아직 (a-jik, ajik) · 여전히 (yeo-jeon-hi, yeojeonhi) · 계속 (gye-sok, gyesok)
아직, 여전히, and 계속 all express ongoing states or actions over time, but differ in usage contexts and nuances.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates that something has not happened or is not completed yet, often implying expectation or delay
When to use
Incomplete state, Delayed expected change, Emphasis in negative sentences
The nuance
아직 is mainly used to emphasize that a state or event has not been completed or changed yet, often appearing in negative sentences.
Indicates that a state or situation remains unchanged from past to present
When to use
Unchanged state maintenance, Same situation as past, Both affirmative and negative possible
The nuance
여전히 expresses that a state has continued unchanged from the past to the present, usable in both affirmative and negative sentences.
Indicates that an action or state continues without interruption
When to use
Continuous action, Uninterrupted state, Repeated situations
The nuance
계속 is used when an action or state continues without stopping, often for ongoing or repeated actions.
아직 숙제를 안 했어요.
a-jik suk-je-reul an haess-eo-yo., a jik suk je reul an haess eo yo.
아직 is appropriate to express an incomplete state in a negative sentence.
아직 비가 오고 있어요.
a-jik bi-ga o-go iss-eo-yo., a jik bi ga o go iss eo yo.
For ongoing rain, 계속 should be used; 아직 suits negative or incomplete contexts better.
여전히 그 가게는 문을 닫았어요.
yeo-jeon-hi geu ga-ge-neun mun-eul dat-ass-eo-yo., yeo jeon hi geu ga ge neun mun eul dat ass eo yo.
여전히 fits when expressing an unchanged state from past in a negative sentence.
여전히 공부를 하고 있어요.
yeo-jeon-hi gong-bu-reul ha-go iss-eo-yo., yeo jeon hi gong bu reul ha go iss eo yo.
Appropriate to express continuous studying from past to present in an affirmative sentence.
계속 비가 와서 길이 젖었어요.
gye-sok bi-ga wa-seo gil-i jeoj-eoss-eo-yo., gye sok bi ga wa seo gil i jeoj eoss eo yo.
계속 is correct for describing rain that continues without stopping.
계속 아직 못 갔어요.
gye-sok a-jik mos gass-eo-yo., gye sok a jik mos gass eo yo.
계속 and 아직 should not be used together here; only 아직 fits.
아직도 그 사람이 여전히 여기 있어요.
a-jik-do geu sa-ram-i yeo-jeon-hi yeo-gi iss-eo-yo., a jik do geu sa ram i yeo jeon hi yeo gi iss eo yo.
Using 아직도 and 여전히 together is redundant and unnatural; choose one.
그는 계속해서 문제를 해결하고 있다.
geu-neun gye-sok-hae-seo mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-ha-go iss-da., geu neun gye sok hae seo mun je reul hae gyeol ha go iss da.
계속해서 emphasizes uninterrupted continuation of an action appropriately.
Which word best expresses 'an incomplete state yet to be finished'?
Which word fits expressing 'a state unchanged from past to present'?
Which word means 'an action continues without interruption'?
Which word is incorrect in this sentence? '나는 아직도 계속 공부하고 있어요.'
What does it mean?
