Korean word

오래

Pronunciation

Romanizationorae

Meaning

  • adverbfor a long time

Example

그는 오래 해외에 살았어요.keu neun o rae hae oe e sa ra sseo yo

He lived abroad for a long time.

Illustration for 오래 (for a long time)

More examples

시험 때문에 오래 공부했어요.si heom ttae mu ne o rae kong bu hae sseo yo

I studied for a long time because of the exam.

Core concept

A long continuation of an action or state across time.

Common phrases

  • 오래 걸리다o rae keol li da

    take a long time

  • 오래 기억에 남다o rae ki eo ge nam tta

    be remembered for a long time

  • 오래 공부하다o rae kong bu ha da

    study for a long time

Similar words

오랫동안oraetttongan: Covers the whole long period during which an action or state keeps going.
한동안handongan: Covers a period with no clear end while a temporary situation continues.
한참hancham: Highlights a noticeably long while before an action or state ends or changes.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일이 시작해서 끝날 때까지 걸리는 시간이 길다는 의미로 쓰이는 부사eo tteon i ri si ja kae seo kkeun nal ttae kka ji keol li neun si ga ni kil da neun ui mi ro sseu i neun pu sa

Word origin

The word has native Korean roots and has traditionally been used to mark that an action lasts for an extended period.

Usage tips

  • English often puts a duration phrase after the verb, while Korean can place this short word before it, making word order an important clue.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word