English–Korean

“first” in Korean

Korean

Also첫 (cheot) · 일단 (ildan) · 최초 (choecho)

Pronunciation

Romanizationmeonjeo

Example

먼저 질문해도 돼요?meon jeo chil mun hae do twae yo

May I ask a question first?

Illustration for 먼저 (first)

How to say “first” in Korean

“First” in Korean is 먼저 (meonjeo).

A person or event comes ahead of others in time or order.

Full entry for 먼저: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 먼저

문제가 생기면 먼저 확인해 주세요.mun je ga saeng gi myeon meon jeo hwa gin hae chu se yo

If a problem arises, please check it first.

Tips for using 먼저

  • In conversation, context shows whether the speaker is announcing an early action or politely letting another person take the first turn.

Other Korean words for “first”

2

첫

cheot

determinerfirst

첫날에 긴장했어요.cheon na re kin jang hae sseo yo

I was nervous on the first day.

일단 전화하고 갈게.il dan cheon hwa ha go kal kke

I'll call first, then go.

그 최초의 방문을 기억한다.keu choe cho ui pang mu neul ki eo kan da

I remember the first visit.

“first” in other languages