Meaning and Usage
"언제나" means "always" or "every time" and is used to express something that happens consistently or without exception. It is a common adverb in everyday Korean and is neutral in formality, suitable for both spoken and written language.
Common Collocations
- 언제나 그렇다: "always like that" – used to describe a habitual or typical situation.
- 언제나 건강하다: "always healthy" – often used in wishes or statements about well-being.
- 언제나 믿다: "always trust" – expressing continuous trust or belief.
Nuances
Using "언제나" emphasizes the constancy or reliability of an action or state. It can replace "항상" (also meaning "always") but sometimes sounds a bit softer or more poetic.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "언제나" with "언젠가" (meaning "sometime" or "one day"). Remember, "언제나" means "always," while "언젠가" refers to an unspecified time in the future.
Register
"언제나" is neutral and polite enough for everyday conversation and writing. It is not overly formal or casual.