Korean word

한동안

Pronunciation

Romanizationhandongan

Meaning

  • adverbfor a while

Example

그는 한동안 말을 하지 않았다.keu neun han dong an ma reul ha ji a nat tta

He did not speak for a while.

Illustration for 한동안 (for a while)

More examples

비가 한동안 그치지 않았다.pi ga han dong an keu chi ji a nat tta

The rain did not stop for a while.

Core concept

An open-ended stretch of time that holds an ongoing action or state.

Common phrases

  • 한동안 멈춰 있다han dong an meom chwo it tta

    stay still for a while

  • 한동안 쉬다han dong an swi da

    rest for a while

  • 한동안 연락이 끊기다han dong an yeol la gi kkeun ki da

    be out of contact for a while

Similar words

잠깐chamkkan: Taking only a tiny amount of time, such as a quick wait.
잠시chamsi: Lasting for a little while during a pause or short stay.
당분간tangbungan: Remaining in effect for the time being as the current situation continues.
한참hancham: Going on for quite a long while before changing or stopping.

Definition in Korean

끝이 뚜렷하지 않은 일정 기간 동안 계속되는 상태나 행동을 가리키는 부사kkeu si ttu ryeo ta ji a neun il jeong ki gan tong an kye sok ttoe neun sang tae na haeng dong eul ka ri ki neun pu sa

Word origin

It combines 한 (han, "one or a certain") with 동안 (dongan, "a span of time") to form an adverb for an unspecified period.

Usage tips

  • English for the time being can suggest a current arrangement, while 한동안 (handongan, "for a while") more neutrally highlights the duration of a temporary situation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word