이미 (i-mi, imi) · 벌써 (beol-sseo, beolsseo)
Both 이미 and 벌써 indicate that something has already happened in the past, but 이미 focuses on the fact or state itself, while 벌써 emphasizes that the event occurred sooner than expected.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates that something has already been completed or a state has changed as a fact
When to use
fact confirmation, state change, result emphasis
The nuance
이미 is used to express that a fact or state has definitely been completed. It focuses on the result or state rather than the speed of occurrence.
Indicates that something has been completed sooner than expected
When to use
faster than expected, time emphasis, expressing surprise
The nuance
벌써 is used to emphasize that something happened or was completed faster than expected. The focus is on the quick timing.
그는 이미 집에 갔어요.
geu-neun i-mi jip-e gass-eo-yo., geu neun i mi jip e gass eo yo.
이미 appropriately indicates the fact that he has already gone home.
그는 벌써 집에 갔어요.
geu-neun beol-sseo jip-e gass-eo-yo., geu neun beol sseo jip e gass eo yo.
벌써 emphasizes that he went home sooner than expected, natural depending on context.
나는 이미 그 영화를 봤어.
na-neun i-mi geu yeong-hwa-reul bwass-eo., na neun i mi geu yeong hwa reul bwass eo.
이미 fits well when stating a fact or experience clearly.
나는 벌써 그 영화를 봤어.
na-neun beol-sseo geu yeong-hwa-reul bwass-eo., na neun beol sseo geu yeong hwa reul bwass eo.
벌써 naturally implies watching the movie earlier than expected.
그는 이미 도착했는데 왜 안 왔어요?
geu-neun i-mi do-chak-haess-neun-de wae an wass-eo-yo?, geu neun i mi do chak haess neun de wae an wass eo yo?
Emphasizing the fact that he has already arrived is appropriate here.
그는 벌써 도착했는데 왜 안 왔어요?
geu-neun beol-sseo do-chak-haess-neun-de wae an wass-eo-yo?, geu neun beol sseo do chak haess neun de wae an wass eo yo?
벌써 emphasizes early arrival, making the question natural.
벌써 비가 왔어요?
beol-sseo bi-ga wass-eo-yo?, beol sseo bi ga wass eo yo?
벌써 is used to express surprise at rain arriving sooner than expected.
이미 비가 왔어요?
i-mi bi-ga wass-eo-yo?, i mi bi ga wass eo yo?
이미 is for confirming facts, but sounds unnatural in a surprised question.
Which word is appropriate to emphasize something happening faster than expected?
Which word is used to express that a fact or state has definitely been completed?
In which situation is the sentence "He 벌써 left work" appropriate?
What does it mean?
