Korean word

우선

Pronunciation

Romanizationuseon

Meaning

  • adverbfor now

Example

우선 전화해 봐.u seon cheon hwa hae pwa

For now, try calling.

Illustration for 우선 (for now)

More examples

우선 오늘은 쉬자.u seon o neu reun swi ja

Let's just rest today.

Core concept

Marks one action as the first thing to do before other matters.

Common phrases

  • 우선 확인하다u seon hwa gin ha da

    check first

  • 우선 시작하다u seon si ja ka da

    start first

Similar words

먼저meonjeo: Shows that something happens or is done ahead of others.
일단ildan: Takes a first step for now while the rest can be decided later.

Definition in Korean

먼저 하거나 먼저 처리해야 함을 나타내는 부사meon jeo ha geo na meon jeo cheo ri hae ya ha meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

It is a Sino-Korean compound whose parts mean superior and ahead, giving the idea of putting something before other things.

Usage tips

  • In a spoken plan, it can mark the starting priority while leaving later choices open.

Other meanings

  • first of alladverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 우선성useonseongprioritynoun
  • 우선적useonjeokpreferentialadjective

Word lists with this word