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HOW TO USE 기 전에 & 후에
Expressing actions or events that happen before or after another action using -기 전에 (before) and -은/ㄴ 후에 (after).
These structures are essential for sequencing events and organizing thoughts in Korean, similar to “before doing” and “after doing” in English.
USING 기 전에 FOR “BEFORE”
The ending -기 전에 is used to describe actions that happen before another event.
PATTERN
Verb Stem + 기 전에 + Main Action
| 수업을 듣기 전에 책을 읽어요. | I read a book before attending class. |
| 자기 전에 이를 닦아요. | I brush my teeth before going to bed. |
| 운동하기 전에 준비 운동을 해야 해요. | I planned the schedule before going on a trip. |
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| 여행 가기 전에 일정을 정했어요. | I planned the schedule before going on a trip. |
| 시험 보기 전에 복습했어요. | I reviewed before taking the test. |
| 친구를 만나기 전에 카페에 들렀어요. | I stopped by a café before meeting my friend. |
USING 은/ㄴ 후에 FOR “AFTER”
Use -은/ㄴ 후에 to describe an action or state that happens after another action.
It is similar to saying “after doing something” in English.
PATTERN
Verb Stem + -은/ㄴ 후에 + Main Action
| 수업을 들은 후에 숙제를 해요. | I do homework after attending class. |
| 밥을 먹은 후에 산책했어요. | I took a walk after eating. |
| 운동한 후에 샤워를 해요. | I take a shower after exercising. |
View More Examples:
| 영화를 본 후에 친구들과 이야기했어요. | I talked with my friends after watching a movie. |
| 회의를 끝낸 후에 메모를 정리했어요. | I organized my notes after finishing the meeting. |
| 쇼핑한 후에 저녁을 먹었어요. | I had dinner after shopping. |
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FAQs
What is the difference with 기 전에 and 후에?
기 전에 means “before (doing something),” while 후에 means “after (doing something).”
They are used to indicate the time sequence of actions.
Can I use 기 전에, 후에 with verbs and nouns?
기 전에 is only used with verbs, while 후에 can be used with both verbs and nouns.
When using 후에 with a noun, you don’t need the 기 form.
How do I use 기 전에 and 후에 with past and future tenses?
The verb before 기 전에 is always in its base form, but the main verb in the sentence can be conjugated in past, present, or future tense.
With 후에, the verb before it is also in its base form, but the main verb follows normal tense conjugation rules.
Is there a difference between 후에 and 다음에?
Both can mean “after,” but 후에 is slightly more formal, while 다음에 is often used in casual speech to mean “next time” or “after that.”
Can I use 기 전에 and 후에 in the same sentence?
Yes!
You can use both to describe sequential events, like:
밥을 먹기 전에 손을 씻고, 먹은 후에 이를 닦아요.
“Before eating, I wash my hands, and after eating, I brush my teeth.”
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