Meaning and Usage
"그럼" is a common Korean interjection used to mean "then," "in that case," or "well then." It is often used to connect sentences logically or to respond to a previous statement, implying a conclusion or a next step.
Common Contexts
You will hear "그럼" frequently in everyday conversations when making decisions, confirming plans, or transitioning topics. It can be polite or neutral depending on the sentence ending.
Collocations and Patterns
- 그럼 + verb ending (e.g., 그럼 시작하겠습니다): used to start or proceed with an action after agreement.
- 그럼 어떻게 (e.g., 그럼 어떻게 해야 돼요?): asking for instructions or clarification based on previous information.
- 그럼 내일 (e.g., 그럼 내일 만나요): confirming plans or arrangements.
Nuances and Tips
"그럼" is often used to smoothly continue conversations or to show agreement with a previous statement. It is less formal than "그러면" but more common in spoken Korean. Avoid confusing "그럼" with "그럼에도 불구하고" (meaning "nevertheless"), which is a different expression.
Use "그럼" to sound natural and polite when responding or moving conversations forward.