TOPIK · Level 72
15 words
Korean word
예전
Pronunciation
Romanizationyejeon
Meaning
- nounpast
Example
예전에는 집이 작았어요.ye jeo ne neun chi bi cha ga sseo yo
In the past, the house was small.
More examples
요즘은 예전보다 생활이 편해요.yo jeu meun ye jeon bo da saeng hwa ri pyeon hae yo
These days, life is more comfortable than in the past.
Core concept
An earlier period or way of life viewed in contrast with the present.
Common phrases
예전에는ye jeo ne neun
in the past
예전처럼ye jeon cheo reom
as in the past
예전보다ye jeon bo da
than in the past
Similar words
옛날yennal: A distant period of life recalled with warmth or familiarity.
전cheon: A past point reached by counting back from the present.
이전ijeon: An earlier phase that came before a later event or state.
Definition in Korean
과거의 때를 가리키는 명사로, 지금과 대비되는 옛 시절이나 이전의 관습을 뜻함.kwa geo ui ttae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa ro chi geum gwa tae bi doe neun yet si jeo ri na i jeo nui kwan seu beul tteu tam
Word origin
The formation of 예전 (yejeon, "past") is uncertain, so its meaning is more useful to learn as a whole than to divide into parts.
Usage tips
- It often frames a change between then and now, while the surrounding context shows whether the speaker sounds neutral or nostalgic.