-ㄴ/는 지
Since
Used to mark the starting point in time from which a duration is measured. It translates to 'since (doing something)'.
How It Works
This pattern is essential for talking about durations. It marks a completed past action as the starting point for measuring time.
Conjugation:
- Verbs ending in a vowel: Add -ㄴ 지
- 오다 (to come) → 온 지
- 만나다 (to meet) → 만난 지 - Verbs ending in a consonant: Add -은 지
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹은 지
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽은 지
Common Usage:
It is almost always followed by verbs that indicate the passage of time, such as:
- 되다: it has been...
- 넘다: it has been over...
- 지나다: ... has passed
For example, '한국에 온 지 1년이 됐어요' means 'It has been 1 year since I came to Korea.'
Important Distinction:
Do not confuse this with the grammar pattern -ㄴ/는지, which means 'whether' or 'if'. Two things tell them apart. First, spacing: -ㄴ/은 지 ('since') is written with a space before 지, as in 온 지, while -는지 ('whether') is joined to the verb, as in 왔는지 or 먹는지. Second, the verb at the end of the sentence: 'since' goes with 되다, 넘다, or 지나다, while 'whether' goes with 알다, 모르다, or similar verbs. Note that -는지 can also be about the past (어제 뭐 먹었는지 기억 안 나요) and can follow adjectives.
Examples (5)
- 한국에 온 지 1년이 되었어요.
It's been one year since I came to Korea.
Word by Word: To Korea came since 1 year became.
- 이 책을 다 읽은 지 3일밖에 안 됐어요.
It's only been three days since I finished reading this book.
Word by Word: This book all read since 3 days only not became.
- 남자친구와 헤어진 지 얼마나 됐어요?
How long has it been since you broke up with your boyfriend?
Word by Word: With boyfriend broke up since how long has it been?
- 결혼한 지 10년이 넘었어요.
It has been over 10 years since we got married.
Word by Word: Married since 10 years has been over.
- 점심을 먹은 지 얼마 안 돼서 배가 안 고파요.
I'm not hungry because it hasn't been long since I ate lunch.
Word by Word: Lunch ate since much not become so stomach not hungry.
This shows how the '-ㄴ/은 지' clause can be used as a reason in a larger sentence, often combined with -아/어서.
Common Mistakes
Using -는 지 instead of -ㄴ/은 지 for 'since'.
Not Quite한국에 오는 지 1년 됐어요.Better한국에 온 지 1년 됐어요.'-는 지' is a different grammar pattern, -ㄴ/는지, which means 'whether' or 'if'. For expressing time 'since' a completed action, you must use the past tense modifier form -ㄴ/은.
Confusing the time-based meaning of 'since' with the reason-based meaning ('because').
Not Quite비가 온 지 학교에 안 갔어요.Better비가 와서 학교에 안 갔어요.In English, 'since' can mean 'because'. However, in Korean, '-ㄴ/은 지' ONLY refers to the passage of time. To give a reason, you must use a pattern like -아/어서 or -기 때문에.
Learn This First
To express duration 'since', you need modifier forms and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -ㄴ지/는지Whether, If
This pattern means 'whether' or 'if' and is often confused with '-ㄴ/은 지' due to its similar sound and appearance. The key differences are spacing and the verb that follows. '-ㄴ/은 지' (since) is written with a space (온 지) and goes with 되다, 넘다, or 지나다. '-는지' (whether) is joined to the verb (왔는지) and goes with 알다, 모르다, and similar verbs. It can be about the past, present, or future.
- -ㄴ 다음에/후에After -ing
Means 'after doing something'. While both patterns refer to a completed action, '-ㄴ 다음에/후에' focuses on the sequence of events (what happened next), whereas '-ㄴ/은 지' focuses on the duration of time that has passed since the event.
- -는 동안While, During
Means 'while' or 'during'. This describes a period of time in which an action is happening. It contrasts with '-ㄴ/은 지', which marks the starting point of a time period that continues to the present.
- 되다Become, Be Allowed
The verb '되다' (to become, it has been) is the most common verb paired with '-ㄴ/은 지' to state how much time has passed, as in '1년이 됐어요' (it has been one year).
- -자마자As Soon as
Means 'as soon as'. This emphasizes the immediacy of the next action, while '-ㄴ/은 지' emphasizes the time gap between the first action and the present moment.