다가 (da-ga, daga) · 다가는 (da-ga-neun, daganeun) · 자마자 (ja-ma-ja, jamaja)
다가 (daga), 다가는 (daganeun), and 자마자 (jamaja) all connect actions in time, but 다가는 warns of negative outcomes, 다가 shows ongoing action, and 자마자 expresses immediate succession.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used when one action or state is ongoing and another action follows during that time.
When to use
ongoing action connection, interruption by another action, time overlap expression
The nuance
Indicates that while one action is in progress, another action occurs or follows during that time.
Used to warn or predict a negative consequence if the preceding action continues.
When to use
negative consequence warning, warning about ongoing action, risk prediction
The nuance
Implies a negative outcome if the preceding action repeats or continues; commonly used in warnings.
Used when one action immediately follows another as soon as the first finishes.
When to use
immediate action connection, after action completion, no delay succession
The nuance
Indicates that the following action happens immediately after the preceding action finishes without delay.
나는 책을 읽다가 잠이 들었어요.
na-neun chaek-eul ik-da-ga jam-i deul-eoss-eo-yo., na neun chaek eul ik da ga jam i deul eoss eo yo.
‘다가’ correctly shows another action occurring during an ongoing action.
나는 책을 읽다가는 잠이 들었어요.
na-neun chaek-eul ik-da-ga-neun jam-i deul-eoss-eo-yo., na neun chaek eul ik da ga neun jam i deul eoss eo yo.
‘다가는’ is for warning negative results, not simple ongoing actions.
비가 오다가 그쳤어요.
bi-ga o-da-ga geu-chyeoss-eo-yo., bi ga o da ga geu chyeoss eo yo.
‘다가’ fits when one state changes into another during progress.
비가 오다가는 그쳤어요.
bi-ga o-da-ga-neun geu-chyeoss-eo-yo., bi ga o da ga neun geu chyeoss eo yo.
‘다가는’ is unsuitable for neutral weather change descriptions.
그렇게 계속 늦다가는 해고당할 거예요.
geu-reoh-ge gye-sok neuj-da-ga-neun hae-go-dang-hal geo-ye-yo., geu reoh ge gye sok neuj da ga neun hae go dang hal geo ye yo.
‘다가는’ perfectly warns about negative outcomes from ongoing behavior.
그렇게 계속 늦다가 해고당할 거예요.
geu-reoh-ge gye-sok neuj-da-ga hae-go-dang-hal geo-ye-yo., geu reoh ge gye sok neuj da ga hae go dang hal geo ye yo.
‘다가’ does not convey warning about negative consequences.
수업이 끝나자마자 집에 갔어요.
su-eop-i kkeut-na-ja-ma-ja jip-e gass-eo-yo., su eop i kkeut na ja ma ja jip e gass eo yo.
‘자마자’ indicates immediate succession after action completion.
수업이 끝다가 집에 갔어요.
su-eop-i kkeut-da-ga jip-e gass-eo-yo., su eop i kkeut da ga jip e gass eo yo.
‘다가’ is not used for immediate action after completion.
Which expression is used to warn of negative outcomes?
Which expression is used when the next action immediately follows the previous one?
Which expression fits when another action occurs during an ongoing action?
