언제

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean 언제 (Yale: encey). From 어느 (enu, “what”) + 적 (cek, “time”) + 의 (-uy, “at”), literally "at what time".

In Middle Korean the word was strictly a question word; the indefinite meaning developed in the eighteenth century.

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈɘ(ː)ɲd͡ʑe̞]
• Phonetic hangul: [언(ː)제]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eonje
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eonje
McCune–Reischauer?	ŏnje
Yale Romanization?	ēn.cey

Pronoun

언제 • (eonje)

1. when

   언제가 네 생일이니?

   Eonje-ga ne saeng'iri-ni?

   When is your birthday?

Derived terms

• 언제쯤 (eonjejjeum, “about when”)

Adverb

언제 • (eonje)

1. when
2. sometime, any time

   언제 한번 만나 소주 한 잔 합시다.

   Eonje hanbeon manna soju han jan hapsida.

   Let's get together and have a glass of soju some time.

   할머니 댁은 언제 가도 마음이 편하다.

   Halmeoni daeg-eun eonje gado ma'eum-i pyeonhada.

   Any time (whenever) I go to my grandmother's I feel comfortable.