아직 (a-jik, ajik) · 벌써 (beol-sseo, beolsseo) · 이제 (i-je, ije)
아직 (ajik), 벌써 (beolsseo), and 이제 (ije) all relate to time, but 아직 emphasizes ongoing state, 벌써 highlights earlier-than-expected completion, and 이제 stresses a changed current state.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates something is still ongoing or expected but not yet completed
When to use
ongoing state, negation for incompletion, questions about status
The nuance
Use 아직 when something is ongoing or not completed yet. It is mainly used in negative or interrogative sentences, rarely in affirmative ones.
Indicates something has happened earlier than expected or time has already passed
When to use
early completion, affirmative surprise, time elapsed emphasis
The nuance
Use 벌써 to emphasize earlier-than-expected completion or that time has passed. It is mainly used in affirmative sentences and conveys surprise or unexpectedness.
Indicates a change from the past to a new state starting now or from now on
When to use
state change, new beginning, both affirmative and negative
The nuance
Use 이제 to express a changed current state or a new beginning from now on. It can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences, emphasizing a turning point.
아직 숙제를 안 했어요.
a-jik suk-je-reul an haess-eo-yo., a jik suk je reul an haess eo yo.
아직 is appropriate in negative sentences to indicate incompletion.
아직 숙제를 벌써 했어요.
a-jik suk-je-reul beol-sseo haess-eo-yo., a jik suk je reul beol sseo haess eo yo.
Using 아직 and 벌써 together is contradictory; use 벌써 instead.
벌써 도착했어요?
beol-sseo do-chak-haess-eo-yo?, beol sseo do chak haess eo yo?
벌써 naturally asks about earlier-than-expected completion.
벌써 안 왔어요.
beol-sseo an wass-eo-yo., beol sseo an wass eo yo.
벌써 is mainly for affirmative sentences; using it in negatives is awkward.
이제 출발해요.
i-je chul-bal-hae-yo., i je chul bal hae yo.
이제 properly expresses a change starting now.
이제 숙제를 아직 했어요.
i-je suk-je-reul a-jik haess-eo-yo., i je suk je reul a jik haess eo yo.
이제 and 아직 contradict each other; do not use together.
아직도 그 영화를 못 봤어요?
a-jik-do geu yeong-hwa-reul mos bwass-eo-yo?, a jik do geu yeong hwa reul mos bwass eo yo?
아직도 emphasizes ongoing incompletion naturally.
벌써부터 걱정돼요.
beol-sseo-bu-teo geok-jeong-dwae-yo., beol sseo bu teo geok jeong dwae yo.
벌써부터 indicates an earlier-than-expected start of feelings appropriately.
Which sentence correctly uses 아직?
Which sentence fits 벌써?
When should you use 이제?
What does it mean?
