Level 3

자꾸만

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Meaning and Usage

"자꾸만" is an adverb used to emphasize repeated or continuous actions or occurrences, often with a slightly negative or bothersome nuance. It is stronger than simply "자꾸" and implies that something happens persistently or annoyingly.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "자꾸만" when someone complains about repeated interruptions, persistent thoughts, or habitual behaviors that cause inconvenience or concern.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 자꾸만 ~ 하다: to keep doing something repeatedly, often annoyingly
  • 자꾸만 생각나다: to keep thinking about something
  • 자꾸만 늦다: to keep being late

Register and Politeness

"자꾸만" is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite speech. It is common in everyday conversation.

Learner Tips

Be careful not to confuse "자꾸만" with "자주" (often). "자꾸만" emphasizes repeated occurrence with a sense of annoyance or persistence, while "자주" simply means frequency without emotional nuance.

Example Sentences

그는 자꾸만 전화를 걸어서 불편해요.

Geuneun jakkuman jeonhwareul georeoseo bulpyeonhaeyo.

He keeps calling repeatedly, so it's uncomfortable.

자꾸만 생각이 나서 일을 못 하겠어요.

Jakkuman saenggagi naseo ireul mot hagesseoyo.

I keep thinking about it, so I can't work.

자꾸만 늦으면 신뢰를 잃을 수 있어요.

Jakkuman neut-eumyeon sinlyeoreul ilheul su isseoyo.

If you keep being late repeatedly, you might lose trust.