때 vs 동안: Subtle Differences in Time Expressions

때 (ttae) · 동안 (dong-an, dongan)

때 (ttae) refers to a specific moment or point in time, while 동안 (dongan) denotes an entire duration or period.

Comparison of Korean time expressions 때 and 동안

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

(ttae)

Refers to a specific moment or point in time, or the situation at that time

When to use

specific moment focus, conditional situation, past experience recall

The nuance

때 refers to a specific point or moment in time and is used to describe events or states occurring then. It is commonly used in the form ‘~할 때’ (when ~).

동안(dong-an, dongan)

Indicates an entire period or continuous duration of time

When to use

continuous period, ongoing action, emphasis on time span

The nuance

동안 denotes a whole period from start to finish and is used to express states or actions continuing throughout that time. It is typically used as ‘~하는 동안’ (during ~).

Real-world examples

  • 학교에 갈 때 비가 왔어요.

    hak-gyo-e gal ttae bi-ga wass-eo-yo., hak gyo e gal ttae bi ga wass eo yo.

    ‘때’ correctly indicates the specific moment of going to school.

  • 학교에 가는 동안 비가 왔어요.

    hak-gyo-e ga-neun dong-an bi-ga wass-eo-yo., hak gyo e ga neun dong an bi ga wass eo yo.

    ‘동안’ expresses that it rained during the entire time of going to school.

  • 어렸을 때 많이 놀았어요.

    eo-ryeoss-eul ttae man-i nol-ass-eo-yo., eo ryeoss eul ttae man i nol ass eo yo.

    ‘때’ suits recalling a specific past period (childhood).

  • 어렸을 동안 많이 놀았어요.

    eo-ryeoss-eul dong-an man-i nol-ass-eo-yo., eo ryeoss eul dong an man i nol ass eo yo.

    ‘동안’ emphasizes the whole childhood period during which playing occurred.

  • 잠자는 동안 전화가 왔어요.

    jam-ja-neun dong-an jeon-hwa-ga wass-eo-yo., jam ja neun dong an jeon hwa ga wass eo yo.

    ‘동안’ correctly indicates the entire sleeping period.

  • 잠잘 때 전화가 왔어요.

    jam-jal ttae jeon-hwa-ga wass-eo-yo., jam jal ttae jeon hwa ga wass eo yo.

    ‘때’ points to the specific moment of sleeping when the call came.

  • 회의하는 때 집중하세요.

    hoe-ui-ha-neun ttae jip-jung-ha-se-yo., hoe ui ha neun ttae jip jung ha se yo.

    The sentence requires ‘동안’ to express focusing throughout the meeting period.

  • 회의하는 동안 집중하세요.

    hoe-ui-ha-neun dong-an jip-jung-ha-se-yo., hoe ui ha neun dong an jip jung ha se yo.

    ‘동안’ correctly indicates focusing during the entire meeting.

Quick quiz

  1. Which between ‘때’ and ‘동안’ indicates a specific moment?

    ‘때’와 ‘동안’ 중 특정 순간을 나타내는 것은?(‘ttae’wa‘dong-an’jungteuk-jeongsun-gan-eulna-ta-nae-neungeos-eun?, ‘ttae’wa‘dongan’jungteukjeongsunganeulnatanaeneungeoseun?)
  2. When should you use ‘동안’?

    ‘동안’을 써야 하는 상황은?(‘dong-an’eulsseo-yaha-neunsang-hwang-eun?, ‘dongan’eulsseoyahaneunsanghwangeun?)
  3. Choose the correct word: ‘I read a book ___ eating lunch.’

    다음 문장에서 올바른 단어는? ‘저는 점심 먹는 ___ 책을 읽었어요.’(da-eummun-jang-e-seool-ba-reundan-eo-neun?‘jeo-neunjeom-simmeok-neun___chaek-eulik-eoss-eo-yo.’, daeummunjangeseoolbareundaneoneun?‘jeoneunjeomsimmeokneun___chaekeulikeosseoyo.’)

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