What does 오늘 mean?

오늘 (o-neul, oneul)

오늘 (oneul) is a common time adverb in daily Korean. Learn its exact meaning and usage.

Korean word 오늘 meaning today on calendar

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

오늘(o-neul, oneul)

오늘 means ‘today’, referring to the current date or day. It is used to talk about a 24-hour period starting from midnight to midnight of the current day.

Nuances

  • ‘오늘’ refers strictly to the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.
  • ‘오늘’ is limited to the current date, not past or future days.
  • Sometimes ‘오늘’ can imply ‘right now’ or ‘this moment’ in casual speech.

When to use

Daily conversation, Business report, News, Planning

In context

오늘 is a time adverb that modifies verbs or adjectives in sentences. It is naturally used in both informal and formal contexts, including daily conversations, news, and business.

Real-world examples

  • 오늘 날씨가 정말 좋네요.

    o-neul nal-ssi-ga jeong-mal joh-ne-yo., o neul nal ssi ga jeong mal joh ne yo.

    ‘오늘’ correctly refers to the current date and is grammatically in the right place.

  • 내일과 오늘 중 어느 날이 더 바쁘세요?

    nae-il-gwa o-neul jung eo-neu nal-i deo ba-ppeu-se-yo?, nae il gwa o neul jung eo neu nal i deo ba ppeu se yo?

    ‘오늘’ is naturally used in a comparative sentence.

  • 오늘은 어제보다 더 더워요.

    o-neul-eun eo-je-bo-da deo deo-wo-yo., o neul eun eo je bo da deo deo wo yo.

    Time adverb ‘오늘’ is properly used as the subject in the sentence.

  • 오늘밤에 만나요.

    o-neul-bam-e man-na-yo., o neul bam e man na yo.

    ‘오늘밤’ combines ‘오늘’ and ‘night’ naturally as a compound time adverb.

  • 오늘은 어제보다 더 추워요?

    o-neul-eun eo-je-bo-da deo chu-wo-yo?, o neul eun eo je bo da deo chu wo yo?

    ‘오늘’ correctly indicates the current date in a comparative sentence.

  • 오늘에 학교에 갔어요.

    o-neul-e hak-gyo-e gass-eo-yo., o neul e hak gyo e gass eo yo.

    ‘오늘’ does not take a particle; ‘오늘에’ is unnatural.

  • 오늘은 내일보다 늦게 일어나요.

    o-neul-eun nae-il-bo-da neuj-ge il-eo-na-yo., o neul eun nae il bo da neuj ge il eo na yo.

    The time order between ‘오늘’ and ‘내일’ is illogical, making the meaning awkward.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the meaning of ‘오늘’?

    ‘오늘’의 의미는 무엇인가요?(‘o-neul’uiui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, ‘oneul’uiuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  3. What does ‘오늘밤’ mean?

    ‘오늘밤’은 어떤 의미인가요?(‘o-neul-bam’euneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga-yo?, ‘oneulbam’euneotteonuimiingayo?)

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