Meaning and Usage
The adverb '영원히' means 'forever' or 'eternally.' It is used to express something lasting without end, often in emotional or poetic contexts such as love, memory, or friendship.
Common Collocations
- 영원히 사랑하다: to love forever
- 영원히 기억하다: to remember forever
- 영원히 변하지 않다: to never change forever
These phrases emphasize permanence and deep emotional commitment.
Register and Nuance
'영원히' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It often appears in romantic, sentimental, or solemn contexts. Avoid using it for temporary or short-term situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '영원히' with '항상' (always). '항상' means 'always' but does not imply eternity, whereas '영원히' stresses an unending duration. Use '영원히' when you want to emphasize something lasting forever, not just frequently or habitually.