Level 4

어느덧

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Meaning and Usage

"어느덧" is an adverb used to express that something has happened or changed before one realized it. It often conveys a sense of surprise or reflection on how quickly time has passed or a situation has changed.

Common Contexts

You will frequently hear "어느덧" in everyday conversation when talking about time passing, seasons changing, or events occurring unexpectedly fast.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 어느덧 + time expression: emphasizes how quickly time has passed (e.g., 어느덧 한 달이 지났다 - Before I knew it, a month passed).
  • 어느덧 + verb in past tense: to describe a change that happened without noticing (e.g., 어느덧 해가 졌다 - The sun set before I realized).

Register and Politeness

"어느덧" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without changing form.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "어느덧" with "언제나" (always) or "언젠가" (someday). Remember, "어느덧" specifically highlights the unnoticed passage of time or change, not frequency or future uncertainty.

Example Sentences

어느덧 봄이 와서 꽃이 피었어요.

Eoneudeot bomi waseo kkochi pieosseoyo.

Before I knew it, spring came and the flowers bloomed.

어느덧 시간이 이렇게 많이 흘렀네요.

Eoneudeot sigani ireoke mani heulleonneoyo.

Before one knows it, so much time has passed.

어느덧 어두워져서 집에 가야 할 시간이에요.

Eoneudeot eoduwajyeoseo jibe gaya hal siganieyo.

Before I realized it got dark, it's already time to go home.