Explanation at your level:
You use 먼저 to say 'first.' If you are at a door, you say '먼저 가세요' (You go first). It is very easy to use! Just put it before the action.
When you have two things to do, use 먼저 for the first one. For example, 'I will eat first' is '먼저 먹을게요.' It helps people know your plan.
먼저 is essential for organizing social interactions. Use it to be polite, like offering someone else the priority. It is also used in business to explain the order of tasks or projects.
At this level, you can use 먼저 to contrast priorities. It helps in negotiations or complex explanations to establish a hierarchy of importance among several different tasks.
In advanced contexts, 먼저 can imply a strategic advantage. It is used in analytical writing to discuss precedence in historical or logical arguments, showing a high command of sequence.
Mastery of 먼저 involves understanding its subtle role in social hierarchy and etiquette. It is used in literature to highlight a character's initiative or lack thereof, reflecting deep cultural values.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means 'first' in time.
- Adverb placement is key.
- Used for politeness.
- Essential for daily conversation.
Hey there! 먼저 (meon-jeo) is one of those words you will use every single day in Korea. It is the go-to word for saying 'first' or 'beforehand.' Think of it as the ultimate organizer for your actions.
Whether you are telling a friend to eat first, or saying you need to finish a task before moving on, 먼저 is your best friend. It helps clarify the order of events, making sure everyone is on the same page. It is simple, powerful, and essential for clear communication.
The word 먼저 has deep roots in the Korean language, evolving from the concept of 'distance' or 'front.' Historically, it is related to the word 먼 (far), implying that something is 'further out' in time or space.
Over centuries, it transitioned from a spatial concept to a temporal one. It is fascinating how languages evolve to track time through distance! It shares linguistic DNA with other ancient Korean structures that emphasize sequence and priority, reflecting a culture that values order and etiquette.
You use 먼저 when you want to establish a sequence. It is very versatile! You can use it in casual settings, like 먼저 가세요 (Please go first), or in professional settings, like 먼저 검토하겠습니다 (I will review it first).
It pairs perfectly with verbs of movement or action. Because it is an adverb, it usually sits right before the verb it modifies. It is neutral in register, meaning it fits perfectly in almost any conversation without sounding too stiff or too slangy.
1. 먼저 선수 치다: To make the first move or beat someone to it. Example: 그가 먼저 선수 쳤어.
2. 먼저 말 꺼내다: To bring up a topic first. Example: 누가 먼저 말 꺼낼 거야?
3. 먼저 챙기다: To take care of something first. Example: 건강을 먼저 챙겨야지.
4. 먼저 가세요: A polite way to say 'after you.' Example: 엘리베이터에서 먼저 가세요.
5. 먼저 온 순서대로: First-come, first-served. Example: 먼저 온 순서대로 입장하세요.
Grammatically, 먼저 is a pure adverb. It doesn't change form based on tense or subject; it just sits there and does its job! It is pronounced with a crisp 'meon' followed by 'jeo'.
In terms of stress, Korean is relatively flat, but you might slightly emphasize the first syllable for clarity. It rhymes loosely with words like 언제 (when) in terms of the ending sound, making it easy to remember for beginners.
Fun Fact
It evolved from the word for distance.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'mun-juh'.
Sounds like 'mun-juh'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'eo' sound
- Adding extra syllables
- Stressing the wrong part
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Straightforward
Very common
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
Adverb + Verb
Polite endings
-세요
Sequence markers
-고 나서
Examples by Level
먼저 가세요.
First go.
Polite command.
제가 먼저 할게요.
I first will do.
Subject + adverb + verb.
먼저 먹어요.
First eat.
Imperative.
먼저 오세요.
First come.
Polite request.
먼저 봐요.
First look.
Simple verb.
먼저 시작해요.
First start.
Verb modification.
먼저 할까요?
First shall we do?
Question form.
먼저 읽으세요.
First read.
Polite instruction.
먼저 숙제를 하세요.
먼저 연락할게요.
누가 먼저 왔어요?
먼저 준비하세요.
먼저 씻으세요.
먼저 말씀하세요.
먼저 나가세요.
먼저 계산할게요.
먼저 결정을 내려야 합니다.
먼저 도착한 사람이 이깁니다.
먼저 양해를 구하세요.
먼저 검토해 보겠습니다.
먼저 가본 적이 있어요.
먼저 제안을 했습니다.
먼저 생각해보세요.
먼저 자리를 잡으세요.
먼저 선수를 치는 것이 중요합니다.
먼저 원인을 파악해야 합니다.
먼저 시도해 보는 것이 어떨까요?
먼저 동의를 얻어야 합니다.
먼저 조치를 취하겠습니다.
먼저 양보하는 미덕.
먼저 언급된 내용입니다.
먼저 처리할 업무가 많습니다.
먼저 선점하는 전략이 필요하다.
먼저 공표된 사실을 확인하십시오.
먼저 도출된 결론을 바탕으로.
먼저 주도권을 잡는 것이 유리하다.
먼저 배제된 항목들입니다.
먼저 통찰을 제공합니다.
먼저 상정된 가설입니다.
먼저 규명된 원인입니다.
먼저 천명된 의지를 존중한다.
먼저 선행되어야 할 과제들이다.
먼저 귀결된 논리적 오류.
먼저 제기된 담론의 핵심.
먼저 수반되는 책임이 있다.
먼저 발현된 창의성.
먼저 정립된 개념.
먼저 투영된 가치관.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"먼저 선수 치다"
To beat someone to the punch.
그가 먼저 선수 쳤어.
casual"먼저 온 순서"
First-come order.
먼저 온 순서대로 앉으세요.
neutral"먼저 말 꺼내다"
To initiate a topic.
누가 먼저 말 꺼낼래?
neutral"먼저 챙기다"
To prioritize someone/something.
가족을 먼저 챙겨라.
neutral"먼저 가세요"
After you.
문 앞에서 먼저 가세요.
polite"먼저 손 쓰다"
To take action first.
먼저 손 쓰는 게 좋을 거야.
casualEasily Confused
Both mean 'first'.
우선 is priority; 먼저 is sequence.
우선 (first/priority) vs 먼저 (first/time).
Both mean 'ahead'.
앞서 is more formal/literary.
앞서 말한 (aforementioned).
Both mean 'first of all'.
일단 implies 'for now'.
일단 먹자 (Let's just eat for now).
N/A
N/A
N/A
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 먼저 + Verb
제가 먼저 할게요.
먼저 + Verb + (polite ending)
먼저 가세요.
먼저 + Noun + Verb
먼저 숙제를 하세요.
먼저 + Verb + (question)
먼저 할까요?
먼저 + Verb + (conjunction)
먼저 하고 나서 하세요.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
먼저 is strictly an adverb.
One is before, one is after.
Sounds repetitive.
Adverbs modify verbs.
Too casual.
Tips
Memory Palace
Put '먼저' on the first step of your stairs.
Native Habit
Use it when entering elevators.
Etiquette
Always offer '먼저' to elders.
Placement
Always before the verb.
Clear Vowels
Focus on the 'eo'.
Noun Trap
Don't use it as a noun.
History
Related to 'far'.
Flashcards
Pair with '나중에'.
Politeness
Great for social grace.
Flexibility
Works with all verbs.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mun' (Moon) going 'Jeo' (There) first.
Visual Association
A person pointing to a path saying 'you first'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Use '먼저' in 3 sentences today.
Wortherkunft
Korean
Original meaning: Far/Front
Kultureller Kontext
None, very neutral.
Equivalent to 'first' or 'after you'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a restaurant
- 먼저 주문할게요
- 먼저 마실게요
- 먼저 주세요
At work
- 먼저 검토하겠습니다
- 먼저 말씀드렸듯이
- 먼저 처리할게요
At home
- 먼저 씻으세요
- 먼저 드세요
- 먼저 자요
In public
- 먼저 가세요
- 먼저 타세요
- 먼저 내리세요
Conversation Starters
"먼저 가세요."
"누가 먼저 할까요?"
"먼저 먹어도 돼요?"
"먼저 연락할게요."
"먼저 시작합시다."
Journal Prompts
What do you do first in the morning?
Write about a time you let someone go first.
Why is it important to do things first?
Describe your morning routine using '먼저'.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, it's for actions/events.
It is neutral.
먼저 가세요.
Very similar, but 우선 is more about priority.
Yes, but the adverb itself doesn't change.
No, it is an adverb.
Yes, very common.
It sounds unnatural.
Teste dich selbst
___ 가세요.
먼저 means first.
Which means 'I will do it first'?
먼저 means first.
먼저 is a noun.
It is an adverb.
Word
Bedeutung
Basic time words.
Subject + Adverb + Verb.
식사 ___ 하세요.
Eat first.
Which is a synonym?
우선 is a priority synonym.
먼저 can be used for spatial distance.
It is for temporal sequence.
Word
Bedeutung
Advanced synonyms.
Logical sequence.
Ergebnis: /10
Summary
먼저 is the perfect word to establish order and show politeness in any Korean conversation.
- Means 'first' in time.
- Adverb placement is key.
- Used for politeness.
- Essential for daily conversation.
Memory Palace
Put '먼저' on the first step of your stairs.
Native Habit
Use it when entering elevators.
Etiquette
Always offer '먼저' to elders.
Placement
Always before the verb.
Related Content
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr general Wörter
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
