Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 6 - Upper-Intermediate Korean #1 (Lessons 151 to 180) ᚛ Lesson 162 - As soon as in Korean #2 [-는 대로]

As soon as in Korean #2 [-는 대로]

In this course: 는 대로

Expressing immediacy

In the lesson on accordance in Korean, we studied the -(으)ㄴ/는 대로 structure to express the idea that an action is carried out in accordance with another action.

In this chapter, we are going to see that -는 대로 can have a completely different meaning, that of expressing the fact that an action takes place as soon as another action has been completed. In English, the -는 대로 form is translated as "as soon as" or "right after".

It is used in the following manner:
[Action 1: … Present adjectival form] 대로 [Action 2]

Reminder: the adjectival form

Note that, unlike the accordance structure in -(으)ㄴ/는 대로, the one expressing the immediacy of an action can only be used with the present adjectival form, and it is the verb of the second action that gives the tense of the sentence.

내일 한국에 도착하는 대로 부모님께 제일 먼저 전화를 드릴게요.
→ As soon as I arrive in Korea tomorrow, I will call my parents first.

사장님께서 메일을 보는 대로 최대한 빨리 답장을 해 주셔야 업무를 진행할 수 있습니다.
→ Sir, as soon as you see the email, you need to reply as quickly as possible so that we can move forward with the work.

그러면 3개월의 수습 기간을 마치는 대로 정규직 사원이 되는 건가요?
→ So, do I become a full-time employee as soon as I finish the three-month probation period?

지민이는 시험 준비로 매우 바빴지만 틈이 나는 대로 운동을 꾸준히 했어.
→ Jimin was very busy preparing for his exam, but he worked out regularly as soon as he had a free moment.

팀장님께서 이번 주까지 할 수 있는 대로 보고서 작성을 마무리해서 제출하라고 하셨어요.
→ The team leader told me to finish writing the report and submit it as soon as possible, by the end of this week at the latest.

Differences between -자마자 and -는 대로

In a previous lesson, we saw the -자마자 form to express "as soon as" in Korean. One may then wonder what nuance there is between -자마자 and -는 대로.

These two structures are very similar and often interchangeable. Note that, in everyday life, the -자마자 form is nonetheless more widespread, and the -는 대로 form may sound more formal.

Nevertheless, there are a few cases where one or the other of these structures is preferable.

When to use -자마자 and not -는 대로

When to use -는 대로 and not -자마자

Exercises

Podcasts in Korean specially designed for beginners, to learn Korean by really listening to it from the very beginning.

You’re starting to learn Korean (or you already know the basics), but as soon as you listen to spoken Korean, everything suddenly feels too fast?
The words blend together, the pronunciation escapes you, and you feel like “real Korean” is very different from what you learned in textbooks.

That’s normal!
Listening comprehension is the most difficult part for all beginners.

Learn more

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