시간을 지키다.
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Be on time.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
This essential phrase means 'to be on time' or 'to keep an appointment' by respecting the agreed-upon clock.
- Means: Arriving exactly when you said you would or meeting a deadline.
- Used in: Business meetings, meeting friends, or submitting school assignments.
- Don't confuse: It's about the 'clock' (시간), not just 'keeping a promise' (약속).
Explanation at your level:
意思
To arrive or complete something at the appointed time.
文化背景
Arriving 5-10 minutes early is the standard for business. If you arrive exactly on time, you might be seen as 'barely making it.' Trainees are taught that punctuality is the first step to success. Being late to practice can result in penalties. Weddings are very punctual. The ceremony often lasts only 30 minutes, so if you are late, you might miss the whole thing! Koreans expect food to arrive within the estimated time. Apps even show the real-time location of the driver to ensure they '지키다' the time.
The 10-Minute Rule
In Korea, 'keeping the time' usually means being there 10 minutes early. If you arrive at 2:00 for a 2:00 meeting, you are technically 'on time' but culturally 'late.'
Don't Drop the Marker in Writing
While '시간 지켜' is fine for texting, always use '시간을 지키다' in essays or formal emails.
意思
To arrive or complete something at the appointed time.
The 10-Minute Rule
In Korea, 'keeping the time' usually means being there 10 minutes early. If you arrive at 2:00 for a 2:00 meeting, you are technically 'on time' but culturally 'late.'
Don't Drop the Marker in Writing
While '시간 지켜' is fine for texting, always use '시간을 지키다' in essays or formal emails.
Korean Time is Dead
Never use the excuse 'Korean Time' (코리안 타임) in a modern Korean office. It is considered an insult to their professional culture.
Use with '잘'
To say someone is 'very punctual,' always add '잘' (well): '시간을 잘 지켜요.'
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '지키다'.
내일 면접이 있으니까 꼭 시간을 ( ).
The sentence is a suggestion or instruction for a future event, so the polite imperative '-세요' is appropriate.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am always punctual'?
가장 자연스러운 문장을 고르세요.
'시간을 보다' means to look at the clock, and '시간을 가지다' means to have/take time.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 이렇게 늦었어? B: 미안해. 다음부터는 꼭 ( ).
B is apologizing for being late and promising to be on time in the future.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
A formal wedding invitation says: '오후 2시 ( )'
'시간 엄수' is the formal Sino-Korean term used in official documents and invitations.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Punctuality Across Cultures
常见问题
10 个问题Yes! It applies to both physical arrival and submitting work by a certain time.
Yes, it's very rude. It sounds like you are lecturing them. Instead, say '시간이 다 되었습니다' (Time is up).
The opposite is '시간을 어기다' (to break the time) or simply '늦다' (to be late).
In most contexts, yes. Here, you are 'protecting' the schedule from being ruined.
You wouldn't use '지키다' to apologize. You'd say '늦어서 죄송합니다.'
Rarely. It's mostly for signs, announcements, and formal documents.
You use the same verb '지키다,' but the noun changes to '비밀' (secret).
In Korea, even 1 minute is technically not '지키다'-ing the time, but people are usually forgiving for such a small delay.
Yes, '시간 칼이다' (to be like a knife with time) means someone is incredibly punctual.
Yes, it becomes '시간을 지켰어요.'
相关表达
약속을 지키다
similarTo keep a promise/appointment
시간을 어기다
contrastTo break the time (be late)
시간을 엄수하다
specialized formTo strictly adhere to time
제 시간에 오다
similarTo come on time
시간을 벌다
builds onTo buy time
在哪里用
Job Interview
Interviewer: 우리 회사는 {시간|時間}을 지키는 것을 아주 중요하게 생각합니다.
Candidate: 네, 저는 항상 10분 일찍 도착해서 {시간|時間}을 지킵니다.
Meeting a Friend
Friend A: 야, {시간|時間} 좀 지켜! 벌써 20분 지났어.
Friend B: 미안, 미안. 다음부터는 꼭 {시간|時間} 지킬게.
School Assignment
Teacher: 여러분, 과제 제출 {시간|時間}을 꼭 지키세요.
Student: 네, 선생님. 오늘 밤까지 꼭 제출하겠습니다.
Food Delivery
Customer: 여기 배달 {시간|時間}을 정말 잘 지키네요.
Owner: 감사합니다! 따뜻할 때 맛있게 드세요.
Doctor's Appointment
Nurse: 예약 {시간|時間}을 지켜 주셔서 감사합니다. 잠시만 대기해 주세요.
Patient: 네, 알겠습니다.
Dating
Person A: 첫 데이트인데 {시간|時間}을 지켜야지!
Person B: 긴장해서 일찍 나왔어. 벌써 도착했어.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Shield' (지키다) protecting your 'Clock' (시간). You are the guardian of the schedule!
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny soldier standing guard over a giant wristwatch, preventing the minute hand from being pushed back by a 'Lateness Monster.'
Rhyme
Sigan-eul jikyeo, don't be a kicker (of the habit)!
Story
Once, a king told his subjects that time was made of gold. He hired guards to '지키다' (protect) the gold. Now, we '지키다' our '시간' (time) because it's just as valuable as gold.
Word Web
挑战
Try to say '{시간|時間}을 지킵시다' to yourself every time you leave your house for an appointment today.
In Other Languages
時間を守る (Jikan o mamoru)
The usage is almost 1:1 identical.
守时 (Shǒushí)
Chinese uses a two-character compound, while Korean uses a noun + verb.
Ser puntual
Spanish focuses on the state of being, Korean focuses on the action of guarding.
Être à l'heure
French uses a prepositional phrase, Korean uses a direct object + verb.
Pünktlich sein
German lacks the 'protecting' verb metaphor.
الالتزام بالوقت (al-iltizam bialwaqt)
Arabic uses a noun 'commitment,' whereas Korean uses an active verb.
Ser pontual
No 'guarding' metaphor used.
To keep time / To be on time
English 'keep time' often refers to music/rhythm, while 'be on time' is for punctuality.
Easily Confused
Both use '시간을' but '보내다' means to spend time.
If you are doing an activity, use '보내다.' If you are looking at the clock to be on time, use '지키다.'
Learners think 'keeping' time means 'saving' time.
'아끼다' is for efficiency (saving money/time). '지키다' is for punctuality.
常见问题 (10)
Yes! It applies to both physical arrival and submitting work by a certain time.
Yes, it's very rude. It sounds like you are lecturing them. Instead, say '시간이 다 되었습니다' (Time is up).
The opposite is '시간을 어기다' (to break the time) or simply '늦다' (to be late).
In most contexts, yes. Here, you are 'protecting' the schedule from being ruined.
You wouldn't use '지키다' to apologize. You'd say '늦어서 죄송합니다.'
Rarely. It's mostly for signs, announcements, and formal documents.
You use the same verb '지키다,' but the noun changes to '비밀' (secret).
In Korea, even 1 minute is technically not '지키다'-ing the time, but people are usually forgiving for such a small delay.
Yes, '시간 칼이다' (to be like a knife with time) means someone is incredibly punctual.
Yes, it becomes '시간을 지켰어요.'
