현재 (hyeon-jae, hyeonjae) · 과거 (gwa-geo, gwageo) · 미래 (mi-rae, mirae)
현재 (hyun-jae) means the present moment, 과거 (gwa-geo) refers to past time, and 미래 (mi-rae) indicates future time.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A word indicating the current moment or present time
When to use
Describing current situation, Stating present facts, Describing current state
The nuance
Use 현재 when referring to situations happening now or existing at this moment, unlike 과거 or 미래 which refer to past or future times.
A word indicating time or events that have already passed
When to use
Describing past events, Completed experiences, Expressing past time
The nuance
Use 과거 to talk about completed or past times, events, or experiences, which are fixed and unchangeable unlike 현재 or 미래.
A word indicating time or events that will happen in the future
When to use
Expressing predictions, Explaining plans, Future events
The nuance
Use 미래 when referring to times or events that have not happened yet but will occur; suitable for predictions or plans, unlike 현재 or 과거.
현재 날씨가 매우 좋습니다.
hyeon-jae nal-ssi-ga mae-u joh-seup-ni-da., hyeon jae nal ssi ga mae u joh seup ni da.
It correctly expresses a situation happening at the present moment.
과거 날씨가 매우 좋습니다.
gwa-geo nal-ssi-ga mae-u joh-seup-ni-da., gwa geo nal ssi ga mae u joh seup ni da.
When talking about the past, a past tense verb like 'was good' is needed, not the present tense.
미래에 여행을 갈 거예요.
mi-rae-e yeo-haeng-eul gal geo-ye-yo., mi rae e yeo haeng eul gal geo ye yo.
It naturally expresses a plan that will happen in the future.
현재에 여행을 갈 거예요.
hyeon-jae-e yeo-haeng-eul gal geo-ye-yo., hyeon jae e yeo haeng eul gal geo ye yo.
현재 means the present moment, so it cannot be used for future plans.
과거에 그 일을 했어요.
gwa-geo-e geu il-eul haess-eo-yo., gwa geo e geu il eul haess eo yo.
It appropriately expresses a completed past event.
미래에 그 일을 했어요.
mi-rae-e geu il-eul haess-eo-yo., mi rae e geu il eul haess eo yo.
Future time cannot be combined with past tense verbs.
현재 상황을 이해했어요.
hyeon-jae sang-hwang-eul i-hae-haess-eo-yo., hyeon jae sang hwang eul i hae haess eo yo.
It correctly uses 현재 to refer to the current situation.
과거 상황을 이해했어요.
gwa-geo sang-hwang-eul i-hae-haess-eo-yo., gwa geo sang hwang eul i hae haess eo yo.
It correctly uses 과거 to refer to a past situation.
Which word is appropriate to talk about 'things to do tomorrow'?
Which word fits when describing 'things that happened yesterday'?
Which word is appropriate to talk about 'things happening now'?
