앞 (ap) · 뒤 (dwi)
앞 and 뒤 both indicate spatial positions, but 앞 refers to the front or forward side, while 뒤 refers to the back or rear side.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The front or forward side of an object or person, or the part positioned ahead from a reference point
When to use
Spatial front position, Temporal future or prior, Action precedence
The nuance
앞 is used to indicate the front or forward direction from a reference point. It can also denote future time or something occurring before another event.
The back or rear side of an object or person, or the part positioned behind from a reference point
When to use
Spatial rear position, Temporal past or subsequent, Action following
The nuance
뒤 is used to indicate the back or rear direction from a reference point. It can also denote past time or something occurring after another event.
학교 앞에 버스 정류장이 있어요.
hak-gyo ap-e beo-seu jeong-ryu-jang-i iss-eo-yo., hak gyo ap e beo seu jeong ryu jang i iss eo yo.
앞 correctly indicates a front spatial position here.
학교 뒤에 버스 정류장이 있어요.
hak-gyo dwi-e beo-seu jeong-ryu-jang-i iss-eo-yo., hak gyo dwi e beo seu jeong ryu jang i iss eo yo.
뒤 correctly indicates a rear spatial position here.
회의는 오후 3시 앞에 시작해요.
hoe-ui-neun o-hu 3si ap-e si-jak-hae-yo., hoe ui neun o hu 3si ap e si jak hae yo.
앞에 is used for future or prior time but '오후 3시 앞에' is unnatural; use '전에' instead.
회의는 오후 3시 뒤에 시작해요.
hoe-ui-neun o-hu 3si dwi-e si-jak-hae-yo., hoe ui neun o hu 3si dwi e si jak hae yo.
뒤에 can mean later but is less common in time expressions; prefer '후에' or '나중에'.
그는 나보다 앞에서 걷고 있어요.
geu-neun na-bo-da ap-e-seo geot-go iss-eo-yo., geu neun na bo da ap e seo geot go iss eo yo.
앞 appropriately indicates spatial front compared to the speaker.
그는 나보다 뒤에서 걷고 있어요.
geu-neun na-bo-da dwi-e-seo geot-go iss-eo-yo., geu neun na bo da dwi e seo geot go iss eo yo.
뒤 appropriately indicates spatial rear compared to the speaker.
내일 앞에 중요한 시험이 있어요.
nae-il ap-e jung-yo-han si-heom-i iss-eo-yo., nae il ap e jung yo han si heom i iss eo yo.
'앞에' is not used with specific dates like '내일'; use '전에' or '이후에'.
내일 뒤에 중요한 시험이 있어요.
nae-il dwi-e jung-yo-han si-heom-i iss-eo-yo., nae il dwi e jung yo han si heom i iss eo yo.
'뒤에' is less natural with '내일'; use '이후에' instead.
Which sentence correctly uses '앞' for spatial position?
Which sentence correctly uses '뒤' in a time expression?
Which sentence incorrectly uses '뒤' for spatial position?
