아침 (a-chim, achim) · 점심 (jeom-sim, jeomsim) · 저녁 (jeo-nyeok, jeonyeok)
아침, 점심, and 저녁 refer to meals at different times of the day, and must be used according to the correct time and context.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The first meal eaten in the morning
When to use
First morning meal, Mentioning breakfast time, Food eaten in the morning
The nuance
아침 refers to the first meal typically eaten shortly after sunrise until around 10 a.m. It is used only for morning meals, often called ‘breakfast’.
Meal eaten around noon
When to use
Noon meal, Work lunch break, Food eaten during daytime
The nuance
점심 means the meal eaten usually between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., also called ‘lunch’. It is used only for midday meals.
Meal eaten after sunset
When to use
Meal after sunset, Family dinner, Evening time meal
The nuance
저녁 refers to the meal eaten after sunset until night, generally between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., also called ‘dinner’.
아침에 빵을 먹었어요.
a-chim-e ppang-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., a chim e ppang eul meok eoss eo yo.
Correctly describes eating the first meal in the morning.
점심은 보통 아침 전에 먹어요.
jeom-sim-eun bo-tong a-chim jeon-e meok-eo-yo., jeom sim eun bo tong a chim jeon e meok eo yo.
Lunch is eaten after breakfast around noon, so saying before breakfast is incorrect.
저녁 식사는 오후 6시에 합니다.
jeo-nyeok sik-sa-neun o-hu 6si-e hap-ni-da., jeo nyeok sik sa neun o hu 6si e hap ni da.
Dinner is usually eaten in the evening after sunset, so this is appropriate.
아침에 점심을 먹었어요.
a-chim-e jeom-sim-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., a chim e jeom sim eul meok eoss eo yo.
Lunch is not eaten in the morning, so this sentence is incorrect.
점심시간에 친구들과 식사했어요.
jeom-sim-si-gan-e chin-gu-deul-gwa sik-sa-haess-eo-yo., jeom sim si gan e chin gu deul gwa sik sa haess eo yo.
Refers to having lunch with friends at the correct midday time.
저녁은 보통 오전 9시에 먹어요.
jeo-nyeok-eun bo-tong o-jeon 9si-e meok-eo-yo., jeo nyeok eun bo tong o jeon 9si e meok eo yo.
Dinner is after sunset, so 9 a.m. is not an evening meal time.
아침 식사 후에 학교에 갔어요.
a-chim sik-sa hu-e hak-gyo-e gass-eo-yo., a chim sik sa hu e hak gyo e gass eo yo.
Naturally expresses going to school after breakfast.
점심 대신 저녁을 아침에 먹었어요.
jeom-sim dae-sin jeo-nyeok-eul a-chim-e meok-eoss-eo-yo., jeom sim dae sin jeo nyeok eul a chim e meok eoss eo yo.
Dinner is not eaten in the morning, so this sentence is incorrect.
Which sentence correctly describes eating lunch?
What time corresponds to ‘저녁’ (dinner)?
Which sentence does NOT describe ‘아침’ (breakfast)?
What does it mean?
