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Easy Korean - Level 6, Unit 8: While you are at it... (-(으)ㄴ/는 김에)

Have you ever decided to do an extra task just because you were already doing something related? For example, "While I'm going to the kitchen, I'll grab you a water."

In Korean, we use the structure -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 to express "while you are at it" or "since you are already doing X, might as well do Y."

How to Conjugate

1. Present Tense (Action you are currently doing or about to do): Add -는 김에 * 가다 (to go) -> 가는 김에 (while you are going / on your way there) * 시작하다 (to start) -> 시작하는 김에 (since we are starting)

2. Past Tense (Action you have already done): Add -(으)ㄴ 김에 * 오다 (to come) -> 온 김에 (since you came here / while you are here) * 사다 (to buy) -> 산 김에 (since you already bought it) * 만들다 (to make) -> 만든 김에 (since you already made it)

-는 동안 (While) vs. -는 김에 (While you're at it)

  • -는 동안 means two things are happening at the exact same time (duration). Example: 제가 청소하는 동안 쉬세요. (While I am cleaning, you rest.)
  • -는 김에 means taking advantage of a situation or an action to do a secondary action. Example: 청소하는 김에 설거지도 할게요. (Since I'm already cleaning, I'll do the dishes too.)

Example Sentences

  1. 밖에 나가는 김에 커피 좀 사다 줄 수 있어요? (While you are going outside, can you buy me some coffee?)

  2. 한국에 온 김에 친구들을 많이 만나고 싶어요. (Since I came to Korea, I want to meet many friends.)

  3. 말이 나온 김에 물어볼게요. (Since we are on the topic [Literally: Since the words came out], I will ask you a question.)

  4. 마트에 가는 김에 우유도 살게요. (While I'm on my way to the supermarket, I will buy milk too.)