Korean Dictionary
How to say "Already" in Korean
“Already” in Korean is 이미 (pronounced "imi").
이미
imi
Usage & Context
The word for already, indicating something has happened before now. This is commonly used in past tense and completed actions.
Example Sentence
나는 이미 밥을 먹었어요.
I have already eaten.
How to use 이미 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Already” is 이미, romanized as imi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 이미.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "i" like the 'ee' in 'see', and "mi" like 'me' in 'meet'. Both syllables have a relatively even stress.
More Example Sentences
Declining an offer to go to lunch with someone.
저는 이미 점심을 먹었어요.
I already ate lunch.
Suggesting a different movie to watch with friends.
그 영화는 이미 봤어요.
I've already seen that movie.
Reporting completion of tasks to a parent or teacher.
숙제는 이미 다 끝냈어요.
I already finished all my homework.
Cultural Context
이미 signifies that an action or state has been completed prior to the current moment. It's often used with past tense verbs and can sometimes carry a nuance of 'too late' or 'it's done, so don't worry'. In K-dramas, you might hear it when a character reveals they already knew something or took action before others.
Editorial note
We review entries like 이미 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
이미 늦었어요
It's already too late.
이미 알고 있었어
I already knew (it).
이미 결정된 일
something already decided
Related Expressions
벌써
beolsseo
already (often with surprise)
아직
ajik
still, not yet
나중에
najung-e
later
지금
jigeum
now
More Numbers and Time Words
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