-ㄴ/는 김에
While You're at It
Used when you take the opportunity of doing one action to also do another related action. It translates to 'while you're at it' or 'since you're already doing X, you might as well do Y'.
How It Works
This pattern is used to express that the action in the second clause is performed by taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the action in the first clause. The two actions are usually related by location, time, or purpose.
Conjugation Rules:
It attaches to the stems of action verbs.
1. Present Tense: -는 김에
Used for an action that is currently happening or is planned to happen. It attaches directly to the verb stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 김에
- 보다 (to see) → 보는 김에
- 만들다 (to make) → 만드는 김에 (ㄹ is not dropped)
2. Past Tense: -은/ㄴ 김에
Used for an action that has already started or just been completed, creating the current opportunity.
- Verb stem ending in a vowel + -ㄴ 김에: 오다 (to come) → 온 김에
- Verb stem ending in a consonant + -은 김에: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹은 김에
This pattern is very similar to the English phrase 'while you're at it' or 'since you're already...'. For example, if you are going to the post office, that creates an opportunity to also mail a letter for a friend. You would use -는 김에 to express this.
It's different from -면서 or -는 동안, which just mean two actions are happening at the same time. -ㄴ/는 김에 has the specific nuance of seizing an opportunity.
Examples (4)
- 시내에 가는 김에 제 책도 좀 사다 주세요.
Since you're going downtown, please buy my book for me too.
Word by Word: To downtown going while-at-it my book also please buy and give.
The action of 'going downtown' (가는) creates the opportunity to 'buy a book'.
- 여기까지 온 김에 바다나 보고 가요.
Since we've come all this way, let's at least see the sea before we go.
Word by Word: To here came while-at-it sea or something see and go.
The past tense -ㄴ 김에 is used here. The completed action of 'coming here' (온) provides the chance to 'see the sea'.
- 컴퓨터를 켠 김에 이메일을 확인했어요.
Since I had turned on the computer anyway, I checked my email.
Word by Word: Computer turned-on while-at-it email checked.
Turning on the computer (켠) created a convenient moment to also check email.
- 옷장 정리하는 김에 안 입는 옷들을 버렸어요.
While I was at it organizing the closet, I threw away clothes I don't wear.
Word by Word: Closet organizing while-at-it not wearing clothes threw away.
The main task was organizing the closet, which provided a good opportunity to do the related task of throwing away old clothes.
Common Mistakes
Using -ㄴ/는 김에 with descriptive verbs (adjectives).
Different Meaning날씨가 좋은 김에 산책했어요.Better산책하러 나간 김에 쓰레기도 버렸어요.-ㄴ/는 김에 must be attached to an action verb. '좋다' (to be good) is a descriptive verb. To express a similar meaning, you would use a different pattern like -아/어서 or -ㄴ/는데, e.g., '날씨가 좋아서 산책했어요' (I went for a walk because the weather was good).
Confusing -ㄴ/는 김에 with -는 길에 (on the way).
Different Meaning은행에 가는 김에 친구를 만났어요.Better은행에 가는 길에 친구를 만났어요.While the incorrect example isn't totally wrong, -는 길에 is much more natural and specific for meeting someone while physically traveling somewhere. Use -는 길에 for events that happen 'on the way'. Use -ㄴ/는 김에 when the first action provides a general opportunity, not just a physical path. For example, '은행에 간 김에 공과금도 냈어요' (Since I went to the bank, I also paid the utility bills) is perfect because going to the bank is the opportunity.
Learn This First
To express 'while you're at it', you need modifier forms and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -는 길에On the Way to, While Going
Both can mean 'while doing something'. However, -는 길에 is specific to being physically 'on the way' somewhere. -ㄴ/는 김에 is broader and refers to taking advantage of any opportunity, not just travel.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 겸While Doing, In Addition to
Both involve doing two actions. -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 겸 expresses doing one action for two intended purposes (e.g., 'I exercise to lose weight and relieve stress'). -ㄴ/는 김에 is about seizing an opportunity presented by the first action to do a second, often secondary, action.
- -는 동안While, During
-는 동안 simply means 'while' or 'during', indicating two actions happening in the same timeframe. It lacks the specific nuance of 'taking the opportunity' that is central to -ㄴ/는 김에.
- -다가While Doing, Then
-다가 indicates a shift or interruption from one action to another. -ㄴ/는 김에 shows the first action creating a convenient context for the second, rather than being interrupted by it.