이미 (i-mi, imi) · 이제 (i-je, ije)
이미 emphasizes that something was completed in the past, while 이제 indicates a change starting from the present moment.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to emphasize that something was already completed or is a fact in the past.
When to use
past completion emphasis, fact confirmation, prior state before change
The nuance
이미 is used to indicate that something was finished or definitely happened in the past; it does not express changes starting now or in the future.
Indicates that a change or new state has begun from the present moment.
When to use
present change start, introduction of new state, future direction indication
The nuance
이제 is used to express that a situation has changed or will change starting now; it does not indicate a completed past fact.
이미 숙제를 다 했어요.
i-mi suk-je-reul da haess-eo-yo., i mi suk je reul da haess eo yo.
Emphasizes the homework was completed in the past, so '이미' is appropriate.
이제 숙제를 다 했어요.
i-je suk-je-reul da haess-eo-yo., i je suk je reul da haess eo yo.
'이제' indicates a change starting now, so it doesn't fit a completed past fact; use '이미' instead.
이제 출발할 시간이에요.
i-je chul-bal-hal si-gan-i-e-yo., i je chul bal hal si gan i e yo.
Indicates a change starting now, so '이제' is appropriate.
이미 출발할 시간이에요.
i-mi chul-bal-hal si-gan-i-e-yo., i mi chul bal hal si gan i e yo.
'이미' emphasizes past completion, so it's inappropriate for sentences about present or future change.
이미 그 영화 봤어요.
i-mi geu yeong-hwa bwass-eo-yo., i mi geu yeong hwa bwass eo yo.
Confirms the movie was watched in the past, so '이미' is correct.
이제 그 영화 봤어요.
i-je geu yeong-hwa bwass-eo-yo., i je geu yeong hwa bwass eo yo.
'이제' means change starting now, so it doesn't fit a past completed action.
이제부터 열심히 공부할 거예요.
i-je-bu-teo yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-hal geo-ye-yo., i je bu teo yeol sim hi gong bu hal geo ye yo.
Indicates a new action starting from now, so '이제' is appropriate.
이미부터 열심히 공부할 거예요.
i-mi-bu-teo yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-hal geo-ye-yo., i mi bu teo yeol sim hi gong bu hal geo ye yo.
'이미부터' is ungrammatical, and '이미' is only for past completion emphasis.
Which word is appropriate to emphasize a completed past action?
Which word indicates a change starting at the present moment?
"___ finished the homework." (past completion emphasis)
"___ It's time to leave." (present change start)
