TOPIK · Level 250
15 words
Korean word
미처
Pronunciation
Romanizationmicheo
Meaning
- adverbwithout realizing it
Example
나는 그 소식을 미처 몰랐다.na neun keu so si geul mi cheo mol lat tta
I didn't know about the news until it was too late.
More examples
미처 준비하지 못해 약속에 늦었다.mi cheo chun bi ha ji mo tae yak sso ge neu seot tta
I was late for the appointment because I failed to prepare in time.
Core concept
Someone has not yet realized or prepared enough to respond before the chance to act is gone.
Common phrases
미처 몰랐다mi cheo mol lat tta
fail to realize
미처 준비하지 못했다mi cheo chun bi ha ji mo taet tta
fail to prepare in time
미처 생각하지 못했다mi cheo saeng ga ka ji mo taet tta
fail to think of it in time
Similar words
모르고moreugo: Doing something while unaware of an important fact.
깜빡kkamppak: Forgetting something briefly because of a short lapse in attention.
제때(에)chettaee: Taking place on time when action is needed.
Definition in Korean
어떤 일에 대한 인식이나 준비가 충분하지 않아 기대되는 반응이나 조치를 못하게 된 상태를 가리키는 부사.eo tteon i re tae han in si gi na chun bi ga chung bun ha ji a na ki dae doe neun pa neung i na cho chi reul mo ta ge toen sang tae reul ka ri ki neun pu sa
Word origin
No reliable historical decomposition is established, and the word is best learned as a modern adverb for an uncompleted response or action.
Usage tips
- In reading passages, it often signals that a person failed to notice or respond in time, so the surrounding verb shows what was missed.