Meaning
Expressing that time is passing very quickly, often with a sense of wonder or regret.
Cultural Background
The 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture makes Koreans very sensitive to time. Saying time is fast is often a way to bond over the shared stress or excitement of a fast-paced life. Similar to Korea, the concept of 'Mono no aware' (the pathos of things) is often evoked when talking about the fleeting nature of time, especially during cherry blossom season. In the US, 'Time flies when you're having fun' is the full idiom. Americans often use it to justify why they haven't finished a task or why a social event was successful. While Italy is known for 'Dolce far niente' (the sweetness of doing nothing), modern urban Italians use similar expressions to lament the loss of that slow lifestyle.
Use '벌써'
Always pair this phrase with '벌써' (already) to sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Avoid '많이'
Don't say '시간이 많이 빨라요'. It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation.
Meaning
Expressing that time is passing very quickly, often with a sense of wonder or regret.
Use '벌써'
Always pair this phrase with '벌써' (already) to sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Avoid '많이'
Don't say '시간이 많이 빨라요'. It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation.
The Compliment
Saying this at the end of a meeting is a polite way to say you enjoyed the person's company.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'fast'.
벌써 12시예요? 시간이 너무 ( ).
When time passes quickly, we use '빨라요'.
Choose the most natural response for B.
A: 오늘 우리 정말 재미있게 놀았죠? B: 네, ( ). 벌써 집에 갈 시간이에요.
B is expressing regret that the fun time ended quickly.
In which situation would you NOT say '시간이 너무 빨라요'?
다음 중 이 표현을 쓰기에 적절하지 않은 상황은?
If a clock is ahead, you say '시계가 빨라요', not '시간이 빨라요'.
Match the register with the correct phrase.
Match the following:
These are all correct matches for the respective registers.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises벌써 12시예요? 시간이 너무 ( ).
When time passes quickly, we use '빨라요'.
A: 오늘 우리 정말 재미있게 놀았죠? B: 네, ( ). 벌써 집에 갈 시간이에요.
B is expressing regret that the fun time ended quickly.
다음 중 이 표현을 쓰기에 적절하지 않은 상황은?
If a clock is ahead, you say '시계가 빨라요', not '시간이 빨라요'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all correct matches for the respective registers.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for a car you just say '차가 빨라요'. '시간이 빨라요' is only for time.
Historically yes, but in modern Korean, it's used just like 'very' for both good and bad things.
'시간' is general time/hours. '세월' is long periods like years or a lifetime.
Just say '시간 진짜 빠르다!'
Yes! That means 'Time goes fast' and is equally common.
Yes, it's a very safe and common thing to say in an office.
It's an '르' irregular verb. The 'ㅡ' drops and 'ㄹ' is added.
Yes, like 'My vacation is ending, time is too fast.'
'시간이 너무 안 가요' (Time isn't going/passing).
With '-요' it is polite/neutral. Without it, it's casual.
Related Phrases
시간 가는 줄 모르다
similarTo not know time is passing
쏜살같다
specialized formLike an arrow
시간을 벌다
builds onTo buy time
세월이 약이다
contrastTime is medicine
