What does 전 mean?

전 (jeon)

'전' in Korean has various meanings like time, location, and comparison.

Korean word 전 meaning before or in front

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(jeon)

'전' mainly indicates a point in time before an event or state. It can also mean 'in front of' spatially or 'previous' in comparisons.

Nuances

  • Emphasizes a specific past time point
  • Indicates the front part of something spatially
  • Means a previous state in comparisons
  • Naturally used in both formal and informal speech

When to use

Time expressions, Location description, Comparison contexts

In context

'전' attaches to nouns to indicate time or order before something, e.g., '수업 전' means 'before class starts.' It also indicates spatial 'in front of' when attached to nouns. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 수업 전에 도착했어요.

    su-eop jeon-e do-chak-haess-eo-yo., su eop jeon e do chak haess eo yo.

    '수업 전' clearly indicates the time before the class starts.

  • 집 전에서 기다리고 있어요.

    jip jeon-e-seo gi-da-ri-go iss-eo-yo., jip jeon e seo gi da ri go iss eo yo.

    '집 전' naturally means in front of the house.

  • 전 친구가 왔어요.

    jeon chin-gu-ga wass-eo-yo., jeon chin gu ga wass eo yo.

    '전' alone cannot mean 'ex-' here; it requires the Sino-Korean '전(前)' as a prefix.

  • 회의 전에는 준비를 해야 해요.

    hoe-ui jeon-e-neun jun-bi-reul hae-ya hae-yo., hoe ui jeon e neun jun bi reul hae ya hae yo.

    Correctly indicates the time before the meeting.

  • 그는 전보다 더 열심히 일해요.

    geu-neun jeon-bo-da deo yeol-sim-hi il-hae-yo., geu neun jeon bo da deo yeol sim hi il hae yo.

    Indicates a previous state in comparison.

  • 학교 전에서 만나요.

    hak-gyo jeon-e-seo man-na-yo., hak gyo jeon e seo man na yo.

    '학교 전' is not natural for location; use '학교 앞' for 'in front of school'.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the basic meaning of '전'?

    '전'의 기본 의미는 무엇인가요?('jeon'uigi-bonui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'jeon'uigibonuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses '전' to indicate location?

    다음 중 '전'이 위치를 나타내는 문장은?(da-eumjung'jeon'iwi-chi-reulna-ta-nae-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'jeon'iwichireulnatanaeneunmunjangeun?)
  3. Which is the correct time expression using '전'?

    '전'을 사용한 올바른 시간 표현은?('jeon'eulsa-yong-hanol-ba-reunsi-ganpyo-hyeon-eun?, 'jeon'eulsayonghanolbareunsiganpyohyeoneun?)

More meaning guides

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