TOPIK · Level 78
15 words
Korean word
어쩌다
Pronunciation
Romanizationeojjeoda
Meaning
- adverbby chance
Example
나는 어쩌다 그 가게를 발견했다.na neun eo jjeo da keu ka ge reul pal gyeon haet tta
I found that store by chance.
More examples
저녁에 어쩌다 가게에 들렀다.cheo nyeo ge eo jjeo da ka ge e teul leot tta
I happened to stop by the store in the evening.
Core concept
A happening slips outside the plan and occurs by accident, often as a surprise.
Common phrases
어쩌다 들르다eo jjeo da teul leu da
happen to stop by
어쩌다 생각나다eo jjeo da saeng gang na da
happen to remember
Similar words
우연히uyeonhi: Describes a coincidence that occurs without a person's intention or design.
어쩌면eojjeomyeon: Suggests that something is possible but not certain.
가끔kakkeum: Describes an action that happens occasionally rather than regularly.
Definition in Korean
계획·의도와 달리 뜻밖에 어떤 일이 일어났음을 나타내는 부사.kye hoek ui do wa tal li tteut ppa kke eo tteon i ri i reo na sseu meul na ta nae neun pu sa
Word origin
The exact origin of this native Korean adverb is uncertain, so its modern meaning is best learned from its use for unplanned events.
Usage tips
- In casual storytelling, it helps mark an unexpected turn in how events came about, so it is useful when explaining an unplanned meeting or discovery.
Other meanings
- unexpectedlyadverb
- occasionallyadverb