Meaning and Usage
The adverb '잠시' means 'for a short time' or 'for a moment.' It is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate a brief pause or a short duration.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '잠시' when someone asks you to wait briefly, when planning to do something after a short break, or when suggesting a quick rest.
Collocations and Patterns
- 잠시만: a polite way to say 'just a moment' or 'please wait briefly.'
- 잠시 후에: 'after a short while,' used to indicate something will happen soon.
- 잠시 쉬다: 'to rest for a short time.'
Register and Politeness
'잠시' is neutral and polite enough for most daily situations. It fits well in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '잠시' with longer time expressions like '조금' (a little) or '잠깐' (a very brief moment). '잠시' usually implies a short but slightly longer duration than '잠깐.' Use '잠시' when you want to express a short but noticeable pause.