Attached to verb stems to indicate that the following action occurs immediately after the preceding one finishes, usually followed by declarative sentences.
Real-world examples
⭕
자, 시작해요!
ja, si-jak-hae-yo!, ja, si jak hae yo!
'자' is appropriate as an urge for immediate action in a suggestion sentence.
❌
자마자 시작해요!
ja-ma-ja si-jak-hae-yo!, ja ma ja si jak hae yo!
'자마자' indicates immediately after an action ends, so this structure is incorrect; '끝나자마자 시작해요' is correct.
⭕
밥을 먹자마자 이를 닦았다.
bap-eul meok-ja-ma-ja i-reul dakk-ass-da., bap eul meok ja ma ja i reul dakk ass da.
Appropriate to describe one action following immediately after another finishes.
❌
밥을 먹자 이를 닦았다.
bap-eul meok-ja i-reul dakk-ass-da., bap eul meok ja i reul dakk ass da.
'자' is for commands or proposals; temporal immediacy requires '자마자' here.
⭕
자, 모두 집중하세요.
ja, mo-du jip-jung-ha-se-yo., ja, mo du jip jung ha se yo.
'자' fits as a command or suggestion for immediate focus.
⭕
수업이 끝나자마자 도서관에 갔다.
su-eop-i kkeut-na-ja-ma-ja do-seo-gwan-e gass-da., su eop i kkeut na ja ma ja do seo gwan e gass da.
Correct for describing immediate action after class ends.
❌
자마자, 문을 닫았다.
ja-ma-ja, mun-eul dat-ass-da., ja ma ja, mun eul dat ass da.
'자마자' requires a preceding action and cannot stand alone.
⭕
자, 갑시다!
ja, gap-si-da!, ja, gap si da!
Appropriate for urging immediate departure.
Quick quiz
Which expression is appropriate to urge immediate action?
즉시 행동을 촉구할 때 알맞은 표현은?(jeuk-sihaeng-dong-eulchok-gu-halttaeal-maj-eunpyo-hyeon-eun?, jeuksihaengdongeulchokguhalttaealmajeunpyohyeoneun?)
Which expression indicates the next action immediately after the previous one?
앞 행동이 끝난 직후 다음 행동을 나타내는 표현은?(aphaeng-dong-ikkeut-nanjik-huda-eumhaeng-dong-eulna-ta-nae-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, aphaengdongikkeutnanjikhudaeumhaengdongeulnatanaeneunpyohyeoneun?)
What is the role of '자' in the sentence "자, 시작해요!"?