아직
ajik
still / not yet (ongoing or unreached state)
벌써
beolsseo
already (sooner than expected)
아직 vs 벌써: Still/Not Yet vs Already in Korean
아직 (ajik) expresses that a state continues or an action has not happened yet, while 벌써 (beolsseo) expresses that something has happened sooner than expected, equivalent to "already."
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 아직 (ajik) | 벌써 (beolsseo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Meaning | Something continues (still) or has not occurred yet (not yet) | Something has happened earlier than expected (already) |
| With Positive Verb | 아직 + positive verb = still doing: 아직 자고 있어요 (still sleeping) | 벌써 + positive verb = already done: 벌써 도착했어요 (already arrived) |
| With Negative Verb | 아직 + 안/못 = not yet: 아직 안 먹었어요 (haven't eaten yet) | 벌써 + 안/못 is unusual — 벌써 pairs naturally with positive completion |
| Emotional Tone | Neutral or slightly impatient when in questions | Surprise or mild disbelief that time passed so fast |
| Question Form | 아직 안 왔어요? (Haven't they come yet?) | 벌써 왔어요? (They're already here?) |
Examples in Context
Checking if someone has finished their assignment — using 아직
아직 숙제 안 했어요.
I haven't done my homework yet.
Saying the store is still open — using 아직
그 가게는 아직 열려 있어요.
That store is still open.
Being surprised your friend finished eating so fast — using 벌써
벌써 다 먹었어요?
You already finished eating?
Noticing how fast time passed — using 벌써
벌써 12시야. 시간이 정말 빠르다.
It's already midnight. Time flies so fast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 벌써 with a negative verb to mean "not yet" — 아직 is the correct word for "not yet"; 벌써 pairs with completed or positive actions
- ✗Forgetting that 아직 + positive verb = still (ongoing), not "not yet" — 아직 자요 means "still sleeping," not "haven't slept yet"
- ✗Confusing 이미 (imi, already in a neutral sense) with 벌써 (already with surprise) — 이미 is neutral and factual; 벌써 carries the nuance of unexpected earliness
- ✗Placing 아직 or 벌써 at the end of the sentence — both are adverbs and should come before the verb or at the beginning of the clause
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 벌써 and 이미?
Both mean "already" but 벌써 carries surprise or emphasis that something happened sooner than expected. 이미 is more neutral and matter-of-fact: 이미 결정됐어요 (it has already been decided — stated plainly).
Can 아직 be used in a positive sentence?
Yes. 아직 + positive ongoing verb = still: 아직 학생이에요 (I am still a student), 아직 기다리고 있어요 (I am still waiting). Add a negative to get "not yet."
How do I ask "Is it done yet?" in Korean?
아직 안 됐어요? (Is it not done yet?) or 다 됐어요? (Is it all done?) Both are natural ways to check on progress.
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