At the A1 level, you should understand '기간' as a word that means 'time' or 'how long.' You will mostly see it in simple contexts like 'vacation period' (방학 기간). Think of it as a way to group days together. For example, if your vacation is from Monday to Friday, that whole block is the '기간.' You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but you should recognize it on signs or in simple questions about how long something lasts. It's often used with '동안' (during), so '방학 기간 동안' means 'during the vacation period.' Just remember it refers to a span of time, not a specific hour like 3 o'clock.
At the A2 level, you start using '기간' to describe schedules and simple plans. You should be able to combine it with other nouns like '시험 기간' (exam period) or '여행 기간' (travel period). You will also learn the range markers '부터' (from) and '까지' (to) to define a '기간.' For example, '여행 기간은 1일부터 5일까지예요' (The travel period is from the 1st to the 5th). You should also be aware of '유효 기간' (expiration date/validity period) which you will see on food packaging or coupons. It's a useful word for basic daily organization and understanding simple announcements.
At the B1 level, you move into more official and professional uses of '기간.' You will use it to talk about contract terms (계약 기간), internship durations (인턴 기간), or the time needed for a project. You should understand the difference between '기간' (period) and '기한' (deadline). You will also encounter '일정 기간' (a certain period) in reading passages. At this level, you should be comfortable using '기간' as a subject or object in a sentence, such as '기간을 연장하다' (to extend the period) or '기간이 짧다' (the period is short). It becomes a key word for discussing logistics and formal arrangements.
At the B2 level, '기간' is used in more abstract and academic contexts. You will read about '역사적 기간' (historical periods) or '경제 성장 기간' (periods of economic growth). You should be able to use compound words like '장기간' (long-term) and '단기간' (short-term) fluently. You will also see it used in legal or medical contexts, such as '잠복 기간' (incubation period) or '공소 시효 기간' (statute of limitations period). You should understand the nuance of using '기간' to objectify time in a way that allows for analysis and comparison. Your ability to distinguish it from '시기' (timing/era) and '시절' (nostalgic days) should be sharp.
At the C1 level, you use '기간' with precision in professional, legal, and literary writing. You will encounter it in complex grammatical structures, such as '기간의 정함이 없는 계약' (a contract without a fixed term). You should understand how '기간' functions in formal logic and administrative law. You will also be able to discuss the 'reign periods' (재위 기간) of monarchs or the 'tenure' (임기) of high-ranking officials using this word. At this level, you are expected to use '기간' to frame sophisticated arguments about time management, historical trends, and systemic durations in society. You will also recognize it in high-level literature to describe the passing of time in a structured way.
At the C2 level, your mastery of '기간' includes its most subtle and philosophical applications. You can discuss the 'ontological period' of an existence or the 'temporal duration' in metaphysical debates. You understand the nuances of '기간' in ancient texts versus modern legal codes. You can use the word to describe the 'shelf life' of ideas or the 'lifespan' of civilizations in a highly academic manner. You are also aware of rare Hanja-based synonyms and how '기간' interacts with other complex temporal nouns to create very specific meanings in specialized fields like theoretical physics, advanced law, or classical literature. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.

기간 en 30 secondes

  • 기간 (gigan) means 'period' or 'duration' in Korean.
  • It refers to a specific span of time with a start and end.
  • Commonly used in formal contexts like 'exam period' or 'contract term'.
  • It is different from '시간' (general time) and '기한' (deadline).

The Korean word 기간 (gigan) is a fundamental noun that translates to 'period,' 'duration,' or 'term' in English. It is derived from the Hanja characters 期 (gi), meaning a set time or limit, and 間 (gan), meaning space or interval. Together, they describe a specific span of time with a defined beginning and end. Unlike the general word for time, 시간 (sigan), which can refer to the time of day or hours spent, 기간 specifically emphasizes the interval or the 'block' of time during which an event occurs or a condition persists.

Administrative Context
You will frequently encounter this word in official documents, contracts, and news reports. It refers to the 'validity period' of a passport, the 'term' of a contract, or the 'duration' of a government policy. For example, 유효 기간 (yuhyo gigan) means 'expiration date' or 'validity period.'

이번 행사의 기간은 일주일입니다. (The period for this event is one week.)

In daily life, Koreans use 기간 to discuss vacations, study periods, or the length of a project. It is a neutral word that fits both formal and informal settings, though in very casual speech, people might simply use 동안 (dongan), which means 'during' or 'for.' However, 기간 is necessary when you want to treat that time span as a formal object or a specific noun phrase.

Temporal Boundaries
The word implies a boundary. When you talk about a 기간, you are implicitly acknowledging that there is a start date and an end date. This makes it distinct from 'eternity' or 'indefinite time.' It is the quantifiable measure of how long something lasts.

준비 기간이 너무 짧았어요. (The preparation period was too short.)

Furthermore, 기간 is often paired with modifiers like 일정 (iljeong - certain/fixed), 장 (jang - long), or 단 (dan - short). This allows for expressions like 장기간 (jang-gigan) meaning 'a long period of time' and 단기간 (dan-gigan) meaning 'a short period of time.' These are high-frequency words in business and academic Korean.

Abstract Usage
While usually concrete, it can be used abstractly to refer to 'a phase' in one's life, such as a 'transition period' (과도기적 기간). It frames time as a segment of a larger timeline, providing structure to how we perceive history or personal growth.

수습 기간 동안은 월급이 적습니다. (During the probation period, the salary is low.)

방학 기간에 무엇을 할 거예요? (What will you do during the vacation period?)

Using 기간 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that can be modified by verbs, adjectives, or other nouns. Because it represents a span, it is frequently used with the particle ~동안 (during/for) or the range markers ~부터 ~까지 (from... to...). However, 기간 itself is the 'span' object. For example, you don't just say 'I studied for a period,' you say 'The study period was three months.'

Grammatical Pattern: Noun + 기간
The most common way to use it is by attaching it to another noun to specify what kind of period it is. Common pairings include 시험 기간 (exam period), 휴가 기간 (vacation period), and 공사 기간 (construction period).

시험 기간에는 도서관이 붐벼요. (During the exam period, the library is crowded.)

When you want to describe the length of the period, you use the verb 이다 (to be) or 되다 (to become/reach). For instance, 'The period is two weeks' would be 기간은 2주입니다. If you are extending a period, you use the verb 연장하다 (to extend).

Verbal Modifiers
You can use the attributive form of verbs to describe the period. For example, 일하는 기간 (the period during which one works) or 기다리는 기간 (the waiting period). This adds a layer of action to the static noun.

신청 기간이 이미 지났습니다. (The application period has already passed.)

Another important usage is with the word 일정 (iljeong). 일정 기간 means 'a certain period of time' or 'a set duration.' This is used when you aren't specifying the exact dates but referring to a required span of time, like 'You must wait for a certain period.'

Range Markers
When defining the period, use A부터 B까지. Example: 전시 기간은 5월 1일부터 5월 10일까지입니다 (The exhibition period is from May 1st to May 10th).

보증 기간이 얼마나 되나요? (How long is the warranty period?)

짧은 기간 내에 성과를 냈어요. (We achieved results within a short period.)

In South Korea, 기간 is ubiquitous in environments where time is managed, regulated, or sold. If you walk into a subway station, you might see posters about 공사 기간 (construction periods). If you open a banking app, you will see 예금 기간 (deposit periods) for savings accounts. It is the language of structure and planning.

In the Workplace
Office workers use this word constantly. Projects have 수행 기간 (execution periods), and employees have 휴가 기간 (vacation periods). When discussing deadlines, they might talk about 남은 기간 (the remaining period). It helps in quantifying the workload and timeline.

계약 기간을 1년 더 연장하기로 했습니다. (We decided to extend the contract period for one more year.)

In the education system, students are very sensitive to 수강 신청 기간 (course registration period) and 시험 기간 (exam period). These are high-stress 'blocks' of time that dictate their daily schedules. You'll hear students say, '나 지금 시험 기간이야' (I'm in my exam period right now), which is a common excuse for being busy.

Shopping and Services
Retailers use 기간 to drive sales. 세일 기간 (sale period) or 이벤트 기간 (event period) are phrases seen on every storefront. Similarly, the 유효 기간 (validity period) on coupons or gift icons is something every consumer checks regularly.

이 쿠폰은 유효 기간이 지났어요. (This coupon's validity period has passed.)

On television, especially in historical dramas (Sa-geuk), you might hear about the 재위 기간 (reign period) of a king. In modern news, you'll hear about the 임기 (term of office), which is a specific type of 기간 for elected officials. It is a word that provides the temporal framework for almost every organized human activity in Korea.

Legal and Formal Use
In legal settings, 기간 is used to define statutes of limitations or the time allowed for appeals. It is a precise term that carries significant weight in law.

숙려 기간을 가지는 것이 좋겠습니다. (It would be good to have a period of reflection/deliberation.)

훈련 기간은 총 4주입니다. (The training period is a total of four weeks.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 기간 (gigan) with 시간 (sigan). While both relate to time, they are not interchangeable. 시간 is 'time' as a general concept or 'hour' as a unit. 기간 is the 'span' or 'segment' of time. You cannot say 'I have no period' when you mean 'I have no time' (시간이 없어요 vs 기간이 없어요).

Confusion with '기한' (Gihan)
Another common pitfall is mixing up 기간 (period) with 기한 (deadline/time limit). 기간 is the whole block of time, whereas 기한 is the specific point in time by which something must be done. If you say 'The period is tomorrow,' it sounds like the event only lasts for tomorrow, whereas 'The deadline is tomorrow' (기한은 내일까지입니다) means you must finish by then.

Wrong: 숙제 기간이 내일이에요. (The homework period is tomorrow - implies you only do it tomorrow.)
Right: 숙제 기한이 내일이에요. (The homework deadline is tomorrow.)

Learners also often overuse 기간 in places where 동안 (during) is more natural. While '방학 기간 동안' is grammatically correct, it is often redundant. In natural conversation, '방학 동안' is preferred. Using 기간 makes you sound like you are reading from a manual or a formal report.

Particle Errors
Sometimes learners forget that 기간 is a noun and try to use it like an adverb. You must use particles. You can't say '기간 공부했어요' (Period studied). You must say '일정 기간 동안 공부했어요' (Studied for a certain period).

Mistake: 기간을 많이 걸렸어요. (Took a lot of period.)
Correct: 시간이 많이 걸렸어요. (Took a lot of time.)

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation. While it looks simple, ensure the 'gi' is a clear, unaspirated 'g' sound, and 'gan' has a clear 'a' sound. Mispronouncing it might lead to confusion with other 'gi-' words, though context usually saves the day.

Incorrect Pluralization
In English, we say 'periods of time.' In Korean, you rarely use the plural marker '들' with 기간 unless you are specifically emphasizing multiple distinct, separate spans. Usually, 기간 covers the plural concept on its own.

여러 기간에 걸쳐 실험을 했습니다. (Experiments were conducted over several periods.)

Korean has several words that overlap with 기간. Choosing the right one depends on the nuance of 'time' you want to convey. Understanding these subtle differences is key to reaching an advanced level of fluency.

기간 vs. 동안 (Dongan)
기간 is a formal noun meaning 'the period.' 동안 is more like 'during' or 'while.' You use 기간 to name the span, and 동안 to describe what happens within it.
Example: 방학 기간 (Vacation period) vs 방학 동안 (During vacation).
기간 vs. 시기 (Sigi)
시기 refers to a 'time,' 'season,' or 'opportunity.' It is more about the *timing* or a specific *point/era* in time rather than the *length* of the duration.
Example: 적절한 시기 (The right time/timing) vs 적절한 기간 (The right duration).

지금은 투자를 할 시기가 아닙니다. (Now is not the time to invest.)

기간 vs. 시절 (Sijeol)
시절 is used for nostalgic or long periods of life, like 'childhood days' or 'student days.' It is much more emotional and less clinical than 기간.
Example: 학생 시절 (Student days) vs 학생 기간 (Incorrect - sounds like a technical term for being a student).

어린 시절이 그리워요. (I miss my childhood days.)

기간 vs. 기한 (Gihan)
기한 is a 'deadline' or 'time limit.' While 기간 is the whole road, 기한 is the wall at the end of the road.
Example: 제출 기한 (Submission deadline) vs 제출 기간 (Submission period - the window of time when you can submit).

In summary, 기간 is your 'workhorse' word for any objective, measurable span of time. Whether you are talking about the length of a movie, the duration of a war, or the term of a lease, 기간 provides the structural clarity needed in the Korean language.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character 間 (gan) originally depicted the sun (日) shining through a gate (門), representing the space or interval between things. In '기간', it refers to the space between two points in time.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ki.ɡan/
US /ki.ɡɑn/
The stress is even across both syllables, as is typical in Korean.
Rime avec
시간 (sigan) 인간 (ingan) 공간 (gonggan) 중간 (junggan) 민간 (mingan) 순간 (sungan) 현간 (hyeongan) 야간 (yagan)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the first 'g' as a heavy English 'k' (it should be softer).
  • Making the 'n' at the end too soft or silent.
  • Stressing the first syllable too much.
  • Confusing the 'i' sound with 'ee' in 'feet' (it should be shorter).
  • Mixing up the 'a' sound with 'o' in 'got'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts as it often follows a noun.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of particles and common collocations.

Expression orale 3/5

Simple pronunciation but needs correct context.

Écoute 3/5

Common in news and announcements.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

시간 (time) 동안 (during) 날짜 (date) 시작 (start) 끝 (end)

Apprends ensuite

기한 (deadline) 시기 (timing) 시절 (days) 연장 (extension) 만료 (expiration)

Avancé

임기 (term of office) 회기 (session) 존속 (existence) 유예 (grace period)

Grammaire à connaître

~동안 (During/For)

방학 기간 동안 여행했어요.

~부터 ~까지 (From... To...)

기간은 1일부터 5일까지입니다.

~내에 (Within)

기간 내에 완료하세요.

Noun + 이다 (To be)

지금은 세일 기간입니다.

Adjective + Noun (Modifier)

짧은 기간 동안 힘들었어요.

Exemples par niveau

1

방학 기간이 길어요.

The vacation period is long.

기간 + 이 (subject particle)

2

여행 기간은 3일이에요.

The travel period is 3 days.

기간 + 은 (topic particle)

3

세일 기간이에요.

It is the sale period.

Noun + 기간 + 이다

4

공부 기간이 짧아요.

The study period is short.

기간 + 이 (subject particle)

5

이 기간에 만나요.

Let's meet during this period.

이 (this) + 기간 + 에 (time particle)

6

방학 기간 동안 뭐 해요?

What do you do during the vacation period?

기간 + 동안 (during)

7

행사 기간을 확인하세요.

Please check the event period.

기간 + 을 (object particle)

8

준비 기간이 필요해요.

I need a preparation period.

Noun + 기간

1

시험 기간이라서 바빠요.

I'm busy because it's the exam period.

Noun + 기간 + 이라서 (because it is)

2

유효 기간이 언제까지예요?

Until when is the validity period?

유효 (validity) + 기간

3

휴가 기간을 정했어요.

I decided on the vacation period.

기간 + 을 정하다 (to decide)

4

공사 기간이 연장되었어요.

The construction period has been extended.

연장되다 (to be extended)

5

일정 기간 기다려야 합니다.

You must wait for a certain period.

일정 (certain) + 기간

6

전시 기간은 다음 주까지입니다.

The exhibition period is until next week.

Noun + 까지 (until)

7

신청 기간이 이미 끝났어요.

The application period has already ended.

끝나다 (to end)

8

짧은 기간 동안 많이 배웠어요.

I learned a lot in a short period.

Adjective + 기간

1

계약 기간이 만료되었습니다.

The contract period has expired.

만료되다 (to expire)

2

수습 기간은 3개월입니다.

The probation period is three months.

수습 (probation) + 기간

3

보증 기간 내에 수리받으세요.

Please get it repaired within the warranty period.

내에 (within)

4

장기간 여행을 계획하고 있어요.

I am planning a long-term trip.

장기간 (long period)

5

단기간에 성적을 올리기 힘들어요.

It's hard to raise grades in a short period.

단기간 (short period)

6

숙려 기간을 가지기로 했습니다.

We decided to have a period of reflection.

숙려 (reflection/deliberation)

7

이용 기간이 제한되어 있습니다.

The usage period is limited.

제한되다 (to be limited)

8

훈련 기간 동안 외출이 금지됩니다.

Outings are prohibited during the training period.

금지되다 (to be prohibited)

1

과도기적 기간에는 혼란이 생길 수 있습니다.

Confusion can arise during a transitional period.

과도기적 (transitional)

2

임기 기간 동안 최선을 다하겠습니다.

I will do my best during my term of office.

임기 (term of office)

3

회복 기간이 생각보다 오래 걸리네요.

The recovery period is taking longer than expected.

생각보다 (than thought)

4

일정 기간의 유예를 요청했습니다.

I requested a grace period of a certain duration.

유예 (grace period/postponement)

5

역사적으로 이 기간은 매우 중요합니다.

Historically, this period is very important.

역사적으로 (historically)

6

잠복 기간이 지나야 증상이 나타납니다.

Symptoms appear only after the incubation period has passed.

잠복 (incubation)

7

체류 기간을 연장하기 위해 비자를 신청했어요.

I applied for a visa to extend my stay period.

체류 (stay/sojourn)

8

냉각 기간을 두는 것이 관계에 도움이 됩니다.

Having a cooling-off period helps the relationship.

냉각 (cooling)

1

해당 법안의 효력 발생 기간을 검토 중입니다.

We are reviewing the period for the bill's effectiveness to take place.

효력 발생 (taking effect)

2

공소 시효 기간이 만료되어 처벌이 불가능합니다.

Punishment is impossible because the statute of limitations has expired.

공소 시효 (statute of limitations)

3

왕의 재위 기간 동안 국가는 번영했습니다.

The nation prospered during the king's reign.

재위 (reign)

4

실험의 신뢰성을 위해 관찰 기간을 늘렸습니다.

The observation period was increased for the reliability of the experiment.

신뢰성 (reliability)

5

회계 기간 말에 결산을 진행합니다.

We perform the settlement at the end of the accounting period.

회계 (accounting)

6

변동 기간에는 투자에 주의가 필요합니다.

Caution is needed for investment during periods of volatility.

변동 (volatility/fluctuation)

7

수습 기간의 법적 보호 범위에 대해 논의했습니다.

We discussed the scope of legal protection during the probation period.

법적 보호 범위 (legal protection scope)

8

이 기간의 문학은 낭만주의적 경향이 강합니다.

Literature of this period has a strong romantic tendency.

낭만주의적 경향 (romantic tendency)

1

인류세라는 지질학적 기간에 대한 논의가 활발합니다.

Discussions about the geological period called the Anthropocene are active.

지질학적 (geological)

2

계약의 존속 기간은 당사자 간의 합의에 따릅니다.

The duration of the contract's existence depends on the agreement between the parties.

존속 (existence/continuance)

3

사회적 변혁의 기간은 고통을 수반하기 마련입니다.

Periods of social transformation are bound to involve pain.

~하기 마련이다 (bound to...)

4

해당 별의 주계열성 기간은 수십억 년에 달합니다.

The main sequence period of the star reaches billions of years.

주계열성 (main sequence)

5

권력의 공백 기간 동안 무정부 상태가 지속되었습니다.

Anarchy persisted during the power vacuum period.

권력의 공백 (power vacuum)

6

예술적 암흑 기간을 거쳐 르네상스가 도래했습니다.

The Renaissance arrived after passing through an artistic dark period.

도래하다 (to arrive/advent)

7

심리적 유예 기간은 자아 정체성 형성에 필수적입니다.

A psychological moratorium period is essential for identity formation.

심리적 유예 (psychological moratorium)

8

특허권의 보호 기간이 종료되어 기술이 공개되었습니다.

The protection period for the patent expired, and the technology was made public.

특허권 (patent right)

Antonymes

Collocations courantes

기간을 정하다
기간이 만료되다
일정 기간
장기간
단기간
유효 기간
시험 기간
계약 기간
준비 기간
보증 기간

Phrases Courantes

기간 내에

— Within the period. Used for deadlines or windows of opportunity.

기간 내에 신청하세요.

기간 동안

— During the period. Used to describe actions within a span.

방학 기간 동안 알바를 했어요.

기간이 지나다

— The period has passed. Used for expiration or missed windows.

신청 기간이 지났어요.

기간을 늘리다

— To lengthen the period. Used for extensions.

대여 기간을 늘려 주세요.

기간을 단축하다

— To shorten the period. Used for efficiency or early completion.

공사 기간을 단축했습니다.

특정 기간

— A specific period. Used to isolate a certain time frame.

특정 기간에만 판매합니다.

남은 기간

— The remaining period. Used to count down time.

남은 기간은 이틀입니다.

해당 기간

— The relevant period. Used in formal contexts to refer back to a time.

해당 기간의 데이터를 분석하세요.

전체 기간

— The entire period. Used for the total duration.

전체 기간은 한 달입니다.

최소 기간

— The minimum period. Used for requirements.

최소 기간은 1주일입니다.

Souvent confondu avec

기간 vs 시간

Sigan is general time or hours; Gigan is a specific span or period.

기간 vs 기한

Gihan is a deadline; Gigan is the duration leading up to it.

기간 vs 시기

Sigi is timing or a point in an era; Gigan is the length of that era.

Expressions idiomatiques

"기간이 약이다"

— Time is the medicine. Similar to 'time heals all wounds'.

슬프겠지만 기간이 약일 거야.

Informal
"눈 깜짝할 기간"

— A period as fast as a blink. Used for very short durations.

눈 깜짝할 기간에 다 팔렸어요.

Informal
"천 년의 기간"

— A period of a thousand years. Used to emphasize a very long time.

천 년의 기간이 흘러도 변하지 않아요.

Literary
"황금 기간"

— Golden period. The best or most productive time.

지금이 인생의 황금 기간이에요.

Neutral
"공백 기간"

— A blank period or a gap. Used for periods of inactivity.

취업 준비로 공백 기간이 생겼어요.

Neutral
"냉각 기간"

— Cooling-off period. Time taken to calm down after a conflict.

두 사람은 냉각 기간을 갖기로 했어요.

Neutral
"유예 기간"

— Grace period. Extra time given before a penalty or action.

세금 납부 유예 기간을 줬어요.

Formal
"과도기적 기간"

— Transitional period. A time of change between two states.

지금은 과도기적 기간이라 혼란스러워요.

Academic
"잠복 기간"

— Incubation period. Time before symptoms or effects appear.

바이러스의 잠복 기간은 2주입니다.

Medical
"수습 기간"

— Probation period. A trial period for a new job.

수습 기간이 끝나면 정직원이 돼요.

Business

Facile à confondre

기간 vs 기한

Both start with 'Gi' and relate to time.

Gigan is the 'road' (span), Gihan is the 'finish line' (deadline).

신청 기간은 일주일이고, 기한은 금요일입니다.

기간 vs 시기

Both refer to a 'time' for something.

Sigi is 'when' (timing), Gigan is 'how long' (duration).

지금은 공부할 시기이고, 기간은 한 달입니다.

기간 vs 동안

Both mean 'during' or 'for'.

Dongan is a particle-like noun; Gigan is a formal noun object.

방학 동안(O), 방학 기간(O), 방학 기간 동안(O).

기간 vs 시절

Both refer to a period of time.

Sijeol is nostalgic/personal; Gigan is objective/technical.

학창 시절(O), 학창 기간(X - sounds like a prison term).

기간 vs 시간

Basic words for time.

Sigan is 'time' as a resource or 'hour'; Gigan is a 'segment' of a calendar.

시간이 없어요(O), 기간이 없어요(X - usually).

Structures de phrases

A1

Noun + 기간이에요.

방학 기간이에요.

A2

Noun + 기간 동안 + Verb

시험 기간 동안 공부했어요.

B1

Noun + 기간이 + Adjective

계약 기간이 길어요.

B1

Noun + 기간을 + Verb

준비 기간을 가졌어요.

B2

일정 기간 + Verb

일정 기간 기다려야 해요.

B2

Noun + 기간 내에 + Verb

보증 기간 내에 수리하세요.

C1

Noun + 기간의 + Noun

수습 기간의 법적 보호.

C2

Noun + 기간에 + 달하다

재위 기간이 50년에 달해요.

Famille de mots

Noms

기간제 (fixed-term system)
기간망 (backbone network)
장기간 (long period)
단기간 (short period)

Verbes

기간을 두다 (to set a period)
기간을 정하다 (to fix a term)

Adjectifs

기간적인 (periodic - rare)

Apparenté

시간 (time)
시기 (timing)
시절 (days/era)
기한 (deadline)
동안 (during)

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both written and spoken Korean.

Erreurs courantes
  • 시간이 3일이에요. 기간이 3일이에요.

    When referring to a calendar span of 3 days, '기간' is more appropriate than '시간'.

  • 숙제 기간이 지났어요. 숙제 기한이 지났어요.

    If you missed the deadline, use '기한'. '기간' refers to the whole span.

  • 기간 공부했어요. 일정 기간 동안 공부했어요.

    You cannot use '기간' as an adverb. It needs a particle like '동안'.

  • 어린 기간에... 어린 시절에...

    For childhood or personal eras, '시절' is the natural choice.

  • 1시간 기간 1시간 동안

    For a single hour, '기간' is too heavy. Use '동안'.

Astuces

Noun Stacking

Korean often stacks nouns. '시험 기간' is just 'Exam' + 'Period'. You don't need a particle between them.

Hanja Roots

Learning 'Gi' (period) and 'Gan' (between) helps you understand words like 'Sigan' (time) and 'Gonggan' (space).

Official Documents

Always look for '기간' on forms to know how long a service or contract lasts.

Natural Flow

In casual chat, '방학 때' is more common than '방학 기간'.

Urgency

Retailers use '한정 기간' (limited period) to make you buy things quickly.

Formal Reports

Use '해당 기간' to refer back to a previously mentioned time span in your writing.

News Keywords

News often uses '장기간' when discussing strikes, weather, or economic trends.

The 'G' Rule

Gigan = Gap/Group of days. Sigan = Seconds/Specific hours.

Warranty

Check '무상 수리 기간' for free repair periods on electronics.

Visa

Your '체류 기간' is the most important number on your visa.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gi-gan' as 'Giga-span'. A 'Giga' amount of time in a 'span'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a calendar with a big bracket [ ] around a specific week. That bracketed area is the '기간'.

Word Web

Calendar Start Date End Date Duration Contract Vacation Exams Validity

Défi

Try to find three items in your kitchen with a '유효 기간' (expiration date) and say the dates in Korean.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Hanja characters 期 (기) and 間 (간).

Sens originel : 期 means 'a set time, a limit, or a promise.' 間 means 'between, space, or interval.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but ensure you don't confuse '기간' with '기한' in legal or professional settings, as it can lead to misunderstandings about deadlines.

In English, we often use 'for' or 'during' as prepositions. In Korean, '기간' is a noun that often requires a particle or another noun to function similarly.

The 'cooling-off period' (숙려 기간) is a famous legal requirement in Korea for couples filing for divorce. Limited-time offers in K-pop merchandise are often labeled '판매 기간' (Sales period). Historical eras in museums are categorized by '시대' but specific reigns are '재위 기간'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At School

  • 시험 기간
  • 방학 기간
  • 수강 신청 기간
  • 제출 기간

At Work

  • 계약 기간
  • 수습 기간
  • 휴가 기간
  • 프로젝트 기간

Shopping

  • 세일 기간
  • 이벤트 기간
  • 유효 기간
  • 교환 기간

Legal/Official

  • 보증 기간
  • 체류 기간
  • 임기 기간
  • 공소 시효 기간

Daily Life

  • 준비 기간
  • 기다리는 기간
  • 남은 기간
  • 일정 기간

Amorces de conversation

"이번 방학 기간에 여행 갈 계획 있어요?"

"시험 기간인데 공부 잘 돼가요?"

"이 쿠폰 유효 기간이 언제까지인지 알아요?"

"한국에 체류하는 기간이 얼마나 돼요?"

"계약 기간을 연장하고 싶은데 어떻게 해야 하나요?"

Sujets d'écriture

지난 휴가 기간 동안 가장 기억에 남는 일은 무엇인가요?

공부 기간을 효율적으로 관리하는 나만의 방법이 있나요?

인생에서 가장 행복했던 기간은 언제였나요?

단기간에 이루고 싶은 목표 세 가지를 써 보세요.

준비 기간이 부족해서 힘들었던 경험이 있나요?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

기간 is a noun meaning 'period,' while 동안 is a word meaning 'during' or 'for.' You can say '방학 기간' (vacation period) or '방학 동안' (during vacation). Using '방학 기간 동안' is also possible and means 'during the vacation period,' though it is more formal.

Usually, no. For hours or minutes, use '시간.' '기간' is typically used for days, weeks, months, or years, or for named periods like 'exam period.'

You use the phrase '유효 기간' (yuhyo gigan), which literally means 'validity period.' You will see this on food, medicine, and coupons.

It is neutral to formal. It is the standard word used in news, contracts, and textbooks. In very casual speech, people might just use '동안' or '때' (time/when).

장기간 (jang-gigan) means 'a long period of time.' The '장' comes from the Hanja for 'long' (長).

단기간 (dan-gigan) means 'a short period of time.' The '단' comes from the Hanja for 'short' (短).

You can ask '기간이 얼마나 돼요?' or '기간이 어떻게 돼요?'

No, for age or a period of life, use '시절' (e.g., 어린 시절) or just '때'.

It refers to the 'exam period' at schools or universities, usually a week or two when students focus entirely on tests.

Not always, but it usually does to specify what kind of period it is. However, you can say '일정 기간' (a certain period) or '그 기간' (that period).

Teste-toi 185 questions

writing

Write 'vacation period' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'exam period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The period is one week.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'During the sale period.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'validity period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'I extended the contract period.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'long period' as one word.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'short period' as one word.

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writing

Translate: 'Within the application period.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'construction period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The preparation period was short.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'warranty period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'A certain period of time.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'probation period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The period has passed.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'incubation period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'During the king's reign.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'cooling-off period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The remaining period is two days.'

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'term of office' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'The vacation period is long' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Check the validity period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'It's the exam period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I extended the period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Within the period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Short period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Long period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'The period has passed' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Contract period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Construction period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Preparation period' in Korean.

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speaking

Say 'Wait for a certain period' in Korean.

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speaking

Say 'Warranty period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Probation period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Stay period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Incubation period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Reflection period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Term of office' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Reign period' in Korean.

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Accounting period' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write the word: [Audio: 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 시험 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 유효 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 계약 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 장기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 단기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 공사 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 준비 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 보증 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 일정 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 수습 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 체류 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 잠복 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 임기 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and write: [Audio: 재위 기간]

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 185 correct

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