Korean word

그제서야

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeujeseoya

Meaning

  • adverbonly then

Example

그는 그제서야 고백했다.keu neun keu je seo ya ko bae kaet tta

He confessed only then.

Illustration for 그제서야 (only then)

More examples

전화가 끊긴 뒤에 그제서야 문제가 있다는 걸 알았다.cheon hwa ga kkeun kin twi e keu je seo ya mun je ga it tta neun keol a rat tta

They realized that there was a problem only after the call was disconnected.

Core concept

The moment when a long-delayed action finally gets underway.

Common phrases

  • 그제서야 알다keu je seo ya al da

    only then know

  • 그제서야 깨닫다keu je seo ya kkae dat tta

    only then realize

  • 그제서야 알아차리다keu je seo ya a ra cha ri da

    only then notice

  • 그제서야 후회하다keu je seo ya hu hoe ha da

    only then regret

Similar words

이제야ijeya: A result appears only now, after a long delay.
드디어teudieo: A long-awaited result finally comes after sustained effort or a lengthy process.
뒤늦게twineutkke: An action or change happens later than the proper or expected time.

Definition in Korean

이미 늦어진 상황에서 그 시점에 와서야 어떤 일이 처음으로 발생함을 나타내는 부사i mi neu seo jin sang hwang e seo keu si jeo me wa seo ya eo tteon i ri cheo eu meu ro pal saeng ha meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

The expression pairs a reference to a particular time with a limiting element, creating the meaning that something happens only then and not sooner.

Usage tips

  • It is stronger than a neutral time marker because it shows that earlier moments passed before the action happened.

Other meanings

  • finallyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word