What does 시간 mean?

시간 (si-gan, sigan)

‘시간’ (sigan) is a fundamental Korean word used everywhere. Learn its meanings and uses in daily and business contexts.

Clock showing the concept of time

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

시간(si-gan, sigan)

‘시간’ means ‘a point when something happens’ or ‘a duration of an event.’ It refers to a specific moment or a certain period in past, present, or future.

Nuances

  • Covers both specific moments and durations
  • Time as a quantity (e.g., 몇 시간, have much time)
  • Frequently used in expressions about time flow
  • Saying ‘no time’ is a polite way to say ‘busy’

When to use

daily conversation, business meeting, time appointment, schedule management

In context

‘시간’ is a noun used to express amounts or existence of time, like ‘몇 시간’ (some hours) or ‘시간이 있다’ (have time). It is used widely from casual speech to formal writing, naturally standing alone or with particles.

Real-world examples

  • 내일 오후 3시에 시간이 있어요.

    nae-il o-hu 3si-e si-gan-i iss-eo-yo., nae il o hu 3si e si gan i iss eo yo.

    ‘시간이 있다’ means ‘there is time,’ which is natural.

  • 이 일은 시간이 많이 걸려요.

    i il-eun si-gan-i man-i geol-ryeo-yo., i il eun si gan i man i geol ryeo yo.

    ‘시간이 걸리다’ expresses duration of an event.

  • 시간을 먹었어요.

    si-gan-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., si gan eul meok eoss eo yo.

    ‘시간을 먹다’ is unnatural; correct is ‘시간을 보내다’ (spend time).

  • 회의 시간이 변경되었습니다.

    hoe-ui si-gan-i byeon-gyeong-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., hoe ui si gan i byeon gyeong doe eoss seup ni da.

    ‘시간’ is used to indicate a specific time in appointments or schedules.

  • 시간이 없다면 빨리 가야 해요.

    si-gan-i eop-da-myeon ppal-ri ga-ya hae-yo., si gan i eop da myeon ppal ri ga ya hae yo.

    ‘시간이 없다’ is a polite way to say ‘busy.’

  • 시간을 달려요.

    si-gan-eul dal-ryeo-yo., si gan eul dal ryeo yo.

    ‘시간을 달리다’ is incorrect; correct phrases are ‘시간을 보내다’ or ‘시간이 흐르다.’

Quick quiz

  1. What does ‘시간이 있다’ mean?

    ‘시간이 있다’의 뜻은?(‘si-gan-iiss-da’uitteus-eun?, ‘siganiissda’uitteuseun?)
  2. What does ‘시간이 없다’ mean?

    ‘시간이 없다’는 어떤 뜻인가요?(‘si-gan-ieop-da’neuneo-tteontteus-in-ga-yo?, ‘siganieopda’neuneotteontteusingayo?)
  3. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

View all meaning guides →