먼저 (meon-jeo, meonjeo) · 일찍 (il-jjik, iljjik)
먼저 emphasizes order or priority, while 일찍 highlights being earlier in time than others.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adverb indicating order or priority
When to use
Emphasizing order, Expressing priority, Guiding procedure
The nuance
Used when an action or event occurs before or takes priority over another. Focuses on order, procedure, or priority rather than strictly on time.
An adverb indicating an earlier time than usual or others
When to use
Temporal precedence, Daily time expression, Time appointments
The nuance
Used to indicate being earlier in time than usual or others. Focuses on temporal precedence rather than order.
먼저 식사를 하세요.
meon-jeo sik-sa-reul ha-se-yo., meon jeo sik sa reul ha se yo.
'먼저' correctly indicates priority/order to eat first.
일찍 식사를 하세요.
il-jjik sik-sa-reul ha-se-yo., il jjik sik sa reul ha se yo.
'일찍' correctly means eat earlier than usual.
먼저 학교에 도착했어요.
meon-jeo hak-gyo-e do-chak-haess-eo-yo., meon jeo hak gyo e do chak haess eo yo.
'먼저' emphasizes arriving before others in order.
일찍 학교에 도착했어요.
il-jjik hak-gyo-e do-chak-haess-eo-yo., il jjik hak gyo e do chak haess eo yo.
'일찍' stresses arriving earlier in time than others.
일찍 발표를 시작하세요.
il-jjik bal-pyo-reul si-jak-ha-se-yo., il jjik bal pyo reul si jak ha se yo.
'발표 시작' focuses on order, so '먼저' is more natural than '일찍'.
먼저 출근했어요.
meon-jeo chul-geun-haess-eo-yo., meon jeo chul geun haess eo yo.
'먼저' properly indicates arriving at work before others.
일찍 출근했어요.
il-jjik chul-geun-haess-eo-yo., il jjik chul geun haess eo yo.
'일찍' correctly means arriving at work earlier in time.
먼저 일찍 일어났어요.
meon-jeo il-jjik il-eo-nass-eo-yo., meon jeo il jjik il eo nass eo yo.
'먼저' and '일찍' together are redundant and unnatural.
Which word is appropriate to emphasize 'order'?
Which word fits expressing 'earlier in time than others'?
Fill in: "___ 도착했어요." (arrived before others)
Fill in: "회의를 ___ 시작하세요." (start earlier in time)
