Korean word

바로

Pronunciation

Romanizationparo

Meaning

  • adverbright away

Example

그는 바로 집에 갔어요.keu neun pa ro chi be ka sseo yo

He went home right away.

Illustration for 바로 (right away)

More examples

질문하자마자 선생님에게 바로 물어봤어요.chil mun ha ja ma ja seon saeng ni me ge pa ro mu reo bwa sseo yo

Right after asking my question, I asked the teacher about it.

Core concept

Movement follows a direct path, and an action happens immediately without waiting.

Common phrases

  • 바로 지금pa ro chi geum

    right now

  • 바로 옆pa ro yeop

    right next to

  • 바로 오다pa ro o da

    come right away

Similar words

금방keumbang: Something happened a moment ago or will happen very soon.
곧kot: Something is expected to happen in the near future.
즉시cheukssi: An action or response happens immediately without any pause.
당장tangjang: An action must begin right now because waiting is not possible.

Definition in Korean

시간적으로 지체 없이 일어나는 즉시성이나 공간적으로 곧장 있는 위치를 나타내는 부사.si gan jeo geu ro chi che eop ssi i reo na neun cheuk ssi seong i na kong gan jeo geu ro kot jjang in neun wi chi reul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

The exact historical origin of this adverb is uncertain, so its direct and immediate uses are best learned through their shared sense of no detour or delay.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear right away as only a time phrase, but this word also keeps the useful idea of going straight to a place or result.

Other meanings

  • straightadverb
  • exactlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word