Meaning and Usage
"인제" is a colloquial and somewhat regional Korean adverb meaning "now" or "from now on." It is often used in spoken language to indicate the present moment or a point in time starting immediately.
Nuance and Register
This word carries a casual tone and is more common in conversational Korean, especially in certain dialects like the Gyeongsang dialect. It is less formal than 지금 (jigeum), which also means "now."
Common Collocations
- 인제부터 (inje-buteo): "from now on" — used to mark the starting point of a new situation or behavior.
- 인제 와서 (inje waseo): "now that (someone) has come" — often used to suggest doing something after arrival.
- 인제 그만 (inje geuman): "now stop" — used to tell someone to stop doing something immediately.
Usage Tips
Learners sometimes confuse 인제 with 지금. While both mean "now," 인제 often implies a change or a new phase starting now, or a sense of immediacy in a casual context. Avoid using 인제 in very formal writing or speech.
Summary
Use 인제 to express "now" in informal, spoken Korean, especially when emphasizing a new starting point or immediacy. Pair it with particles like 부터 to indicate "from now on."