B1 Expressions & Patterns 13 min read Easy

Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다)

Use -ㄹ/을 때마다 to link a repeating trigger to a consistent result in any tense.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -ㄹ/을 때마다 after a verb to express that something happens every single time a specific action occurs.

  • Attach -을 때마다 to verb stems ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹을 때마다).
  • Attach -ㄹ 때마다 to verb stems ending in a vowel (e.g., 갈 때마다).
  • The tense is always determined by the final clause, not the -때마다 clause.
Verb Stem + (ㄹ/을) + 때마다

Overview

In Korean, to express the concept of 'whenever' or 'every time' a particular event or state occurs, you use the grammar pattern -ㄹ/을 때마다. This structure is fundamental for describing recurring habits, predictable reactions, or consistent phenomena. It serves as a linguistic tool to connect a specific, repeated trigger to an inevitable and consistent consequence.

The pattern is a compound structure derived from two distinct grammatical elements. First, -ㄹ/을 때 functions as a nominalized clause meaning 'when' or 'at the time of.' This form indicates a general time or condition without specifying a single instance. Second, the particle 마다 means 'every' or 'each,' denoting repetition or distribution.

When combined, -ㄹ/을 때마다 precisely articulates "every single time that [event/state] occurs."

Understanding -ㄹ/을 때마다 moves beyond simply stating a time. It highlights a causal or correlational regularity – that one action or state invariably follows another. It is distinct from merely using -ㄹ/을 때 (when), which can refer to a single past, present, or future occurrence.

The addition of 마다 specifically emphasizes the unfailing repetition of the linked events. Mastering this pattern allows you to articulate routines, emotional triggers, or systemic behaviors with greater precision and nuance in Korean.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, -ㄹ/을 때마다 operates by turning a verb or adjective into a nominalized time expression, which is then quantified by 마다. The initial clause, [Verb/Adjective stem] + -ㄹ/을 때, functions as a dependent noun clause that grammatically refers to "the time of [action/state]." The future-oriented adnominal ending -ㄹ/을 here does not strictly denote future tense. Instead, it acts as a modal marker of potentiality or generality, making the entire clause suitable for describing events that could happen or generally happen, thus allowing for repetition across various timeframes.
Consider 비가 오다 (to rain). When you apply the pattern, it becomes 비가 올 때마다 (whenever it rains). The (from 오다) does not signify "it will rain" in a singular future sense, but rather a general "time of raining." This generalization is crucial because it allows the phrase to encompass all instances of raining, past, present, and future, without needing to re-conjugate the initial clause for each specific tense.
The tenseless nature of the -ㄹ/을 때 clause is a key linguistic principle here. The actual tense, mood, and politeness level of the entire sentence are solely determined by the final verb or adjective in the main clause. For example, 피곤할 때마다 잠을 자요 (Whenever I'm tired, I sleep) uses 자요 (sleep, polite present tense).
If you want to express a past habit, you would say 피곤할 때마다 잠을 잤어요 (Whenever I was tired, I slept), where 잤어요 (slept, polite past tense) sets the overall timing.
This grammatical structure is remarkably efficient. It establishes a condition-consequence loop that applies universally across time for the specified trigger. You are essentially setting up a standing rule: "Every instance of [X] leads to [Y]." This reflects a systematic way of thinking about repeated actions and their outcomes, a pervasive aspect of human experience and communication.

Formation Pattern

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Forming -ㄹ/을 때마다 involves attaching the appropriate adnominal ending (-ㄹ or -을) to the verb or adjective stem, followed by 때마다. The choice between -ㄹ and -을 depends on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. Additionally, several irregular conjugations require specific transformations.
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Here's a detailed breakdown of the formation rules:
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| Stem Ending | Rule | Example Verb | Romanization | Translation | Example Adjective | Romanization | Translation |
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| :---------------- | :-------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------- | :------------------ | :--------------------------- | :---------------------------- | :------------------ | :-------------------------- |
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| Vowel | Attach -ㄹ 때마다 | 가다 (to go) → 갈 때마다 | gal ttaemada | Whenever one goes | 크다 (to be big) → 클 때마다 | keul ttaemada | Whenever it's big |
6
| Consonant | Attach -을 때마다 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 때마다 | meogeul ttaemada | Whenever one eats | 좋다 (to be good) → 좋을 때마다 | joeul ttaemada | Whenever it's good |
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| ending | Drop , then attach - 때마다 (already ends in ) | 만들다 (to make) → 만들 때마다 | mandeul ttaemada | Whenever one makes | 길다 (to be long) → 길 때마다 | gil ttaemada | Whenever it's long |
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| irregular | changes to , then attach -을 때마다 | 듣다 (to listen) → 들을 때마다 | deureul ttaemada | Whenever one listens | (N/A) | | |
9
| irregular | changes to , then attach -ㄹ 때마다 | 돕다 (to help) → 도울 때마다 | doult ttaemada | Whenever one helps | 춥다 (to be cold) → 추울 때마다 | chuul ttaemada | Whenever it's cold |
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| irregular | drops, vowel changes, attach -ㄹ 때마다 | (N/A) | | | 그렇다 (to be so) → 그럴 때마다 | geureol ttaemada | Whenever it's like that |
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Key Points for Irregulars:
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ending verbs/adjectives: These already end in in their stem. So, you don't add another -ㄹ (which would be redundant or incorrect). You simply attach 때마다 to the stem (e.g., 놀다놀 때마다).
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irregulars: Verbs like 듣다 (to listen) and 걷다 (to walk) have stems that change to when followed by a vowel. Here, the from -을 triggers the change: 듣다들- + -을 때마다들을 때마다.
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irregulars: Verbs/adjectives like 춥다 (to be cold) or 돕다 (to help) have stems that change to (or sometimes for 돕다 and 곱다) when followed by a vowel. For -ㄹ/을 때마다, the changes to , then -ㄹ 때마다 is attached: 춥다추우- + -ㄹ 때마다추울 때마다.
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irregulars: Adjectives like 그렇다 (to be so) or 빨갛다 (to be red) drop and the preceding vowel changes when followed by a vowel ending. For -ㄹ/을 때마다, the drops and the vowel changes, then -ㄹ 때마다 is attached: 그렇다그러- + -ㄹ 때마다그럴 때마다.
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Applying these rules ensures accurate and natural-sounding usage of the -ㄹ/을 때마다 pattern.

When To Use It

The grammar pattern -ㄹ/을 때마다 is deployed in situations demanding the expression of consistent repetition or predictable causality. It highlights a scenario where a particular condition or event reliably triggers a subsequent action, state, or feeling. This makes it invaluable for several contexts:
  1. 1Describing Habits and Routines: You use this pattern to articulate personal habits, daily routines, or established customs that occur with regularity. It signifies that an action is performed without fail whenever a specific circumstance arises.
  • 저는 아침에 일어날 때마다 커피를 마셔요. (Whenever I wake up in the morning, I drink coffee.) – This describes a consistent morning ritual.
  • 고향에 갈 때마다 부모님께 선물을 드려요. (Whenever I go to my hometown, I give presents to my parents.) – This indicates a recurring custom during visits.
  1. 1Expressing Recurring States or Feelings: This pattern is ideal for conveying emotional responses or mental states that are consistently triggered by certain events or conditions. It shows a predictable internal reaction.
  • 그 노래를 들을 때마다 옛날 추억이 떠올라요. (Whenever I hear that song, old memories come to mind.) – This describes a specific emotional trigger.
  • 시험 기간이 될 때마다 스트레스를 많이 받아요. (Whenever it becomes exam season, I get a lot of stress.) – This highlights a recurring stressful period.
  1. 1Indicating Predictable Events or Phenomena: You can use -ㄹ/을 때마다 to describe natural occurrences, technical behaviors, or other phenomena that reliably happen under certain conditions. This applies to both inanimate objects and general truths.
  • 비가 올 때마다 교통 체증이 심해져요. (Whenever it rains, traffic congestion gets severe.) – This details a predictable environmental consequence.
  • 이 앱을 실행할 때마다 오류가 발생해요. (Whenever I run this app, an error occurs.) – This points to a consistent software issue.
  1. 1Emphasizing Consistency and Regularity: The core strength of -ㄹ/을 때마다 lies in its emphasis on unfailing regularity. It conveys a stronger sense of predictability and certainty than simply using a 'when' clause. It implies that the connection between the two events is a reliable, established fact.
  • Consider the difference: 배고플 때 밥을 먹어요. (When I'm hungry, I eat.) – This could be a single instance or a general statement. Vs. 배고플 때마다 밥을 먹어요. (Whenever I'm hungry, I eat.) – This strongly emphasizes that eating always follows hunger.
Culturally, the frequent use of 마다 in Korean reflects a societal appreciation for routines and patterns, whether in personal life, community events, or natural cycles. It allows for concise communication of predictable order in the world.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when attempting to use -ㄹ/을 때마다. Understanding these common errors and their underlying grammatical reasons is crucial for achieving fluency and naturalness.
  1. 1Attaching 마다 directly to verbs: A very common mistake is to try and attach 마다 directly to a verb stem, similar to how it works with nouns (e.g., 날마다 - every day). This is grammatically incorrect. 마다 is a particle that quantifies nouns. Therefore, a verb or adjective must first be transformed into a nominalized form before 마다 can attach. The structure -ㄹ/을 때 serves precisely this function, converting the verb/adjective into a noun phrase meaning "the time of [action/state]."
Incorrect
Incorrect: 가마다 (go-every)
This is ungrammatical.
Correct: 갈 때마다 (whenever one goes)
The verb 가다 is nominalized as 갈 때 before 마다 is added.
  1. 1Attempting past tense in the initial clause: Another frequent error involves trying to conjugate the verb/adjective in the -ㄹ/을 때 clause into the past tense (e.g., 갔을 때마다). As discussed, the -ㄹ/을 ending here is a modal marker indicating generality or potentiality, not a strict future tense. The entire -ㄹ/을 때 construction is tenseless in this context; it refers to "the general time that an event occurs." The actual tense of the complete sentence is conveyed by the final verb or adjective of the main clause.
Incorrect: 어렸을 때마다 울었어요. (Whenever I was young, I cried.)
The 어렸을 attempts past tense, which is redundant and incorrect here. 어렸을 때 (when I was young) refers to a specific past period, not a repeated trigger.
Correct: 어릴 때마다 울었어요. (Whenever I was little, I cried.)
Here, 어릴 때 refers to the general state of 'being little' which recurred. Or, more naturally, if referring to past repetitive action during childhood: 어렸을 때, 슬플 때마다 울었어요. (When I was little, whenever I was sad, I cried.)
  1. 1Using -ㄹ/을 때마다 for a single occurrence: The inclusion of 마다 inherently implies repetition. Using this pattern for an event that happened only once, or will happen only once, is inappropriate and can sound unnatural or even humorous to a native speaker. For single occurrences, the simple -ㄹ/을 때 is sufficient.
Incorrect: 대학교를 졸업할 때마다 기뻤어요. (Whenever I graduated from university, I was happy.)
This implies multiple university graduations, which is unlikely for most people.
Correct: 대학교를 졸업했을 때 기뻤어요. (When I graduated from university, I was happy.)
This correctly refers to a singular past event.
  1. 1Omitting the space between and 마다: While 때마다 is sometimes seen written together, the standard and grammatically clear form is 때마다 with a space. This reinforces that is a noun being modified by 마다. In formal writing, always maintain the space. In casual digital communication, you might occasionally see them fused, but it's best to adhere to the standard.
By being mindful of these common errors, you can employ -ㄹ/을 때마다 with greater accuracy and confidence, leading to more natural and effective communication in Korean.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp the utility of -ㄹ/을 때마다, observe its application in various real-world conversational contexts. It is a versatile pattern that integrates seamlessly into both casual and formal discourse, expressing consistent patterns in daily life.

1. Casual Conversation (Friends Texting):

- Situation: Two friends, 민준 (Minjun) and 유진 (Yujin), are chatting about their routines.

- 민준: 요즘 드라마 뭐 봐? 맨날 밤새는 것 같던데. (Yojuem deurama mwo bwa? Maennal bamsaeneun geot gatdeonde. - What dramas are you watching these days? Seems like you're pulling all-nighters every day.)

- 유진: 아, 그거 얘기하지 마. 재미있는 드라마 볼 때마다 밤샘해. 다음 날 후회하는데 또 그래. (A, geugeo yaegihaji ma. Jaemiitneun deurama bol ttaemada bamsaemhae. Daeum nal huhoehande tto geurae. - Oh, don't even get me started on that. Whenever I watch an interesting drama, I pull an all-nighter. I regret it the next day, but I do it again.)

Here, 볼 때마다 (whenever I watch) succinctly captures Yujin's recurring habit despite her regrets.*

2. Polite Conversation (Work Meeting):

- Situation: A team leader, 김대리 (Assistant Manager Kim), is addressing a recurring issue.

- 김대리: 저희 고객들이 자주 문의하는 부분입니다. 시스템 오류가 발생할 때마다 담당 부서에 바로 연락 주세요. (Jeohui gogaekdeuri jaju munuihaneun bubunimnida. Siseutem oryuga balsaenghal ttaemada damdang buseoe baro yeollak juseyo. - This is a part our customers frequently inquire about. Whenever a system error occurs, please contact the responsible department immediately.)

발생할 때마다 (whenever it occurs) instructs a consistent protocol for a recurring problem in a polite, formal tone.*

3. Social Media Caption (Travel Photos):

- Situation: Someone posts photos from a trip, reflecting on their experience.

- Caption: 여행 갈 때마다 느끼는 건데, 집만큼 편한 곳은 없는 것 같아요. 그래도 다음 여행지는 어디로 갈까? (Yeohaeng gal ttaemada neukkineun geonde, jimmanakmyeon pyeonan goseun eomneun geot gatayo. Geuraedo daeum yeohaengjineun eodiro galkka? - Whenever I travel, I feel that there's no place as comfortable as home. Still, where should I go for my next trip?)

갈 때마다 느끼는 (feel whenever I go) expresses a consistent sentiment that arises with each travel experience, a common reflective thought.*

4. Everyday Scenario (Ordering Food):

- Situation: Two friends, 지훈 (Jihun) and 수미 (Sumi), are deciding what to eat.

- 지훈: 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹지? (Oneul jeonyeok mwo meokji? - What should we eat for dinner tonight?)

- 수미: 음... 매운 거 먹을 때마다 다음 날 속이 안 좋은데, 또 매운 떡볶이가 당기네. (Eum... Maeun geo meogeul ttaemada daeum nal sogi an joeunde, tto maeun tteokbokkiga danggine. - Hmm... Whenever I eat spicy food, my stomach feels bad the next day, but I'm craving spicy tteokbokki again.)

먹을 때마다 (whenever I eat) highlights Sumi's predictable physical reaction to spicy food, despite her desire for it.*

These examples demonstrate how -ㄹ/을 때마다 is naturally integrated into various conversational styles, reflecting habits, instructions, reflections, and personal experiences with consistent patterns.

Quick FAQ

Addressing common questions helps solidify your understanding of -ㄹ/을 때마다 and clarify its boundaries with other similar expressions.
  • Q1: Can I use 마다 directly with nouns?
  • A: Yes, absolutely. When 마다 attaches directly to a noun, it means 'every [noun]' or 'each [noun]'. This is distinct from -ㄹ/을 때마다, where is itself a noun modified by a verb/adjective clause.
  • 날마다 (nalmada) – every day
  • 주말마다 (jumalmada) – every weekend
  • 사람마다 (saram mada) – every person, each person
  • Q2: Does -ㄹ/을 때마다 work with adjectives?
  • A: Yes, it works perfectly with adjectives to express "whenever one is [adjective]." The formation rules are identical to those for verbs.
  • 피곤하다 (to be tired) → 피곤할 때마다 (pigonhal ttaemada) – Whenever I'm tired
  • 행복하다 (to be happy) → 행복할 때마다 (haengbokhal ttaemada) – Whenever I'm happy
  • Q3: Is -ㄹ/을 때마다 the same as 항상 (hangsang) meaning 'always'?
  • A: Not quite. While -ㄹ/을 때마다 implies a sense of 'always' within a specific condition, it is more precise. 항상 simply means 'always' without specifying a trigger. -ㄹ/을 때마다 highlights the specific circumstance or trigger that consistently leads to an outcome, essentially saying "whenever A happens, then B always follows."
  • 항상 피곤해요. (hangsang pigonhaeyo.) – I'm always tired. (General state)
  • 일을 할 때마다 피곤해요. (ireul hal ttaemada pigonhaeyo.) – Whenever I work, I'm tired. (Specific trigger for tiredness)
  • Q4: What's the difference between -ㄹ/을 때마다 and -(으)ㄹ 때면?
  • A: These two patterns are very close in meaning, both conveying 'whenever'. However, -(으)ㄹ 때면 often carries a slightly softer, more reflective, or even slightly conditional nuance. It can sometimes suggest a slight element of uncertainty or a more personal feeling associated with the recurring event.
  • 고향에 갈 때마다 엄마가 맛있는 음식을 해주세요. (gohyang-e gal ttaemada eommaga masinneun eumsigeul haejuseyo.) – Whenever I go to my hometown, Mom always makes delicious food. (Factual, definitive, consistent)
  • 고향에 갈 때면 엄마가 맛있는 음식을 해주셨던 기억이 나요. (gohyang-e gal ttaemyeon eommaga masinneun eumsigeul haejusyeotdeon gieogi nayo.) – Whenever I go to my hometown, memories of Mom making delicious food come to mind. (More reflective, perhaps less purely factual, sometimes more emotional or suggestive).
  • For strong, undeniable repetition, -ㄹ/을 때마다 is the more direct and common choice.
  • Q5: Can I use -ㄹ/을 때마다 for future plans or intentions?
  • A: Yes, but it implies a plan or intention that will be executed repeatedly in the future. It's not for a single future event.
  • 한국에 올 때마다 연락드릴게요. (Hangug-e ol ttaemada yeollakdeurilgeyo.) – Whenever I come to Korea, I will contact you. (Suggests multiple future trips to Korea).
  • It would be unnatural for a one-time event: 내일 회의에 참석할 때마다 서류를 가져갈 거예요. (Incorrect: This implies you will attend the meeting multiple times tomorrow.)
  • Q6: Are there any specific verbs that are commonly used with -ㄹ/을 때마다?
  • While it can be used with almost any verb or adjective, you'll frequently encounter it with verbs expressing common actions or states: 보다 (to see/watch), 듣다 (to hear/listen), 하다 (to do), 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), 먹다 (to eat), 생각하다 (to think), 느끼다 (to feel), 생기다 (to arise/occur), 발생하다 (to occur/happen).
This FAQ section should help clarify specific points and enable you to use -ㄹ/을 때마다 more confidently in diverse communicative situations.

Formation Table

Verb Type Stem Ending Suffix Example
Vowel
가다
-ㄹ 때마다
갈 때마다
Consonant
먹다
-을 때마다
먹을 때마다
ㄹ-irregular
만들다
- 때마다
만들 때마다
ㄷ-irregular
듣다
-을 때마다
들을 때마다

Meanings

This pattern indicates that an action or state repeats whenever the preceding condition is met.

1

Recurring Action

Used to describe a habit or recurring event.

“비가 올 때마다 우산을 써요.”

“그를 볼 때마다 행복해요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + ㄹ/을 때마다
갈 때마다
Negative
Verb + ㄹ/을 때마다 (안/못)
안 갈 때마다
Past Tense (Main)
Verb + ㄹ/을 때마다 + Past
갈 때마다 좋았다
Question
Verb + ㄹ/을 때마다 + Question?
갈 때마다 좋아요?
Noun Usage
Noun + 마다
시간마다

Formality Spectrum

Formal
당신을 볼 때마다 행복합니다.

당신을 볼 때마다 행복합니다. (Romantic)

Neutral
당신을 볼 때마다 행복해요.

당신을 볼 때마다 행복해요. (Romantic)

Informal
너를 볼 때마다 행복해.

너를 볼 때마다 행복해. (Romantic)

Slang
너 볼 때마다 기분 째져.

너 볼 때마다 기분 째져. (Romantic)

The 'Every Time' Flow

Trigger Event

Result

  • 행복해요 Happy
  • 긴장돼요 Nervous

Examples by Level

1

밥을 먹을 때마다 행복해요.

I am happy every time I eat.

2

학교에 갈 때마다 친구를 만나요.

I meet my friend every time I go to school.

3

영화를 볼 때마다 울어요.

I cry every time I watch a movie.

4

집에 올 때마다 쉬어요.

I rest every time I come home.

1

한국어를 공부할 때마다 재미있어요.

It is fun every time I study Korean.

2

운동할 때마다 물을 마셔요.

I drink water every time I exercise.

3

노래를 들을 때마다 기분이 좋아요.

I feel good every time I listen to music.

4

그를 만날 때마다 긴장돼요.

I get nervous every time I meet him.

1

비가 올 때마다 옛날 생각이 나요.

Every time it rains, I think of the past.

2

회의를 할 때마다 의견이 달라요.

Every time we have a meeting, the opinions are different.

3

이 앱을 열 때마다 오류가 생겨요.

Every time I open this app, an error occurs.

4

여행을 갈 때마다 사진을 많이 찍어요.

Every time I go on a trip, I take many photos.

1

그는 실패할 때마다 다시 도전했어요.

Every time he failed, he challenged himself again.

2

계절이 바뀔 때마다 옷을 정리해요.

Every time the season changes, I organize my clothes.

3

뉴스를 볼 때마다 마음이 아파요.

Every time I watch the news, my heart aches.

4

문제를 해결할 때마다 성취감을 느껴요.

Every time I solve a problem, I feel a sense of achievement.

1

그녀는 무대에 설 때마다 긴장감을 즐기는 듯했다.

Every time she stood on stage, she seemed to enjoy the tension.

2

이 도시를 방문할 때마다 새로운 매력을 발견한다.

Every time I visit this city, I discover a new charm.

3

그는 화가 날 때마다 침묵을 지키는 습관이 있다.

Every time he gets angry, he has a habit of keeping silent.

4

역사를 공부할 때마다 인간의 본성을 고민하게 된다.

Every time I study history, I find myself pondering human nature.

1

그는 고향을 떠올릴 때마다 짙은 향수에 젖곤 했다.

Every time he thought of his hometown, he would be immersed in deep nostalgia.

2

관습을 타파할 때마다 사회적 저항에 부딪히기 마련이다.

Every time one breaks a custom, one is bound to face social resistance.

3

진실을 마주할 때마다 우리는 비로소 성장한다.

Every time we face the truth, we finally grow.

4

그는 원칙을 고수할 때마다 주변의 비난을 감수해야 했다.

Every time he stuck to his principles, he had to endure criticism from those around him.

Easily Confused

Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다) vs -면

Both can mean 'when'.

Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다) vs -ㄹ/을 때

Similar structure.

Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다) vs Noun + 마다

Both use '마다'.

Common Mistakes

먹었을 때마다

먹을 때마다

Do not use past tense in the first clause.

가다 때마다

갈 때마다

Must use the modifier form -ㄹ/을.

공부할 때마다 해요

공부할 때마다 (result)

It's a connector, not a standalone sentence.

시간마다

시간마다 (this is okay, but check verb usage)

Don't mix noun-마다 with verb-때마다.

보고 때마다

볼 때마다

Incorrect stem modification.

만나 때마다

만날 때마다

Missing the modifier.

자을 때마다

잘 때마다

Vowel/consonant rule error.

비가 올 때마다 우산을 썼어요

비가 올 때마다 우산을 써요

Tense consistency.

그가 올 때마다 나는 기쁘다

그가 올 때마다 기쁘다

Subject repetition is often unnecessary.

먹을 때마다 배가 아팠다

먹을 때마다 배가 아프다

Habitual state.

그것을 할 때마다 항상 후회한다

그것을 할 때마다 후회한다

Redundancy of '항상' with '마다'.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___할 때마다 ___해요.

___할 때마다 기분이 ___.

___할 때마다 ___이/가 생각나요.

___할 때마다 ___을/를 확인하는 습관이 있어요.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

집에 올 때마다 연락해!

Social Media common

사진을 올릴 때마다 좋아요가 많아요.

Job Interview occasional

문제를 해결할 때마다 보람을 느낍니다.

Travel common

공항에 갈 때마다 설레요.

Food Delivery common

주문할 때마다 쿠폰을 써요.

Tech Support common

로그인할 때마다 오류가 발생합니다.

💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the tense. Just use the base stem.
⚠️

Don't conjugate

Never add past tense markers inside the -때마다 clause.
🎯

Use with nouns

Remember you can use '마다' with nouns too!
💬

Natural flow

This is very common in daily speech, so practice it aloud.

Smart Tips

Use -ㄹ/을 때마다 to make your routine sound more natural.

저는 운동해요. 그리고 물을 마셔요. 저는 운동할 때마다 물을 마셔요.

Use it to highlight the frequency of the issue.

앱이 오류가 있어요. 앱을 열 때마다 오류가 있어요.

Connect the trigger to your feeling.

그를 봐요. 행복해요. 그를 볼 때마다 행복해요.

Use it to describe your travel rituals.

여행을 가요. 사진을 찍어요. 여행을 갈 때마다 사진을 찍어요.

Pronunciation

tte-ma-da

Linking

The 'ㄹ' in '때마다' is pronounced clearly.

Rising

갈 때마다↗?

Questioning frequency

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '때' as 'time' and '마다' as 'every'. Every time you see '때마다', think of a clock ticking every second.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in front of a door. Every time they open it (Verb + ㄹ/을 때마다), a confetti cannon goes off.

Rhyme

When you do it, add -ㄹ/을 때마다, it happens again, just like a saga.

Story

Min-su loves coffee. Every time he studies (공부할 때마다), he drinks coffee. Every time he drinks coffee (마실 때마다), he feels awake. Every time he feels awake (느낄 때마다), he studies more.

Word Web

마다반복습관시간경우

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your daily habits using -ㄹ/을 때마다 in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Koreans use this to emphasize their dedication to habits.

Derived from '때' (time) and '마다' (every).

Conversation Starters

무엇을 할 때마다 행복하세요?

한국어를 공부할 때마다 어려운 점이 있나요?

여행을 갈 때마다 꼭 하는 일이 있나요?

스트레스를 받을 때마다 어떻게 하세요?

Journal Prompts

Write about your morning routine.
Describe a recurring problem you face.
What do you do when you feel sad?
Reflect on your language learning journey.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

저는 운동___ 때마다 물을 마셔요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Vowel stem + ㄹ.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

비가 ___ 때마다 우산을 써요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Vowel stem + ㄹ.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

먹었을 때마다 배가 아파요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹을 때마다
No past tense in the first clause.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그를 볼 때마다 행복해요
Standard word order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

Every time I study, I am happy.

Answer starts with: 공부할...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부할 때마다 행복해요
Correct grammar and tense.
Match the verb to the form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈 때마다
Vowel stem.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '읽다' and '졸리다'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽을 때마다 졸려요
Correct conjugation.
Choose the correct usage. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈 때마다
Correct vowel stem rule.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

저는 운동___ 때마다 물을 마셔요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Vowel stem + ㄹ.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

비가 ___ 때마다 우산을 써요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Vowel stem + ㄹ.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

먹었을 때마다 배가 아파요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹을 때마다
No past tense in the first clause.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

때마다 / 행복해요 / 볼 / 그를

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그를 볼 때마다 행복해요
Standard word order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

Every time I study, I am happy.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부할 때마다 행복해요
Correct grammar and tense.
Match the verb to the form. Match Pairs

가다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈 때마다
Vowel stem.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '읽다' and '졸리다'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽을 때마다 졸려요
Correct conjugation.
Choose the correct usage. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈 때마다
Correct vowel stem rule.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to say 'Whenever I listen to music, I feel good.' Sentence Reorder

좋아져요 / 때마다 / 음악을 /들을 / 기분이

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 음악을 들을 때마다 기분이 좋아져요.
Translate 'Whenever it is cold, I wear a scarf.' Translation

Whenever it is cold, I wear a scarf.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 추울 때마다 목도리를 해요.
Fill in the blank: 'Whenever I drink coffee...' Fill in the Blank

커피를 _______ 잠이 안 와요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 마실 때마다
Match the verb to its 'whenever' form. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가다:갈 때마다, 듣다:들을 때마다, 만들다:만들 때마다, 좁다:좁을 때마다
Correct the past tense usage: 'I cried whenever I watched that movie.' Error Correction

그 영화를 봤을 때마다 울었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그 영화를 볼 때마다 울었어요.
Which is correct for 'Whenever I have money'? Multiple Choice

돈이 _______ 쇼핑을 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 있을 때마다
Fill in the blank: 'Whenever I play games...' Fill in the Blank

게임을 _______ 시간 가는 줄 몰라요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 할 때마다
Reorder: 'Whenever I exercise, I drink water.' Sentence Reorder

물을 / 마셔요 / 때마다 / 운동할

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 운동할 때마다 물을 마셔요.
Translate: 'Whenever I cook, it's delicious.' Translation

Whenever I cook, it's delicious.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 요리할 때마다 맛있어요.
Identify the natural response to 'Why are you so tired?' Multiple Choice

왜 그렇게 피곤해요?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 시험 공부를 할 때마다 잠을 못 자요.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, the tense is marked at the end of the sentence.

It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Just add '때마다' (e.g., 만들 때마다).

-면 is conditional; -때마다 is iterative.

It is primarily used with verbs.

Yes, it is very common in all forms of writing.

Use '마다' for nouns, '때마다' for verbs.

It requires understanding of clause connection.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Cada vez que + verb

Spanish uses a specific phrase; Korean uses a suffix.

French high

Chaque fois que

Word order is different.

German high

Jedes Mal, wenn

German uses a conjunction.

Japanese high

~たびに

Japanese uses 'tabi ni'.

Arabic moderate

كلما

Arabic uses a particle at the start.

Chinese moderate

每次...都...

Chinese uses a specific adverbial phrase.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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