방금 (bang-geum, banggeum) · 막 (mak)
Both 방금 and 막 indicate recent actions, but 방금 refers to the immediate past, while 막 emphasizes actions just completed or about to happen.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates an action that happened just a moment ago
When to use
immediate past, just finished action, immediate reporting
The nuance
방금 is used to express an action that happened very recently from the speaker's current time, emphasizing a very short time interval.
Indicates an action that has just been completed or is about to start
When to use
just finished action, just starting action, imminent action
The nuance
막 is used for actions that have just finished or are about to start, covering a slightly broader time range than 방금.
방금 도착했어요.
bang-geum do-chak-haess-eo-yo., bang geum do chak haess eo yo.
Expresses arrival in the immediate past, so 방금 is appropriate.
막 도착했어요.
mak do-chak-haess-eo-yo., mak do chak haess eo yo.
Indicates arrival just recently, so 막 is also appropriate.
방금 지금 출발했어요.
bang-geum ji-geum chul-bal-haess-eo-yo., bang geum ji geum chul bal haess eo yo.
‘방금’ and ‘지금’ overlap in time expression, making it awkward. Use either ‘방금 출발했어요’ or ‘지금 출발했어요’.
막 밥을 먹으려고 해요.
mak bap-eul meok-eu-ryeo-go hae-yo., mak bap eul meok eu ryeo go hae yo.
‘막’ fits actions that are just about to start.
방금 밥을 먹으려고 해요.
bang-geum bap-eul meok-eu-ryeo-go hae-yo., bang geum bap eul meok eu ryeo go hae yo.
‘방금’ is used for past actions and not appropriate for actions about to start.
막 끝났어요.
mak kkeut-nass-eo-yo., mak kkeut nass eo yo.
‘막’ naturally indicates an action that has just finished.
방금 끝났어요.
bang-geum kkeut-nass-eo-yo., bang geum kkeut nass eo yo.
‘방금’ is also appropriate for actions that ended very recently.
막 방금 도착했어요.
mak bang-geum do-chak-haess-eo-yo., mak bang geum do chak haess eo yo.
Using ‘막’ and ‘방금’ together is redundant and unnatural.
Which expression indicates an action just about to start?
Which word is appropriate for an action finished very recently?
Which sentence sounds awkward with ‘막’?
What does it mean?
