Pattern: -(으)ㄴ지
-(으)ㄴ지 (-(eu)ㄴji, (eu)ㄴji)
-(으)ㄴ지 expresses the elapsed time since an action started, used to ask or state how long something has been happening.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Indicates the elapsed time since an action or state began.
When to use
asking elapsed time, stating elapsed time, expressing duration of experience
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄴ지 to the past tense stem of verbs or adjectives to indicate how much time has passed since that action/state began. It is mainly used to ask or state elapsed time, typically in the form ‘~은 지 + time’. For example, ‘만난 지 3년 됐어요’ (It’s been 3 years since we met).
한국에 온 지 5년 됐어요.
han-guk-e on ji 5nyeon dwaess-eo-yo., han guk e on ji 5nyeon dwaess eo yo.
‘온 지’ correctly attaches -(으)ㄴ지 to the past form of ‘오다’ (to come).
만난 지 얼마나 됐어요?
man-nan ji eol-ma-na dwaess-eo-yo?, man nan ji eol ma na dwaess eo yo?
‘만난 지’ correctly uses -(으)ㄴ지 with the past form of ‘만나다’ to ask elapsed time.
산 지 오래됐어요.
san ji o-rae-dwaess-eo-yo., san ji o rae dwaess eo yo.
‘산 지’ correctly attaches -(으)ㄴ지 to the past form of ‘사다’ to express elapsed time.
공부한지 3시간 됐어요.
gong-bu-han-ji 3si-gan dwaess-eo-yo., gong bu han ji 3si gan dwaess eo yo.
There must be a space between -(으)ㄴ지 and the following time expression; ‘공부한 지’ is correct.
운동한 지 얼마 안 됐어요.
un-dong-han ji eol-ma an dwaess-eo-yo., un dong han ji eol ma an dwaess eo yo.
‘운동한 지’ correctly uses -(으)ㄴ지 with the past form of ‘운동하다’.
만나은 지 2년 됐어요.
man-na-eun ji 2nyeon dwaess-eo-yo., man na eun ji 2nyeon dwaess eo yo.
‘만나은’ is incorrect; the correct past form is ‘만난’.
What is the role of -(으)ㄴ지 in ‘만난 지 3년 됐어요.’?
Which sentence is correct?
What does ‘산 지’ mean in ‘산 지 오래됐어요.’?
