Korean word

일단

Pronunciation

Romanizationildan

Meaning

  • adverbfirst

Example

일단 전화하고 갈게.il dan cheon hwa ha go kal kke

I'll call first, then go.

Illustration for 일단 (first)

More examples

일단 해보고 결정하자.il dan hae bo go kyeol jeong ha ja

Let's try it first, then decide.

Core concept

Begin with an immediate step as a temporary priority, then deal with the larger question later.

Common phrases

  • 일단 해봐il dan hae bwa

    try it first

  • 일단 연락해il dan yeol la kae

    get in touch first

  • 일단 시작해il dan si ja kae

    start first

Similar words

먼저meonjeo: Used when an action or event comes before others in time or order.
우선useon: Used to mark something as the first priority before other matters.

Definition in Korean

일단은 어떤 문제에 대해 임시로 우선 처리하거나 시작할 때 쓰는 부사il da neun eo tteon mun je e tae hae im si ro u seon cheo ri ha geo na si ja kal ttae sseu neun pu sa

Word origin

Its origin is the Sino-Korean expression meaning once or at one point, a sense that developed into doing something first while leaving the larger decision open.

Usage tips

  • Unlike plain English first, this word can show that an action is only the immediate step and the final decision comes later.

Other meanings

  • for nowadverb
  • onceadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word