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Unit 3: As Soon As (-자마자)

To say "as soon as [Action A], [Action B] happens," you use the Easy Korean grammar point -자마자.

Structure

Verb Stem + -자마자

It is incredibly easy to use because there are no exceptions! You just drop the '다' from the dictionary form and attach -자마자. You don't need to worry about tense here—the tense is determined by the final verb in the sentence.

  • 가다 (to go) -> 가자마자 (as soon as someone goes)
  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹자마자 (as soon as someone eats)
  • 도착하다 (to arrive) -> 도착하자마자 (as soon as someone arrives)

Examples

  • 집에 도착하자마자 잤어요. (As soon as I arrived home, I slept.)
  • 그를 보자마자 알았어요. (As soon as I saw him, I knew.)
  • 불을 끄자마자 잠이 들었어요. (As soon as I turned off the light, I fell asleep.)