Usage and Nuance
The adverb '자꾸' is used to express that something happens repeatedly or constantly, often with a slightly negative or bothersome nuance. It is common in everyday conversation when someone wants to emphasize that an action or event occurs more often than desired.
Common Collocations
- 자꾸 ~하다: to keep doing something repeatedly, often implying annoyance or concern.
- 자꾸 생각나다: to keep thinking about something.
- 자꾸 늦다: to keep being late.
Register and Politeness
'자꾸' is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite speech. However, it often appears with polite endings like '-세요' to soften requests or complaints.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '자꾸' with '계속', which also means 'continuously'. '자꾸' often implies repetition with some emotional nuance (annoyance, worry), while '계속' is more neutral and factual. Use '자꾸' when you want to express that something happens repeatedly and it bothers or concerns you.