항상 (hang-sang, hangsang) · 맨날 (maen-nal, maennal) · 자주 (ja-ju, jaju)
항상 (hangsang), 맨날 (maennal), and 자주 (jaju) all express frequency, but 항상 means constant frequency, 맨날 implies excessive or annoying frequency, and 자주 indicates moderate frequency.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Frequency of something happening consistently without change
When to use
Everyday habit, Unchanging state, Positive or neutral context
The nuance
항상 (hangsang) is used when an action or state repeats consistently without change. It is mainly used in positive or neutral contexts and can be used in negative contexts without strong negative nuance.
Frequency with a negative nuance indicating excessive or annoying repetition
When to use
Annoying repetition, Negative context, Excessive frequency
The nuance
맨날 (maennal) is mainly used in negative contexts to express that something happens too often, causing annoyance or dissatisfaction. It is rarely used in positive contexts.
Moderate and frequent occurrence, with positive or neutral meaning
When to use
Moderate frequency, Positive or neutral context, Repeated actions
The nuance
자주 (jaju) is used when something happens relatively often but not always. It is widely used in positive or neutral contexts without negative nuance.
나는 항상 아침에 커피를 마신다.
na-neun hang-sang a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-sin-da., na neun hang sang a chim e keo pi reul ma sin da.
항상 correctly expresses a consistent habitual action.
나는 맨날 아침에 커피를 마신다.
na-neun maen-nal a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-sin-da., na neun maen nal a chim e keo pi reul ma sin da.
맨날 can be used to express repeated actions with a slightly negative or annoyed nuance.
나는 자주 아침에 커피를 마신다.
na-neun ja-ju a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-sin-da., na neun ja ju a chim e keo pi reul ma sin da.
자주 correctly expresses moderate frequency.
나는 항상 맨날 학교에 늦는다.
na-neun hang-sang maen-nal hak-gyo-e neuj-neun-da., na neun hang sang maen nal hak gyo e neuj neun da.
Using 항상 and 맨날 together is redundant and unnatural; use only 맨날 for annoying frequency.
그는 맨날 운동한다.
geu-neun maen-nal un-dong-han-da., geu neun maen nal un dong han da.
맨날 carries a negative nuance; using it for positive actions sounds odd.
그는 항상 운동한다.
geu-neun hang-sang un-dong-han-da., geu neun hang sang un dong han da.
항상 is appropriate for expressing positive habitual actions.
그는 맨날 늦게 온다.
geu-neun maen-nal neuj-ge on-da., geu neun maen nal neuj ge on da.
맨날 fits negative repeated actions with annoyance.
그는 자주 늦게 온다.
geu-neun ja-ju neuj-ge on-da., geu neun ja ju neuj ge on da.
자주 is suitable for moderately frequent negative actions without strong annoyance.
What is the biggest difference between '항상' and '맨날'?
When is it appropriate to use '자주'?
Which of the following sentences is incorrect?
What does it mean?
