이르다 در ۳۰ ثانیه
- 이르다 is an adjective meaning 'to be early' in terms of time, age, or seasons.
- It is a '르' irregular word, so it conjugates to '일러요' (illeoyo) in the polite form.
- Commonly used in the pattern '-기에는 이르다' to mean 'it's too early to [do something].'
- It is distinct from '일찍' (adverb) and '빠르다' (fast/quick).
The Korean word 이르다 is a fundamental adjective primarily used to describe something that occurs before the expected, usual, or standard time. In English, it is most frequently translated as 'to be early.' This word is essential for daily life, covering everything from the arrival of seasons to the timing of personal decisions. Unlike the adverb '일찍' (early/soon), 이르다 functions as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean, meaning it describes the state of a noun or a situation. Understanding this word requires a grasp of its irregular conjugation, specifically the '르' irregular rule, where the stem changes when combined with vowels starting with '아' or '어'. For example, when saying 'It is early' in a polite informal style, it becomes 일러요 (illeoyo), not '이르러요'.
- Temporal Context
- When we talk about the clock, such as waking up at 5 AM, we describe that time as '이르다'. It isn't just about the hour; it's about the relative expectation of when things usually happen.
- Seasonal Context
- If cherry blossoms bloom in mid-March instead of April, Koreans would say '올해는 꽃이 이릅니다' (The flowers are early this year). It signifies a deviation from the natural cycle.
- Life Stages and Decisions
- In social contexts, it describes actions taken prematurely. Getting married at 19 might be described as '결혼하기에는 이른 나이' (an age too early for marriage).
아직 포기하기에는 이르다. (It is too early to give up yet.)
Beyond simple time, '이르다' carries a nuance of 'premature' in more advanced contexts. If someone tries to conclude a project before the results are in, a colleague might say '판단하기엔 일러요' (It's too early to judge). This highlights its versatility in professional and philosophical discussions. In Korean culture, where 'pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture is prevalent, being 'early' is often seen as a virtue, but '이르다' can also suggest that something hasn't reached its full maturity yet. For instance, '이른 아침' (early morning) is a very common set phrase used in literature and news reports to set a serene or industrious tone. Furthermore, in historical contexts, '이르다' can refer to the early period of a dynasty, like '조선 초기' (early Joseon), though '초기' is the noun form. When you use the adjective, you are emphasizing the quality of the timing itself.
Using 이르다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement as a predicate or a modifier. As a predicate, it typically appears at the end of a sentence. Because it is an adjective, it does not take an object. Instead, the subject of the sentence is the thing that is early. For example, '시간이 일러요' (The time is early). When modifying a noun, it changes to '이른', as in '이른 새벽' (early dawn). One of the most common patterns is [Action] + -기에는 이르다, which translates to 'It is too early to [Action].'
- The '르' Irregular Conjugation
- When the stem '이르-' meets '-아요/어요', the 'ㅡ' is dropped, and an extra 'ㄹ' is added to the preceding syllable. Thus, 이르다 + 어요 = 일러요. This is a critical hurdle for beginners.
우리는 이른 점심을 먹었다. (We ate an early lunch.)
In formal settings, you will see '이릅니다'. In written text, '이르다' is used in its plain form. It is important to distinguish this from the verb '이르다' which means 'to reach' or 'to tell'. While they look identical in the dictionary form, their meanings are entirely determined by context. For the 'early' meaning, you will almost always find it associated with time-related nouns like 시간 (time), 시기 (period), 나이 (age), or 계절 (season). For instance, '시기상조' is a four-character idiom (Saja-seong-eo) that literally means 'the time is still early/premature,' often used in business meetings to delay a decision. Another common usage is in the phrase '이르면' (at the earliest). If a delivery is expected next week, one might say '이르면 월요일에 도착해요' (It will arrive on Monday at the earliest). This shows how the word shifts from a simple description to a conditional limit.
In South Korea, you will encounter 이르다 in various social and professional scenarios. In the workplace, managers often use it when discussing project timelines or market entries. If a subordinate proposes launching a product, the manager might reply, '아직은 시장에 진입하기에 일러요' (It is still too early to enter the market). This implies that more preparation or a better economic climate is needed. On the news, weather forecasters frequently use it to describe unseasonable temperatures or early natural phenomena, such as '이른 더위' (early heat/summer-like weather in spring). This is a staple of meteorological vocabulary.
- Daily Conversations
- Friends meeting for coffee might say, '너무 일찍 왔나? 아직 문 열기 전이네.' Here, they use the adverb '일찍', but the response could be '응, 시간이 좀 이르네' (Yeah, the time is a bit early).
벌써 집에 가기에는 너무 일러요. (It's too early to go home already.)
In K-Dramas, you'll hear this word in romantic or dramatic contexts. A character might say it's 'too early' to say 'I love you' or 'too early' to forgive someone. This highlights the emotional weight the word can carry regarding readiness and maturity. In academic or historical documentaries, '이르다' is used to define the early phases of eras, such as '신석기 시대 이른 시기' (the early period of the Neolithic Age). This versatility—from the temperature of a spring morning to the deep history of a civilization—makes it a high-frequency word. Even in sports, commentators might say a player's return from injury is '이르다', suggesting a risk of re-injury. Thus, the word is deeply tied to the concept of 'appropriateness' in Korean culture.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 이르다 is confusing it with its homonyms. In Korean, '이르다' can mean 'to be early' (adjective), 'to tell/report' (verb), or 'to reach/arrive' (verb). While the dictionary form is the same, their conjugations and grammatical roles differ. For example, the verb 'to tell' (일러주다) also conjugates to '일러요', but it takes an object and a recipient. The verb 'to reach' (이르다) conjugates to '이르러요' in some dialects or specific literary forms, which is a major point of confusion. Learners must rely on context: if there is a destination, it's 'reach'; if there is information, it's 'tell'; if there is a time or age, it's 'early'.
- Adjective vs. Adverb
- Many learners try to use '이르다' where '일찍' (adverb) should be. You cannot say '이르다 일어났어요' to mean 'I woke up early.' You must use '일찍 일어났어요' or '이르게 일어났어요'.
Incorrect: 이르다 도착했어요.
Correct: 일찍 도착했어요. (I arrived early.)
Another mistake involves the '르' irregular conjugation. Beginners often forget to add the extra 'ㄹ' and say '이러요' or '이르어요'. It is vital to memorize the '일러' stem for any conjugation involving '아/어'. Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse '이르다' with '빠르다' (to be fast). While 'early' and 'fast' are related, they are not interchangeable. '빠르다' refers to speed (a fast car), while '이르다' refers to timing (an early morning). If a clock is 'fast' (showing 5:05 when it's 5:00), Koreans actually use '빠르다' (시계가 빨라요), but if you are describing the time itself as being before the usual hour, use '이르다'.
Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 이르다 helps in choosing the right word for the right nuance. While '이르다' is the general adjective for 'early,' several other words exist in the same semantic field.
- 이르다 vs. 일찍
- '이르다' is an adjective (describes a state), while '일찍' is an adverb (describes an action). Use '이르다' for 'The time is early' and '일찍' for 'I came early.'
- 이르다 vs. 빠르다
- '빠르다' means 'fast' or 'quick.' However, in some contexts like 'The deadline is fast approaching,' '빠르다' is used. '이르다' is strictly about the point in time being 'before' expectations.
- 조기 (早期)
- A Sino-Korean noun meaning 'early stage.' Used in formal terms like '조기 교육' (early education) or '조기 퇴근' (leaving work early).
For more advanced learners, '시기상조' (時機尙早) is a perfect alternative when you want to say something is 'premature.' It is a formal idiom often found in newspapers. Another related term is '섣부르다,' which means 'rash' or 'hasty,' often used when someone acts 'too early' without thinking. While '이르다' is neutral, '섣부르다' has a negative connotation of being ill-prepared. In literary settings, you might find '조속하다' (to be early and speedy), usually used in requests like '조속한 시일 내에' (as soon as possible/in the earliest possible date). Choosing between these depends on whether you are speaking casually, writing a formal report, or describing a specific type of 'earliness' (speed vs. timing).
چقدر رسمی است؟
نکته جالب
Because '이르다' has three distinct meanings (early, tell, reach), it is one of the most common sources of puns and confusion in Korean linguistics.
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing 'eu' like 'u' in 'blue'. It should be 'ɯ'.
- Over-rolling the 'r' (ㄹ). It's a light tap.
- Forgetting the 'ㄹ' in the conjugated form '일러요' (illeoyo).
- Confusing it with '이르러요' (reaching).
- Pronouncing 'i' too long like 'ee' in 'seed'.
سطح دشواری
Easy to recognize in text, but watch for homonyms.
Requires remembering the '르' irregular conjugation.
Must distinguish from '일찍' in spoken sentences.
Context is key to differentiate from 'to tell' or 'to reach'.
بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟
پیشنیازها
بعداً یاد بگیرید
پیشرفته
گرامر لازم
'르' Irregular Conjugation
이르다 -> 일러요 / 빠르다 -> 빨라요
-기에는 (For doing something)
먹기에는 너무 일러요.
-ㄴ/은 (Adjective modifying noun)
이른 아침
-면 (Conditional 'If')
이르면 내일 도착합니다.
-보다 (Comparison)
어제보다 시간이 일러요.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
지금은 너무 일러요.
It's too early right now.
Uses the '르' irregular conjugation: 이르다 -> 일러요.
이른 아침에 운동해요.
I exercise in the early morning.
이른 modifies the noun 아침.
시간이 아직 일러요.
The time is still early.
Subject + Adjective pattern.
이른 봄에 꽃이 펴요.
Flowers bloom in early spring.
Modifying a season.
학교에 가기에는 일러요.
It's early to go to school.
-기에는 means 'for doing [action]'.
잠들기에는 너무 일러요.
It's too early to go to sleep.
너무 adds emphasis.
이른 점심을 먹어요.
I eat an early lunch.
Modifying the meal noun.
생각보다 일러요.
It's earlier than I thought.
-보다 is the comparison particle.
포기하기에는 아직 일러요.
It's still too early to give up.
Verb stem + -기에는 + 이르다.
올해는 추위가 일러요.
The cold weather is early this year.
Describing a natural phenomenon.
그는 이른 나이에 성공했다.
He succeeded at an early age.
이른 modifying '나이' (age).
출근하기에 너무 이른 시간이다.
It is a time too early to go to work.
Noun + 이다 ending.
이르면 내일 만날 수 있어요.
At the earliest, we can meet tomorrow.
이르면 is the conditional 'if it is early'.
결론을 내리기엔 이릅니다.
It is early to draw a conclusion.
Formal -습니다 ending.
이른 새벽에 기차를 탔어요.
I took a train in the early dawn.
이른 modifying 새벽.
사과가 벌써 익기엔 일러요.
It's early for apples to ripen already.
Describing biological timing.
판단하기에는 아직 이른 감이 있다.
There's a feeling that it's still early to judge.
'이른 감이 있다' is a common idiomatic expression.
이르면 이번 주말에 완성될 거예요.
If early, it will be completed this weekend.
Conditional usage for estimates.
너무 일러서 아무도 없었어요.
It was so early that no one was there.
-아서/어서 indicating reason.
이른 시일 내에 답변 부탁드립니다.
Please reply at your earliest convenience.
Formal business request phrase.
성공을 축하하기에는 아직 일러요.
It's still early to celebrate success.
Warning against premature celebration.
이른 저녁을 먹고 산책을 갔다.
I had an early dinner and went for a walk.
Sequential actions.
그의 은퇴는 너무 이른 결정이었다.
His retirement was a premature decision.
Modifying the noun '결정' (decision).
꽃샘추위 때문에 봄이 이른 것 같아요.
Because of the last cold snap, spring seems early.
-ㄴ 것 같다 (it seems like).
시장에 진입하기에는 시기상조인 것 같습니다.
It seems premature to enter the market.
Using '시기상조' as a synonym for '이르다'.
이르면 다음 달부터 시행될 예정입니다.
It is scheduled to be implemented as early as next month.
Official announcement style.
그 작가는 시대를 앞서간 이른 천재였다.
That author was an early genius who was ahead of his time.
Using '이른' to mean 'early in history' or 'prematurely born'.
과일값이 작년보다 이르게 올랐다.
Fruit prices rose earlier than last year.
Adverbial form '이르게'.
샴페인을 터뜨리기엔 아직 일러요.
It's too early to pop the champagne.
Idiomatic usage for premature celebration.
이른바 'MZ세대'는 유행에 민감하다.
The so-called 'MZ generation' is sensitive to trends.
'이른바' is a related adverb meaning 'so-called'.
수확하기에 이른 감이 있어 조금 더 기다리기로 했다.
It felt a bit early to harvest, so we decided to wait longer.
-기로 하다 (decided to).
이른 나이에 부모를 여의고 홀로 자랐다.
He lost his parents at an early age and grew up alone.
Literary/biographical context.
낙관적인 전망을 하기에는 아직 이른 단계입니다.
It is still an early stage to make an optimistic forecast.
Abstract noun '단계' (stage) with '이른'.
이르면 내일 중으로 성명서가 발표될 것입니다.
As early as sometime tomorrow, a statement will be released.
High-level administrative language.
그의 이론은 당시에 받아들여지기에는 너무 일렀다.
His theory was too early to be accepted at that time.
Describing intellectual maturity of an era.
시기적으로 일러서 아직 준비가 덜 되었다.
It's early in terms of timing, so preparations are incomplete.
'시기적으로' (timing-wise) + '이르다'.
이른 아침의 정적을 깨는 새소리가 들렸다.
The sound of birds breaking the silence of the early morning was heard.
Descriptive literary style.
섣부른 판단은 이른 결론을 낳기 마련이다.
Hasty judgment is bound to produce a premature conclusion.
-기 마련이다 (bound to happen).
이른바 '4차 산업혁명'의 도래는 피할 수 없다.
The arrival of the so-called '4th Industrial Revolution' is unavoidable.
Using '이른바' in a formal discourse.
그는 이른 새벽부터 밤늦게까지 연구에 매진했다.
He devoted himself to research from early dawn until late at night.
Contrast between '이른' and '늦게'.
현시점에서 승패를 논하기에는 너무 이른 감이 없지 않다.
At this point, it wouldn't be wrong to say it's a bit early to discuss victory or defeat.
Double negative '없지 않다' for nuanced emphasis.
이르면 금번 분기 내에 흑자 전환이 가능할 것으로 보입니다.
It appears that turning a profit will be possible as early as within this quarter.
Corporate/Financial jargon.
그의 죽음은 한국 문단에 있어 너무나 이른 손실이었다.
His death was an all too premature loss for the Korean literary world.
Emotive formal eulogy style.
이른바 진보라 일컫는 세력들 사이에서도 의견이 갈린다.
Opinions are divided even among the so-called progressive forces.
Sophisticated political commentary.
시기상조라는 우려에도 불구하고 그는 이른 결단을 내렸다.
Despite concerns that it was premature, he made an early decision.
Contrastive structure with '불구하고'.
이른 봄의 전령사인 매화가 흐드러지게 피었다.
Plum blossoms, the messengers of early spring, bloomed profusely.
Poetic and metaphorical language.
성급하게 샴페인을 터뜨린 것이 이른 패배의 원인이 되었다.
Popping the champagne prematurely became the cause of an early defeat.
Complex causal relationship.
이르면 내후년쯤에나 완공될 것으로 추산된다.
It is estimated that it will be completed as early as the year after next.
Precise time estimation language.
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
— So-called; what is called. Used to introduce a term.
이른바 '천재'라고 불리는 아이.
— The earlier the better. Used to express urgency.
준비는 이르면 이를수록 좋아요.
— To have a feeling that it is a bit early/premature.
샴페인을 터뜨리기엔 이른 감이 있다.
— The time is early; it's not the right time yet.
아직은 때가 이릅니다.
— Within a short/early period; as soon as possible.
이른 시일 내에 다시 연락할게요.
— To be at a young/early age for something.
결혼하기엔 나이가 너무 일러요.
— Unseasonably early hot weather.
올해는 이른 더위가 찾아왔다.
— Lunch eaten earlier than the usual hour.
배가 고파서 이른 점심을 먹었다.
— Leaving work earlier than the standard time.
오늘은 이른 퇴근을 하고 싶다.
— Too early to think or worry about something.
미래를 걱정하기엔 일러요.
اغلب اشتباه گرفته میشود با
Conjugates to '일러요' but takes an object (e.g., 비밀을 일러요).
Means to arrive at a place or level (e.g., 정상에 이르다).
Means 'fast' in speed. '이르다' is strictly 'early' in time.
اصطلاحات و عبارات
— It is too early to do something; the time is not ripe.
해외 진출은 아직 시기상조다.
Formal— The sooner, the better.
예약은 이르면 이를수록 좋아요.
Neutral— To count one's chickens before they hatch (acting too early).
합격도 안 했는데 김칫국부터 마시지 마.
Informal— A hasty/premature judgment.
섣부른 판단은 일을 그르칠 수 있다.
Neutral— To celebrate too early.
경기가 안 끝났는데 샴페인을 너무 일찍 터뜨렸어.
Informal— Unseasonable; happening earlier than usual.
때 이른 장마가 시작되었다.
Neutral— From dawn till dusk (working very hard).
그는 이른 새벽부터 밤늦게까지 일했다.
Neutral— Thinking that is ahead of its time.
그의 아이디어는 너무 앞서 나가는 생각이었다.
Neutral— Early closing/deadline.
신청자가 많아 접수가 조기 마감되었습니다.
Formal— The so-called; as it is called.
이른바 'MZ세대'의 특징입니다.
Neutralبهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Both mean early.
'이르다' is an adjective (describes state), '일찍' is an adverb (describes action).
시간이 일러요 vs. 일찍 왔어요.
Time and speed are often related.
'빠르다' is speed (fast car) or a clock being ahead. '이르다' is timing.
차가 빨라요 vs. 시간이 일러요.
Both can mean doing something too soon.
'성급하다' implies impatience or being hasty/rash. '이르다' is just early.
성급한 결정 vs. 이른 결정.
Both refer to early stages.
'조기' is a noun/prefix used in formal terms. '이르다' is a general adjective.
조기 교육 vs. 이른 나이.
Both relate to doing things before a certain time.
'미리' means 'in advance' or 'ahead of time' as an adverb.
미리 준비해요.
الگوهای جملهسازی
시간이 일러요.
지금은 시간이 일러요.
이른 + [Noun]
이른 아침에 운동해요.
[Action] + -기에는 일러요.
포기하기에는 일러요.
이르면 [Time]에...
이르면 내일 만나요.
[Noun] + -이/가 이른 감이 있다.
결론이 이른 감이 있어요.
시기적으로 이르다.
아직은 시기적으로 이릅니다.
이른바 [Noun]...
이른바 천재라고 불려요.
[Action] + -기에는 너무 이른 감이 없지 않다.
축하하기에는 너무 이른 감이 없지 않다.
خانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
مرتبط
نحوه استفاده
Very high in daily life, weather, and business.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of 'E-REU-DA'. 'E' is for 'Early'. 'REU' sounds like 'Ready'. You are 'Ready' too 'Early'.
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a bird (the 'early bird') waking up when the sun ('i') is just rising over the horizon.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to use '일러요' and '이른' in three different sentences today: one about the time, one about your age, and one about a decision.
ریشه کلمه
The word '이르다' is a native Korean word (Pure Korean). It has existed in the language for centuries to denote temporal precedence.
معنای اصلی: To be ahead in time or sequence.
Koreanicبافت فرهنگی
No specific sensitivities, but using '이르다' to describe someone's age in a romantic context can imply they are 'too young/immature' for the speaker.
In English, 'early' is both an adjective and an adverb. In Korean, you must split them: '이르다' (adj) and '일찍' (adv).
تمرین در زندگی واقعی
موقعیتهای واقعی
Morning Routine
- 이른 아침에
- 일어나기엔 일러요
- 이른 새벽
- 너무 일찍 왔어
Work/Business
- 시기상조입니다
- 이르면 내일
- 결정하기엔 일러요
- 이른 시일 내에
Seasons/Weather
- 이른 봄
- 이른 더위
- 올해는 꽃이 일러요
- 때 이른 장마
Life Decisions
- 이른 나이에
- 결혼하기엔 일러요
- 은퇴하기엔 이른 나이
- 이른 성공
Motivation
- 포기하기엔 일러요
- 실망하기엔 일러요
- 축하하기엔 일러요
- 아직 일러!
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
"오늘 좀 일찍 일어나신 것 같은데, 시간이 너무 이르지 않아요?"
"올해는 벚꽃이 작년보다 좀 이른 것 같지 않아요?"
"이른 아침에 보통 뭐 하세요?"
"새로운 일을 시작하기에 지금이 이른 시기일까요?"
"포기하기엔 아직 이르다고 생각하는데, 어떻게 생각하세요?"
موضوعات نگارش
오늘 이른 아침에 일어나서 느꼈던 기분을 적어보세요.
내 인생에서 너무 이른 나이에 결정했던 일이 있다면 무엇인가요?
'포기하기에는 아직 이르다'라는 말을 들었을 때 어떤 생각이 드나요?
올해 계절의 변화가 평소보다 이른지 늦은지 관찰해서 적어보세요.
내가 생각하는 '이른 저녁'은 몇 시인가요? 그 이유를 설명해 보세요.
سوالات متداول
3 سوالThe main difference is their part of speech. '이르다' is an adjective (descriptive verb), while '일찍' is an adverb. You use '이르다' to say 'The time is early' (시간이 일러요) and '일찍' to say 'I woke up early' (일찍 일어났어요). You cannot use '이르다' to directly modify a verb like 'to wake up' without changing its form.
It follows the '르' irregular rule. When you add '-어요', the 'ㅡ' in '이르-' is dropped, and an extra 'ㄹ' is added to the first syllable '이'. So it becomes '일러' + '요' = '일러요'. This is the same rule for words like '빠르다' (빨라요) and '모르다' (몰라요).
Yes, '이르다' is a homonym. It has three main meanings: 1) to be early (adjective), 2) to tell/inform (verb), and 3) to reach/arrive (verb). You have to look at the context. If the sentence is about time or age, it means 'early'. If it involves a person being told something, it means 'to tell'.
Summary
The word 이르다 is your go-to adjective for describing things that happen ahead of schedule. Remember its irregular form '일러요' and use it to talk about early mornings, premature decisions, or the early arrival of spring. Example: '아직 포기하기에는 일러요!' (It’s too early to give up!)
- 이르다 is an adjective meaning 'to be early' in terms of time, age, or seasons.
- It is a '르' irregular word, so it conjugates to '일러요' (illeoyo) in the polite form.
- Commonly used in the pattern '-기에는 이르다' to mean 'it's too early to [do something].'
- It is distinct from '일찍' (adverb) and '빠르다' (fast/quick).
مثال
아직 가기에는 너무 일러요.
محتوای مرتبط
قواعد دستوری مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر general
몇몇
A2تعدادی; اندکی.
조금
A1من کمی کره ای بلدم. (한국어를 조금 알아요.)
적게
A1کم، به مقدار کم. برای توصیف کاری که به میزان محدودی انجام میشود استفاده میشود.
약간
A2کمی؛ اندکی. برای توصیف مقدار کم یا درجه ناچیز استفاده میشود.
많이
A1خیلی / زیاد. 'خیلی خوردم' (많이 먹었어요). 'خیلی دلم برات تنگ شده' (많이 보고 싶었어요).
잠시
A2برای یک لحظه؛ به طور خلاصه. 'لطفا یک لحظه صبر کنید.' (잠시만 기다려 주세요.) 'من کمی بعد برمی گردم.' (잠시 후에 돌아오겠습니다.)
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2کمی پیش، قبلا. من او را کمی پیش دیدم.
대해
A2به معنای 'درباره' یا 'در مورد'. برای معرفی موضوع یک گفتگو یا فکر استفاده میشود.
~에 대해서
A2درباره؛ در مورد.
