일단
It means to do something first or for now before doing anything else.
Explanation at your level:
You use 일단 when you want to do something first. If you are hungry, you say '일단 먹자' (Let's eat first). It is a very helpful word for your daily life.
When you have a big plan, you can use 일단 to talk about the first step. It means 'for now.' For example, '일단 집에 가요' means 'Let's go home for now.'
일단 helps you manage your time and tasks. It is often used to suggest a temporary solution. When you are not sure about the final result, you can use this word to show you are starting with a preliminary action.
In professional settings, 일단 is used to manage expectations. It signals that a decision is provisional. It is a great way to maintain politeness while delaying a final commitment in a discussion.
Advanced learners use 일단 to structure arguments. It acts as a discourse marker that delineates phases of thought. By using it, you signal to the listener that you are addressing the immediate requirements before tackling higher-level complexities.
At the mastery level, 일단 functions as a tool for cognitive framing. It allows the speaker to impose order on chaotic situations by establishing a 'first stage.' It reflects a nuanced understanding of temporal progression and the strategic deferment of finality in both speech and thought.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- Means 'first' or 'for now'.
- Used to prioritize or pause.
- Very versatile adverb.
- Neutral register.
The word 일단 is a super handy adverb in Korean that you will hear almost every single day. Think of it as a way to hit the 'pause' button on a complex situation and focus on the immediate next step.
When you use 일단, you are telling the listener: 'Let's take care of this specific thing for now.' It doesn't necessarily mean you are finished forever, but it means you are making a temporary decision to move forward. It is the perfect word for when you are feeling overwhelmed and just need to start somewhere!
The word 일단 is composed of two Hanja characters: 一 (일, meaning 'one') and 段 (단, meaning 'step' or 'stage').
Literally, it translates to 'one step' or 'first stage.' Historically, this reflects the idea of breaking a larger task into smaller, manageable phases. By focusing on the 'first stage,' you simplify your workflow. It is a classic example of how Korean uses ancient Chinese characters to create very practical, modern-day vocabulary for everyday life.
You can use 일단 in almost any context, from casual chats with friends to professional meetings. It is extremely versatile.
Commonly, it is paired with verbs like 하다 (to do) or 먹다 (to eat). For example, saying '일단 먹자' (Let's eat first) is a classic way to pause a discussion and prioritize lunch. In business, you might hear '일단 검토해 보겠습니다' (I will review it for now), which is a polite way to buy time while acknowledging the task.
While 일단 itself is an adverb, it appears in many set phrases. 1. 일단락되다: To reach a temporary conclusion or a logical stopping point. 2. 일단 제쳐두고: Putting something aside for now to focus on the main issue. 3. 일단 시작이 반이다: A variation of 'well begun is half done,' emphasizing the importance of the first step. 4. 일단 보류: To put on hold temporarily. 5. 일단락 짓다: To bring a matter to a temporary close.
일단 is an adverb, so it does not change its form. It typically sits right before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
Pronunciation is straightforward: [il-dan]. Ensure the 'l' sound in the first syllable is crisp. It rhymes with words like '단단' (firm/solid) or '판단' (judgment). There is no complex conjugation here, making it a very friendly word for beginners to master quickly!
Fun Fact
It is a perfect example of how Korean combines two characters to create a practical adverb.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'eel-dahn'
Sounds like 'eel-dahn'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'l' sound
- Adding extra syllables
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
일단 먹자
Hanja roots
일(一) + 단(段)
Sentence structure
Subject-Adverb-Verb
Examples by Level
일단 먹어요.
First/for now, let's eat.
Adverb + Verb
일단 가요.
일단 앉아요.
일단 쉬어요.
일단 봐요.
일단 해요.
일단 자요.
일단 마셔요.
일단 숙제부터 해요.
일단 친구를 만나요.
일단 커피를 마셔요.
일단 계획을 세워요.
일단 밖으로 나가요.
일단 옷을 입어요.
일단 문을 열어요.
일단 전화를 해요.
일단 이 문제를 해결합시다.
일단 예약을 확인해 볼게요.
일단 상황을 지켜봅시다.
일단 여기서 기다려 주세요.
일단 제 의견을 말씀드릴게요.
일단 자료를 검토하겠습니다.
일단락 짓고 다시 이야기해요.
일단은 이것으로 충분합니다.
일단 보류하고 나중에 다시 논의하죠.
일단은 임시 방편으로 처리했습니다.
일단락된 것처럼 보이지만 아직 멀었습니다.
일단은 상황이 안정된 것 같습니다.
일단은 제안을 수락하는 것이 좋겠어요.
일단은 이 방향으로 진행해 봅시다.
일단은 원칙을 지키는 것이 중요합니다.
일단은 다른 대안을 찾아봐야 합니다.
일단락된 논의를 다시 꺼내는 것은 무의미합니다.
일단은 실무적인 차원에서 접근해야 합니다.
일단은 가설을 세우고 검증에 들어갑시다.
일단은 정책의 우선순위를 재조정해야 합니다.
일단은 상황을 관망하는 태도가 필요합니다.
일단은 근본적인 문제부터 짚고 넘어가죠.
일단은 이 정도에서 합의를 보는 게 어떨까요?
일단은 유보적인 입장을 취하는 것이 현명합니다.
일단락 짓기에는 아직 해결해야 할 과제가 산적해 있습니다.
일단은 사태의 추이를 면밀히 관찰할 필요가 있습니다.
일단은 합리적인 의심을 바탕으로 조사를 시작합시다.
일단은 관습적인 틀에서 벗어날 필요가 있습니다.
일단은 논리적 정합성을 확보하는 것이 급선무입니다.
일단은 담론의 범위를 좁히는 것이 효율적입니다.
일단은 형이상학적인 논쟁을 뒤로 미루겠습니다.
일단은 본질적인 가치에 집중하는 것이 중요합니다.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"일단 시작이 반이다"
Well begun is half done
일단 시작이 반이니 바로 시작하자.
neutral"일단락 짓다"
To bring to a temporary close
오늘 논의는 여기서 일단락 짓죠.
formal"일단 보류하다"
To put on hold for now
결정은 일단 보류합시다.
formal"일단락되다"
To be settled for now
모든 문제가 일단락되었다.
neutral"일단 제쳐두다"
To set aside for now
그건 일단 제쳐두고 이것부터 하자.
neutral"일단락 시키다"
To cause a temporary finish
상황을 일단락 시키는 것이 좋겠다.
formalEasily Confused
Both imply sequence
먼저 is sequence, 일단 is temporary pause
먼저 가세요 vs 일단 가세요.
Both mean temporary
당분간 is duration, 일단 is priority
당분간 쉬자 vs 일단 쉬자.
Both mean priority
우선 is preference, 일단 is stage
우선 이걸 하세요 vs 일단 이걸 하세요.
Contains the word
It is a noun meaning 'a stage'
일단락되었다.
Sentence Patterns
일단 + Verb
일단 가자.
일단 + Noun + Verb
일단 숙제 먼저 해.
일단 + [Clause]
일단은 내가 할게.
일단 + [Formal Verb]
일단 검토하겠습니다.
일단 + [Adverbial Phrase]
일단 상황을 지켜봅시다.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
It describes the action, not the object itself.
They overlap but have different nuances.
It can sound repetitive.
Adverbs need to be near the action.
It is not for final decisions.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine one step on a ladder.
Native Usage
Use it when you need to buy time.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value efficiency, hence this word.
Grammar Shortcut
It never changes form.
Say It Right
Keep the 'l' crisp.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for finality.
Did You Know?
It means 'one step' in Hanja.
Study Smart
Make sentences about your daily routine.
Daily Practice
Use it when deciding lunch.
Fluency Tip
Use it to start your sentences.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'One-Step' - you take one step at a time.
Visual Association
A staircase where you stop on the first step to catch your breath.
Word Web
Desafío
Try using '일단' in 3 sentences today.
Origen de la palabra
Hanja (Chinese characters)
Original meaning: One step
Contexto cultural
None, it is a very neutral word.
Similar to 'for now' or 'first off' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 일단 검토할게요
- 일단 보류하죠
- 일단락 지읍시다
At home
- 일단 먹자
- 일단 쉬자
- 일단 하자
Traveling
- 일단 가보자
- 일단 체크인하자
- 일단 예약하자
Study
- 일단 시작하자
- 일단 읽어보자
- 일단 정리하자
Conversation Starters
"일단 뭐부터 할까요?"
"일단 점심 먹으러 갈까요?"
"일단 이 문제부터 해결할까요?"
"일단 상황이 어떤가요?"
"일단 계획을 세워볼까요?"
Journal Prompts
What is one thing you want to do '일단' today?
Describe a time you had to pause a project '일단'.
How do you prioritize your tasks?
Write about your first step in learning Korean.
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasIt is neutral and used in all settings.
No, it implies a temporary stage.
No, it is an adverb.
Usually at the beginning or before the verb.
一 (one) and 段 (step).
Yes, very common.
Yes, e.g., '일단 보류'.
No, it is very simple.
Ponte a prueba
___ 먹자.
It means 'Let's eat first'.
What does '일단' mean?
It means for now/first.
'일단' is a noun.
It is an adverb.
Word
Significado
Match the meaning.
Adverb comes first.
문제를 ___ 보류합시다.
Fits the context of pausing.
Which is correct?
Both are grammatically acceptable.
'일단' is used for final decisions.
It is for temporary ones.
Word
Significado
Vocabulary matching.
Correct word order.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
일단 is your best friend when you need to simplify a task and focus on the very next step.
- Means 'first' or 'for now'.
- Used to prioritize or pause.
- Very versatile adverb.
- Neutral register.
Memory Palace
Imagine one step on a ladder.
Native Usage
Use it when you need to buy time.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value efficiency, hence this word.
Grammar Shortcut
It never changes form.
Ejemplo
일단 숙제를 마치고 나서 저녁을 먹자.
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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.
