A2 Expression Formal

시간이 얼마나 남았어요?

Sigani eolmana namasseoyo?

How much time is left?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to ask how much time remains for an event, task, or waiting period.

  • Means: How much time is left?
  • Used in: Checking deadlines, waiting for food, or travel arrivals.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use '시간이 얼마나 있어요?' as it implies 'how much time do you have' (capacity).
Clock 🕒 + Question mark ❓ = Efficient time management ⏳

Explanation at your level:

This is a simple question. You use it to ask about time. '시간' means time. '남았어요' means left. Use it when you are waiting.
This phrase is essential for daily life. It combines the noun '시간' with the verb '남다' in the polite '어요' form. It helps you manage your schedule by asking for the remaining duration of an event.
At this level, you should understand that '남다' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to remain'. The phrase is highly versatile; you can attach '까지' to specify the event. It is a staple of communicative competence in Korean, allowing you to navigate social and professional deadlines effectively.
The phrase demonstrates the Korean tendency to use specific verb conjugations to describe states of existence. By using the past tense '남았어요', the speaker acknowledges the time that has already elapsed. It is a pragmatic expression used to reduce uncertainty in collaborative environments.
This expression exemplifies the intersection of temporal deixis and social politeness in Korean. The use of the honorific '어요' suffix marks a consultative register. It functions as a phatic device to synchronize expectations between interlocutors, reflecting the cultural emphasis on shared temporal awareness in high-context communication.
Syntactically, the phrase functions as an interrogative clause where the adverbial '얼마나' modifies the state of remaining time. The cognitive framing of 'time' as a quantifiable resource that 'remains' (남다) is a pervasive metaphor in Korean. Mastery involves adjusting the register—from the casual '남았어?' to the formal '남았습니까?'—to align with the social hierarchy and situational urgency.

Significado

Asking about the remaining duration of an event or task.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Punctuality is highly valued. Asking this is a sign of being proactive.

💡

Shorten it

Among friends, just say '얼마나 남았어?'

Significado

Asking about the remaining duration of an event or task.

💡

Shorten it

Among friends, just say '얼마나 남았어?'

Teste-se

Fill in the blank with the correct verb.

영화 시작까지 시간이 얼마나 _____?

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: 남았어요

We use '남다' (to remain) for time left.

🎉 Pontuação: /1

Recursos visuais

Perguntas frequentes

1 perguntas

No, use '돈이 얼마나 남았어요?'

Frases relacionadas

🔗

얼마나 걸려요?

similar

How long does it take?

Onde usar

🚌

Waiting for a bus

You: 버스 도착까지 시간이 얼마나 남았어요?

Stranger: 5분 정도 남았어요.

neutral
📝

During an exam

Student: 선생님, 시험 시간이 얼마나 남았어요?

Teacher: 10분 남았습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Nam' (man) who is 'left' (남았어요) behind because he didn't check the time.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant hourglass. The sand is almost gone. You point at it and ask, '시간이 얼마나 남았어요?'

Rhyme

Time is 'sigan', left is 'nam-a', ask '얼마나' to clear the drama.

Story

Min-su is at the airport. He is nervous. He looks at the big clock. He asks the staff, '시간이 얼마나 남았어요?' The staff smiles and says, 'Ten minutes.' Min-su runs to his gate.

Word Web

시간 (time)남다 (to remain)얼마나 (how much)기다리다 (to wait)마감 (deadline)도착 (arrival)

Desafio

For one day, whenever you are waiting for a bus, a friend, or a download, say the phrase out loud.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿Cuánto tiempo queda?

Korean requires a subject '시간' (time) more explicitly.

French high

Combien de temps reste-t-il?

French uses an impersonal structure.

German high

Wie viel Zeit bleibt noch?

German word order is more flexible.

Japanese moderate

あとどれくらいですか？

Korean uses a specific verb '남다'.

Arabic high

كم من الوقت تبقى؟

Arabic grammar is gendered.

Chinese moderate

还有多少时间？

Korean focuses on the state of 'remaining'.

Korean native

시간이 얼마나 남았어요?

None.

Portuguese moderate

Quanto tempo falta?

Korean uses 'remaining' instead of 'missing'.

Easily Confused

시간이 얼마나 남았어요? vs 시간이 얼마나 있어요?

Learners think it means 'how much time is left'.

It actually means 'how much free time do you have'.

Perguntas frequentes (1)

No, use '돈이 얼마나 남았어요?'

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