Explanation at your level:
이번주 means 'this week'. Use it when you want to talk about today or the next few days. It is very easy to use! Just put it at the start of your sentence. For example, 'This week, I study Korean.' It is a very important word for your daily life.
At the A2 level, you use 이번주 to make plans. You can say 'I am busy this week' or 'Let's meet this week'. It is a noun that tells us the time frame. Remember to use it with particles like '에' to be more specific about when things happen.
When you reach B1, you start using 이번주 in more complex sentences. You might contrast it with 'last week' (지난주) or 'next week' (다음주). It is perfect for describing your weekly schedule, work deadlines, or social commitments. It is a fundamental time-anchor in Korean conversation.
At the B2 level, you can use 이번주 to discuss nuances of time. You might use it in phrases like 'throughout this week' or 'by the end of this week'. It allows for more sophisticated planning and narrative structure in your speech and writing.
In advanced contexts, 이번주 serves as a reliable temporal marker in professional reports or formal correspondence. You might use it to frame project timelines or academic deadlines. Its simplicity provides a clean contrast to more abstract temporal concepts in Korean.
At the C2 level, you understand how 이번주 fits into the broader system of time-based nouns in Korean. You can manipulate it within complex clauses to express precise duration and frequency. It remains the most natural way to refer to the current seven-day cycle in any register.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'this week'.
- Used for scheduling.
- Very common in daily life.
- Easy to pronounce.
이번주 is a super useful word you will use every single day! It literally translates to 'this week' and helps you talk about your schedule, plans, or things that happened recently. Think of it as your anchor in time.
When you say 이번주, you are pointing to the current seven-day stretch. Whether you are making dinner plans or talking about a project at work, this word is your go-to. It is simple, clear, and essential for anyone learning Korean.
The word 이번주 is a compound formed from two distinct parts. '이' (i) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this', and '번' (beon) is a counter for occurrences or turns. Finally, '주' (ju) comes from the Sino-Korean character meaning 'week'.
Historically, the use of Sino-Korean characters for time units like 'week' became standard in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By combining these, the language created a very logical way to sequence time. It is fascinating how these simple building blocks create such a vital part of our daily vocabulary.
You will mostly see 이번주 used as a time marker at the beginning or middle of a sentence. It is very versatile and works in both casual chats with friends and formal business meetings.
Commonly, it is paired with particles like '에' (at/in) to say 'this week' as a time reference. For example, '이번주에 만나요' (Let's meet this week). It is neutral, polite, and universally understood across all levels of Korean proficiency.
While 이번주 is a direct noun, it appears in many set phrases. 1. 이번주 내내 (all through this week). 2. 이번주 말 (this weekend). 3. 이번주 초 (early this week). 4. 이번주 중 (during this week). 5. 이번주까지 (by this week).
These phrases help you specify exactly when something is happening. Using these makes your Korean sound much more natural and precise when discussing your calendar.
Pronunciation is straightforward: i-beon-ju. The 'i' sounds like the 'ee' in 'see', and the 'ju' is like the 'joo' in 'joey'. There are no complex plural forms; it is a singular time concept.
Grammatically, it acts as a noun but functions as an adverbial time phrase. You don't need to worry about articles like 'a' or 'the' because Korean doesn't use them. Just place it at the start of your sentence for clarity!
Fun Fact
The '주' character is derived from the Chinese character for week.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'j' as 'z'
- Merging syllables too fast
- Incorrect pitch
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Time Particles
이번주에
Noun Modifiers
이번 주
Time Sequence
지난주-이번주-다음주
Examples by Level
이번주에 공부해요.
This week, I study.
Time + particle.
이번주 좋아요.
This week is good.
Noun + adjective.
이번주에 만나요.
Let's meet this week.
Time + verb.
이번주에 일해요.
I work this week.
Time + verb.
이번주에 쉬어요.
I rest this week.
Time + verb.
이번주에 봐요.
See you this week.
Time + verb.
이번주에 비가 와요.
It rains this week.
Time + subject + verb.
이번주에 가요.
I go this week.
Time + verb.
이번주에 영화를 봐요.
이번주에 친구를 만날 거예요.
이번주에 바빠요.
이번주에 시간이 있어요.
이번주에 숙제가 많아요.
이번주에 여행을 가요.
이번주에 날씨가 좋아요.
이번주에 운동을 해요.
이번주 내내 비가 올 것 같아요.
이번주 초에 회의가 있습니다.
이번주 말에 서울에 갈 예정입니다.
이번주 중으로 연락을 드릴게요.
이번주까지 이 일을 끝내야 해요.
이번주에는 좀 여유가 있네요.
이번주 일정을 확인해 보세요.
이번주가 벌써 다 지나갔네요.
이번주 내내 프로젝트 마감 때문에 정신이 없네요.
이번주 초반에는 바쁘지만 후반에는 괜찮아요.
이번주 중으로 서류를 제출해 주시기 바랍니다.
이번주 말에는 가족들과 시간을 보낼 계획입니다.
이번주를 기점으로 업무 방식이 바뀔 겁니다.
이번주가 지나면 다음 달이 시작되네요.
이번주에 예정된 행사가 취소되었습니다.
이번주 내내 날씨가 맑아서 기분이 좋습니다.
이번주를 기점으로 새로운 프로젝트에 착수하게 됩니다.
이번주 내내 이어진 회의로 피로가 누적되었습니다.
이번주 중으로 모든 검토를 마치는 것이 목표입니다.
이번주 말에 있을 세미나 준비로 분주합니다.
이번주 초에 발표된 보고서가 매우 흥미롭습니다.
이번주가 가기 전에 이 문제를 해결해야 합니다.
이번주 내내 성과가 좋아서 다행입니다.
이번주를 마지막으로 인턴십이 종료됩니다.
이번주를 기점으로 하여 향후 계획을 재조정할 필요가 있습니다.
이번주 내내 지속된 폭우로 인해 행사가 연기되었습니다.
이번주 중으로 귀하의 의견을 수렴하여 반영하겠습니다.
이번주 말에는 그동안 미뤄왔던 독서에 전념하고자 합니다.
이번주 초에 논의된 안건은 차주 회의에서 다시 다룰 예정입니다.
이번주가 지나면 계절이 완연히 바뀔 것으로 보입니다.
이번주 내내 고심한 끝에 결정을 내렸습니다.
이번주를 끝으로 이번 학기의 모든 일정이 마무리됩니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"이번주가 다 가다"
The week is almost over.
벌써 이번주가 다 갔네요.
casual"이번주를 넘기다"
To pass the current week.
이 일은 이번주를 넘기면 안 돼요.
neutral"이번주를 기점으로"
Starting from this week.
이번주를 기점으로 시작합니다.
formal"이번주 내내"
Throughout the whole week.
이번주 내내 바빴어요.
neutral"이번주 중으로"
Sometime during this week.
이번주 중으로 처리할게요.
formal"이번주 말"
This weekend.
이번주 말에 뭐 해요?
casualEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
이주 means 2 weeks.
이주 동안 (for 2 weeks).
Includes '이번'.
This is specifically the weekend.
이번 주말에 놀아요.
Both relate to weeks.
Past vs Present.
지난주에 갔어요.
Both relate to weeks.
Future vs Present.
다음주에 봐요.
Sentence Patterns
이번주에 + [Verb]
이번주에 공부해요.
이번주에 + [Noun] + 있어요
이번주에 회의 있어요.
이번주 + [Noun] + [Particle]
이번주 계획이 뭐예요?
이번주까지 + [Verb]
이번주까지 끝내요.
이번주 내내 + [Verb]
이번주 내내 바빠요.
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
이주 can mean 'this week' but is often confused with 'two weeks' (이주).
While '이번 주에' is technically correct with a space, '이번주에' is often written together.
Using the wrong particle for time.
Mixing up time frames.
Missing conjunctions.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your current week's calendar.
Native Usage
Use it to start your sentences.
Cultural Insight
Koreans love planning, so use this word often!
Grammar Shortcut
Always add '에' for time.
Say It Right
Clear 'ju' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with '이주' (2 weeks).
Did You Know?
It's the most common time word.
Study Smart
Use it in your daily diary.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
E-beon-ju: E (This) + Beon (Turn) + Ju (Week).
Visual Association
A calendar with the current week circled in red.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you will do this week.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: This + occurrence + week
Cultural Context
None.
Directly equivalent to 'this week' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 이번주 회의
- 이번주 마감
- 이번주 일정
Social
- 이번주에 만나요
- 이번주 주말에 뭐 해요?
- 이번주에 영화 봐요
School
- 이번주 숙제
- 이번주 시험
- 이번주 수업
Travel
- 이번주 여행
- 이번주 예약
- 이번주 일정
Conversation Starters
"이번주에 뭐 할 거예요?"
"이번주에 바빠요?"
"이번주에 재미있는 일 있었어요?"
"이번주 날씨 어때요?"
"이번주에 어디 가요?"
Journal Prompts
이번주에 가장 좋았던 일은?
이번주에 꼭 해야 할 일은?
이번주에 배운 새로운 것은?
이번주를 한 단어로 표현하면?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral and used everywhere.
Yes, it refers to the current week including future days.
Use '지난주'.
Use '다음주'.
Often used with '에'.
Yes, '주' is Sino-Korean.
Yes, it is grammatically correct.
Yes, very common.
Test Yourself
___에 만나요.
This week is the correct time frame.
What does '이번주' mean?
It means this week.
'이번주' is a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
Meaning
Matching time nouns.
Subject-Time-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
이번주 is your essential tool for talking about the current week in Korean.
- Means 'this week'.
- Used for scheduling.
- Very common in daily life.
- Easy to pronounce.
Memory Palace
Visualize your current week's calendar.
Native Usage
Use it to start your sentences.
Cultural Insight
Koreans love planning, so use this word often!
Grammar Shortcut
Always add '에' for time.
Example
이번주에 시험이 있어요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More daily_life words
사고
A2An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.
주소
A1Address, the details of where a building is located.
오전
A1Morning, A.M.
약속
A1Appointment; Promise
사월
A1April; the fourth month of the year.
밤에
A2during the night; at night
다니다
A1To attend; to commute to.
팔월
A1August; the eighth month of the year.
나쁘게
A2Badly; in an unsatisfactory or improper way.
가방
A1Bag
