Korean word

갑자기

Pronunciation

Romanizationkapjjagi

Meaning

  • adverbsuddenly

Example

갑자기 비가 왔어요.kap jja gi pi ga wa sseo yo

Suddenly, it started raining.

Illustration for 갑자기 (suddenly)

More examples

갑자기 전화가 왔어요.kap jja gi cheon hwa ga wa sseo yo

I suddenly got a phone call.

Core concept

A change happens without warning, in just a moment.

Common phrases

  • 갑자기 비가 오다kap jja gi pi ga o da

    rain suddenly

  • 갑자기 마음이 바뀌다kap jja gi ma eu mi pa kkwi da

    change one's mind suddenly

  • 갑자기 울음소리가 나다kap jja gi u reum so ri ga na da

    a cry suddenly rings out

Similar words

갑작스럽게kapjjaksseureopkke: A situation shifts abruptly before anyone has time to prepare.
느닷없이neudaseopssi: Something appears or begins with no earlier hint that it would happen.
불쑥pulssuk: A person or thing pops into view or joins an activity without notice.

Definition in Korean

예상하지 못한 행동이나 상황의 급격한 변화를 순간적으로 나타내는 부사ye sang ha ji mo tan haeng dong i na sang hwang ui keup kkyeo kan pyeon hwa reul sun gan jeo geu ro na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

The exact historical origin of this adverb is uncertain, so its form is best learned as a fixed expression for a sudden change.

Usage tips

  • At the start of a sentence, it quickly tells listeners that the next event was not expected.

Other meanings

  • unexpectedlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word