Korean word

한참

Pronunciation

Romanizationhancham

Meaning

  • adverbfor a long time

Example

나는 한참 기다렸는데 아직 안 왔어.na neun han cham ki da ryeon neun de a jik an wa sseo

I waited for a long time, but they still haven't come.

Illustration for 한참 (for a long time)

More examples

그녀는 한참 동안 창밖을 바라보고 있었다.keu nyeo neun han cham tong an chang ba kkeul pa ra bo go i sseot tta

She was looking out the window for a long time.

Core concept

Time continuing for quite a while before an action or state ends or changes.

Common phrases

  • 한참 동안han cham tong an

    for a long time

  • 한참 걸리다han cham keol li da

    take a long time

  • 한참 생각하다han cham saeng ga ka da

    think for a long time

Similar words

오래orae: An action or state lasts a long time without a precise duration being given.
오랫동안oraetttongan: An action or state continues steadily across a long stretch of time.
한동안handongan: A temporary situation continues for a while with no clear endpoint.

Definition in Korean

어떤 동작이나 상태가 오래 지속되었거나 오래 이어질 기간을 가리키는 부사.eo tteon tong ja gi na sang tae ga o rae chi sok ttoe eot kkeo na o rae i eo jil kki ga neul ka ri ki neun pu sa

Word origin

The history of 한참 (hancham, "a long while") is uncertain, but the word has become established as an adverb for a period that lasts quite a long time.

Usage tips

  • Unlike an exact time expression, 한참 (hancham, "a long while") highlights that something lasted noticeably long without giving a precise duration.

Other meanings

  • quiteadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word