항상 (hang-sang, hangsang) · 가끔 (ga-kkeum, gakkeum) · 절대 (jeol-dae, jeoldae)
항상 (hangsang), 가끔 (gakkeum), and 절대 (jeoldae) differ as adverbs in frequency and negation: always, sometimes, and never.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates an action or state that continues without change, always
When to use
daily habit, regular action, unchanging state
The nuance
항상 is used when something happens repeatedly or without change, indicating a positive frequency adverb meaning 'always'.
Indicates that something happens infrequently or occasionally
When to use
occasional meetings, rare exercise, infrequent events
The nuance
가끔 is used when something happens infrequently or rarely; it is a positive frequency adverb with low frequency.
Strongly negates that something will ever happen or be allowed, never
When to use
strong negation, impossible situations, strict prohibition
The nuance
절대 is used with negative sentences to emphasize that something will never happen; it does not fit positive sentences.
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 fits repeated and unchanging actions.
나는 가끔 아침에 커피를 마신다.
na-neun ga-kkeum a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-sin-da., na neun ga kkeum a chim e keo pi reul ma sin da.
가끔 fits infrequent actions.
나는 절대 아침에 커피를 마신다.
na-neun jeol-dae a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-sin-da., na neun jeol dae a chim e keo pi reul ma sin da.
절대 must be used with negative sentences, not positive.
나는 절대 아침에 커피를 마시지 않는다.
na-neun jeol-dae a-chim-e keo-pi-reul ma-si-ji an-neun-da., na neun jeol dae a chim e keo pi reul ma si ji an neun da.
절대 emphasizes strong negation in negative sentences.
그는 항상 가끔 운동한다.
geu-neun hang-sang ga-kkeum un-dong-han-da., geu neun hang sang ga kkeum un dong han da.
항상 and 가끔 contradict each other in frequency and cannot be used together.
그녀는 가끔 친구를 만난다.
geu-nyeo-neun ga-kkeum chin-gu-reul man-nan-da., geu nyeo neun ga kkeum chin gu reul man nan da.
가끔 fits infrequent meetings.
우리는 절대 늦지 않는다.
u-ri-neun jeol-dae neuj-ji an-neun-da., u ri neun jeol dae neuj ji an neun da.
절대 emphasizes never happening in negative sentences.
항상 절대 늦는다.
hang-sang jeol-dae neuj-neun-da., hang sang jeol dae neuj neun da.
항상 and 절대 contradict and cannot be combined.
Which word best fits? 'I _______ exercise. Very rarely.'
Which word completes 'I _______ am not late.'?
Which word is correct in 'He _______ reads the newspaper in the morning.'?
Which word strengthens 'I do not drink coffee.'?
What does it mean?
