었습니다.

The hardships he faced when young made him strong.

겪은 is the past modifier for 'hardships'.

어릴 때 배운 습관은 고치기가 정말 힘들어요.

Habits learned when young are very hard to fix.

고치기 (fixing) + 힘들다 (is hard).

어릴 때의 환경이 정서 발달에 큰 영향을 미칩니다.

The childhood environment has a great impact on emotional development.

영향을 미치다 is a formal way to say 'to influence'.

그는 어릴 때부터 남다른 재능을 보였습니다.

He showed extraordinary talent since he was young.

남다른 (extraordinary/different from others) modifies 'talent'.

어릴 때 헤어진 친구를 SNS를 통해 다시 찾았어요.

I found the friend I parted with when young through social media.

헤어진 is the past modifier for 'friend'.

어릴 때만 느낄 수 있는 그 특유의 설렘이 있어요.

There is a unique excitement that can only be felt when young.

특유의 (unique/characteristic) modifies 'excitement'.

어릴 때 보았던 만화 영화의 주제곡을 아직도 기억해요.

I still remember the theme song of the cartoon movie I watched when young.

보았던 is the past perfective modifier.

어릴 때 우리 집은 항상 사람들로 북적였어요.

When I was young, our house was always crowded with people.

북적였다 (was crowded/bustling) is a descriptive verb.

어릴 때의 트라우마가 성인이 되어서도 발목을 잡곤 합니다.

Childhood trauma often holds one back even after becoming an adult.

발목을 잡다 is an idiom meaning to hold someone back.

어릴 때부터 정립된 가치관은 쉽게 변하지 않습니다.

Values established since childhood do not change easily.

정립된 (established/solidified) is a formal passive form.

작가는 어릴 때의 경험을 소설 속에 투영시켰습니다.

The author projected their childhood experiences into the novel.

투영시키다 (to project) is a sophisticated vocabulary choice.

어릴 때의 순수함을 잃어가는 현대인들의 비애를 다룬 영화입니다.

It is a movie dealing with the sorrow of modern people losing their childhood innocence.

비애 (sorrow/pathos) is a high-level noun.

어릴 때부터 한학을 공부한 덕분에 문해력이 뛰어납니다.

Thanks to studying Chinese classics since young, their literacy is outstanding.

한학 (Chinese classics) and 문해력 (literacy) are academic terms.

어릴 때의 무모한 도전이 지금의 성공을 만들었습니다.

The reckless challenges of childhood created today's success.

무모한 (reckless/foolhardy) adds character to the 'challenge'.

어릴 때 살던 동네의 골목길은 제게 안식처와 같았습니다.

The alleys of the neighborhood I lived in as a child were like a sanctuary to me.

안식처 (sanctuary/haven) is a poetic noun.

어릴 때부터 맺어온 인연이 지금까지 이어지고 있습니다.

The connection formed since childhood has continued until now.

맺어온 (formed and continued) refers to a relationship.

어릴 때의 기억은 때로 왜곡되거나 미화되기 마련입니다.

Childhood memories are bound to be distorted or beautified at times.

-기 마련이다 expresses an inevitable natural tendency.

그의 음악에는 어릴 때 들었던 고향의 소리가 갈무리되어 있습니다.

In his music, the sounds of his hometown heard when young are preserved/stored.

갈무리되다 (to be stored/preserved) is a refined literary term.

어릴 때의 결핍이 역설적으로 성장의 동력이 되기도 합니다.

Childhood deprivation can paradoxically become a driving force for growth.

결핍 (deprivation/lack) and 동력 (driving force) are advanced concepts.

어릴 때의 정서적 유대감이 인간관계의 근간을 이룹니다.

Emotional bonding in childhood forms the foundation of human relationships.

근간을 이루다 (to form the foundation/root) is a formal idiom.

어릴 때의 꿈을 포기하지 않고 정진한 끝에 명성을 얻었습니다.

After devoting himself without giving up on his childhood dream, he gained fame.

정진하다 (to devote oneself/strive) is a very formal verb.

어릴 때의 상처가 아물지 않은 채 성인이 된 이들이 많습니다.

There are many who have become adults with childhood wounds unhealed.

-ㄴ 채 (in the state of) describes a continuing condition.

어릴 때의 호기심을 유지하는 것이 창의성의 핵심입니다.

Maintaining childhood curiosity is the core of creativity.

핵심 (core/essence) defines the importance of the subject.

어릴 때부터 체득한 감각은 이론으로 설명할 수 없는 영역입니다.

Senses acquired through experience since childhood are an area that cannot be explained by theory.

체득하다 (to learn through experience/internalize) is an advanced verb.

المرادفات

어린 시절 어릴 적 유년기 꼬마였을 때 아기 때 초등학생 때 어렸을 때 소년/소녀 시절

الأضداد

커서 어른이 되었을 때 늙었을 때 지금

تلازمات شائعة

어릴 때 꿈

어릴 때 친구

어릴 때 기억

어릴 때 사진

어릴 때 살던 곳

어릴 때부터

어릴 때 모습

어릴 때 습관

어릴 때 이야기

어릴 때 추억

العبارات الشائعة

나 어릴 때는 말이야

— Back when I was young... (Often used by elders to start a lecture or story).

나 어릴 때는 스마트폰 같은 거 없었어.

어릴 때 생각나다

— To be reminded of childhood. Used when seeing something nostalgic.

이 사탕 보니까 어릴 때 생각이 나네요.

어릴 때랑 똑같다

— To be exactly the same as when young. Used for appearances or personality.

너는 웃는 모습이 어릴 때랑 똑같아.

어릴 때 고생하다

— To suffer or go through hardships during childhood.

그는 어릴 때 고생을 많이 해서 생활력이 강해요.

어릴 때 귀여움을 받다

— To be loved/doted on when young.

막내라서 어릴 때 귀여움을 많이 받았어요.

어릴 때부터 알고 지내다

— To have known each other since childhood.

우리는 어릴 때부터 알고 지낸 사이예요.

어릴 때로 돌아가다

— To go back to one's childhood (usually in one's mind or heart).

잠시 어릴 때로 돌아간 기분이었어요.

어릴 때 버릇

— Childhood habit (often with a negative connotation).

어릴 때 버릇 여든까지 간다는 말이 있죠.

어릴 때 살던 동네

— The neighborhood where one lived as a child.

어릴 때 살던 동네가 재개발됐대요.

어릴 때 보던 만화

— The cartoons one used to watch as a child.

어릴 때 보던 만화 주제가를 아직도 외워요.

يُخلط عادةً مع

어릴 때 vs 젊을 때

Used for young adulthood (20s-30s), whereas '어릴 때' is for childhood.

어릴 때 vs 어려울 때

Means 'when it is difficult'. Sounds similar but is derived from '어렵다' (to be difficult).

어릴 때 vs 작을 때

Means 'when small'. Refers to physical size, not necessarily a time period of life.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다"

— Habits formed at age three last until eighty. (Meaning childhood habits are hard to break).

어릴 때 버릇이 중요해요. 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다잖아요.

Proverb

"개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다"

— The frog forgets its time as a tadpole. (Meaning an adult forgets what it was like to be a child/beginner).

부장님은 어릴 때 생각 못 하시고 우리를 너무 혼내요.

Proverb

"어릴 때 떡잎부터 알아본다"

— You can recognize a good tree from its first leaves. (Meaning talent shows early).

그는 어릴 때부터 떡잎이 달랐어요.

Common Idiom

"어릴 때 밥을 굶다"

— To go hungry when young. (Metaphor for extreme poverty in childhood).

어릴 때 밥을 굶어본 사람은 음식의 소중함을 알아요.

Narrative Idiom

"어릴 때 때를 밀다"

— To scrub off dead skin at the bathhouse as a child. (A shared Korean cultural memory).

어릴 때 아버지랑 목욕탕 가서 때 밀던 게 생각나요.

Cultural Idiom

"어릴 때 코 묻은 돈"

— Snot-stained money. (Meaning a very small amount of money from a child).

아이들 코 묻은 돈까지 뺏으면 안 되지.

Colloquial

"어릴 때 머리가 크다"

— To have a big head as a child. (Literally, or figuratively meaning 'precocious').

너는 어릴 때부터 머리가 컸어 (You were smart/mature for your age).

Slang-ish/Casual

"어릴 때 흙을 파먹다"

— To dig and eat dirt as a child. (Meaning to play outside a lot in nature).

우리 어릴 때는 흙 파먹고 놀았는데 요즘 애들은 안 그래요.

Colloquial

"어릴 때 눈을 뜨다"

— To open one's eyes (to something) when young. (Meaning to discover a passion early).

저는 어릴 때 음악에 눈을 떴어요.

Figurative

"어릴 때 잔뼈가 굵다"

— To grow one's small bones (in a field). (Meaning to grow up doing a certain job or living in a certain place).

그는 어릴 때부터 시장에서 잔뼈가 굵었어요.

Idiom

سهل الخلط

어릴 때 vs 어리다 vs. 젊다

Both translate to 'young' in English.

'어리다' is for children (pre-teen). '젊다' is for young adults (20s-40s). You wouldn't call a 5-year-old '젊다', and you wouldn't call a 25-year-old '어리다' unless they are acting immature.

어린아이 (child) vs. 젊은이 (young person/adult).

어릴 때 vs 어릴 때 vs. 어렸을 때

Both mean 'when young'.

Grammatically, '어릴 때' uses the future/prospective modifier, while '어렸을 때' uses the past modifier. In practice, they are 99% interchangeable, but '어릴 때' is slightly more common in general speech.

어릴 때 친구 vs. 어렸을 때 친구.

어릴 때 vs 어린 시절 vs. 유년기

Both mean 'childhood'.

'어린 시절' is emotional and nostalgic. '유년기' is a formal, developmental term used in science or history.

행복한 어린 시절 vs. 유년기의 발달 과정.

어릴 때 vs 때 vs. 적

Both mean 'time' or 'when'.

'때' is the standard, everyday word. '적' is more literary or used in specific set phrases like '어릴 적' or '본 적' (have seen).

밥 먹을 때 vs. 어릴 적.

어릴 때 vs 아이 vs. 어린이

Both mean 'child'.

'아이' (or '애') is the general word for child/kid. '어린이' is a more formal or respectful term, often used on Children's Day (어린이날) or in public announcements.

우리 애 (my kid) vs. 어린이 여러분 (children/young friends).

أنماط الجُمل

어릴 때 [Noun]을/를 좋아했어요.

어릴 때 사탕을 좋아했어요.

어릴 때부터 [Verb]-아/어 왔어요.

어릴 때부터 피아노를 쳐 왔어요.

어릴 때 [Verb]-던 [Noun]이/가 생각나요.

어릴 때 먹던 과자가 생각나요.

어릴 때의 [Noun]은/는 [Adjective]-았/었/였어요.

어릴 때의 제 성격은 아주 내성적이었어요.

어릴 때 겪은 [Noun]이/가 [Noun]의 계기가 되었습니다.

어릴 때 겪은 여행이 작가가 된 계기가 되었습니다.

어릴 때의 [Noun]이/가 지금까지 [Verb]-고 있습니다.

어릴 때의 호기심이 지금까지 저를 움직이고 있습니다.

Mixed

어릴 때 살던 [Noun]에 다시 가고 싶어요.

어릴 때 살던 동네에 다시 가고 싶어요.

Mixed

어릴 때 꿈은 [Noun]이/가 되는 것이었어요.

어릴 때 꿈은 의사가 되는 것이었어요.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

어린이 (Child)

어린 시절 (Childhood days)

어린이날 (Children's Day)

الأفعال

어려지다 (To become younger/look younger)

الصفات

어리다 (To be young/childlike)

어린 (Young - modifier form)

어리석다 (To be foolish - historically related)

مرتبط

젊다 (To be young adult)

나이 (Age)

과거 (Past)

추억 (Memory)

성장 (Growth)

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Korean.

أخطاء شائعة

Using '어릴 때' for college years. → 대학교 때 or 젊었을 때
'어릴 때' is strictly for childhood. Using it for your 20s makes you sound like you think you were a child at 20.
어릴 때 피아노를 쳐요. (Present tense) → 어릴 때 피아노를 쳤어요.
The time marker is in the past, so the verb must be in the past tense to match.
Confusing '어릴 때' with '어려울 때'. → Context dependent.
'어려울 때' means 'when it's hard'. Make sure to pronounce the '리' (ri) and '려' (ryeo) differently.
Using '어린 때' instead of '어릴 때'. → 어릴 때
While '어린' is the modifier for 'child', the grammar pattern for 'when' specifically requires the -(으)ㄹ form: 어릴 때.
어릴 때에 살아요. → 어릴 때 살았어요.
Again, tense mismatch. You lived (past) in that time, you don't live (present) in 'when young'.

نصائح

Tense Agreement

Always make sure the main verb of your sentence is in the past tense. Since '어릴 때' sets the scene in the past, your actions must match. For example, use '좋아했어요' (liked) instead of '좋아해요' (like).

Specific Ages

If you want to be more specific than just 'young', you can use '유치원 때' (when in kindergarten) or '초등학교 때' (when in elementary school). These are common alternatives to '어릴 때'.

Natural Flow

Native speakers often shorten '어릴 때' to '어릴 적' or just start sentences with '나 때는...' (in my day) when being informal. However, '어릴 때' is the safest and most versatile version to use.

Nostalgia Factor

Koreans love talking about '어릴 때' snacks (불량식품) and games. Learning a few names of old Korean snacks can make your childhood stories much more engaging to native speakers.

Using Modifiers

You can add adverbs like '아주' (very) or '정말' (really) before '어릴 때' to emphasize how young you were. '아주 어릴 때' usually means when you were a toddler or baby.

Context Clues

If you hear '어릴 때' followed by '꿈' (dream), the person is about to tell you what they wanted to be when they grew up. This is a very common conversation pattern.

Double Consonant

Don't forget the double 'tt' in 'ttae' (때). It should be a strong, tense sound. If you pronounce it too softly, it might sound like 'dae', which could be confusing.

Building Rapport

Asking '어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요?' (What kind of child were you when you were young?) is a great way to deepen a friendship and learn about someone's personality.

Particle Variations

Experiment with particles! '어릴 때도' (even when I was young), '어릴 때만' (only when I was young), '어릴 때부터' (since I was young). Each one adds a unique nuance to your story.

Visual Cues

Try to associate '어릴 때' with a specific object from your childhood, like a favorite toy. Whenever you see or think of that toy, say '어릴 때' out loud.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Eoril' as 'Early'. Eoril ttae = Early time. It sounds similar and helps you remember it refers to your early years.

ربط بصري

Imagine an old, dusty photo album with a picture of you as a 5-year-old. The label on the album says '어릴 때'.

Word Web

어리다 어린이 어린 시절 어릴 적 때 초등학생 추억 과거

تحدٍّ

Try to write three sentences about your favorite food, favorite game, and favorite place from your childhood using '어릴 때'.

أصل الكلمة

The phrase comes from the Middle Korean adjective '어리다' (eorida) combined with the noun '때' (ttae).

المعنى الأصلي: In Middle Korean (15th century), '어리다' actually meant 'to be foolish' or 'stupid' (similar to the famous line in the Hunminjeongeum preface). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'foolish' to 'young' because young children were perceived as lacking knowledge or being 'foolish' in a non-pejorative sense.

Native Korean (Pure Korean).

السياق الثقافي

When asking about someone's '어릴 때', be aware that not everyone has happy childhood memories. In formal settings, it's safer to let the other person bring it up first.

English speakers might use 'when I was young' for their 20s, but Koreans use '젊을 때' for that. '어릴 때' is strictly for when you were a 'kid'.

IU's song 'Eight' (prod. & feat. SUGA) deals with looking back at childhood and the loss of friends. The drama 'Reply 1988' is the ultimate exploration of '어릴 때' in a Korean neighborhood. The 'Squid Game' series uses childhood games (어릴 때 놀이) as a dark contrast to adult survival.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Reminiscing with friends

어릴 때 우리 진짜 자주 놀았는데.
어릴 때 너 기억나?
어릴 때 살던 동네 가봤어?
어릴 때 먹던 그 과자 이름이 뭐지?

Job Interviews / Self-introductions

어릴 때부터 이 분야에 관심이 많았습니다.
어릴 때 겪은 경험이 저를 성장시켰습니다.
어릴 때 꿈을 이루기 위해 노력해왔습니다.
어릴 때 살던 곳의 환경 덕분에...

Talking about family

제 동생은 어릴 때 정말 귀여웠어요.
어릴 때 부모님께서 엄격하셨어요.
어릴 때 할머니 손에서 자랐어요.
어릴 때 가족 여행을 자주 갔어요.

Describing habits/talents

어릴 때부터 피아노를 쳤어요.
어릴 때는 편식이 심했어요.
어릴 때부터 책 읽는 걸 좋아했어요.
어릴 때 운동을 많이 해서 건강해요.

Cultural discussions

한국 아이들은 어릴 때 보통 학원에 다녀요.
어릴 때 놀던 한국 전통 게임이 있어요.
어릴 때 먹던 간식이 가끔 생각나요.
어릴 때의 교육이 정말 중요하다고 생각해요.

بدايات محادثة

"어릴 때 꿈이 뭐였어요? (What was your childhood dream?)"

"어릴 때 가장 좋아하던 만화가 뭐예요? (What was your favorite cartoon when you were young?)"

"어릴 때 어디에서 살았어요? (Where did you live when you were young?)"

"어릴 때부터 지금까지 계속하고 있는 취미가 있어요? (Do you have a hobby you've been doing since you were young?)"

"어릴 때 사진 보는 거 좋아하세요? (Do you like looking at childhood photos?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

어릴 때 가장 기억에 남는 추억에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about your most memorable childhood memory.)

어릴 때 살던 동네와 지금 살고 있는 동네를 비교해 보세요. (Compare the neighborhood you lived in as a child with where you live now.)

어릴 때 가졌던 꿈이 지금 어떻게 변했는지 적어 보세요. (Write about how your childhood dream has changed now.)

어릴 때부터 지금까지 변하지 않은 자신의 성격은 무엇인가요? (What part of your personality hasn't changed since childhood?)

어릴 때 가장 좋아했던 음식과 그 이유를 설명해 보세요. (Explain your favorite childhood food and why you liked it.)

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Generally, no. '어릴 때' usually refers to the period before middle school (elementary and below). For high school, you would say '고등학생 때' or '학창 시절' (school days).

Yes, absolutely! You can say '그는 어릴 때...' (He, when he was young...) or '우리 어머니는 어릴 때...' (My mother, when she was young...).

Yes, but use '제가 어릴 때' (humble form) instead of '나 어릴 때'. If you want to sound even more professional, you could use '어린 시절'.

'어릴 때' is the most common way to say it in daily speech. '어릴 적' sounds a bit more poetic and is often used in writing or when being very nostalgic.

You add the particle '-부터' to '때'. So it becomes '어릴 때부터'. Example: '어릴 때부터 한국어를 공부했어요' (I've studied Korean since I was young).

Yes, you can use it to refer to a pet's 'puppyhood' or 'kittenhood'. '우리 강아지 어릴 때 사진이에요' (This is a photo of my dog when it was young).

Sometimes. If you tell an adult '너 참 어리다', it means 'You are very immature'. But in the phrase '어릴 때', it is just a neutral time marker.

'어린' means 'young' (modifying a noun right now), while '어릴' is used with '때' to mean 'the time when one [is/was] young'. It's a specific grammar rule for '때'.

Yes, you can add the time particle '에', but in spoken Korean, it's almost always dropped. '어릴 때' sounds more natural.

There isn't one single word, but you could use '커서' (after growing up) or '어른이 되어서' (after becoming an adult) to show the contrast.

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