Korean Dictionary
How to say "Moment" in Korean
“Moment” in Korean is 순간 (pronounced "sungan").
순간
sungan
Usage & Context
The word for moment, a very short period of time. This is commonly used in describing quick events and instances.
Example Sentence
한 순간이에요.
It is just a moment.
How to use 순간 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Moment” is 순간, romanized as sungan.
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 순간.
Pronunciation Guide
'순' (sun) sounds like 'soon' in 'moon'. '간' (gan) sounds like 'gahn', similar to 'gone'. Put them together: 'soon-gahn'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a dramatic or impactful personal experience.
그 순간, 시간이 멈춘 것 같았어요.
At that moment, it felt like time stopped.
Expressing a desire to fully experience something.
한 순간도 놓치고 싶지 않아요.
I don't want to miss even a single moment.
Talking about preserving a memory.
중요한 순간을 사진으로 남겼어요.
I captured the important moment with a photo.
Cultural Context
'순간' is often used to emphasize the brevity or impact of an event. In K-dramas, characters frequently use '그 순간' (that moment) to describe pivotal turning points or emotional revelations. It can also be used in a more casual sense, like '잠깐만요' (just a moment) which is a common way to ask someone to wait briefly. The concept of cherishing 'every moment' is also a popular theme in Korean songs and literature.
Editorial note
We review entries like 순간 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
그 순간
at that moment
순간 이동
teleportation (literally 'moment movement')
순간 포착
capturing the moment
Related Expressions
잠깐
jamkkan
a moment/briefly
찰나
challana
an instant/a fleeting moment (more literary)
때
ttae
time/moment (broader)
순간적으로
sunganjeogeuro
momentarily/instantaneously
More Numbers and Time Words
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