V + -자마자 – As Soon As / Right After
Meaning: As soon as; right after; the moment that
Conjugation & Pattern
- Verb stem (V) + -자마자 (regardless of batchim: 앉다 -> 앉자마자, 오다 -> 오자마자)
Detailed Usage
Attached to a verb stem to express immediacy: as soon as the action in the first clause ends, the action in the second clause occurs immediately.
Example Sentences
- 1
어제 너무 피곤해서 침대에 눕자마자 잠이 들었어요.
Eoje neomu pigonhaeseo chimdaee nupjamaja jami deureosseoyo.
I was so tired yesterday that I fell asleep as soon as I lay down on the bed.
- 2
집에 돌아오자마자 비누로 손을 깨끗이 씻으세요.
Jibe doraojamaja binuro soneul kkaekkeusi ssiseuseyo.
Wash your hands cleanly with soap as soon as you get back home.
- 3
대학교를 졸업하자마자 취직을 해서 돈을 벌고 싶어요.
Daehakgyoreul joreophajamaja chwijigeul haeseo doneul beolgo sipeoyo.
As soon as I graduate from university, I want to get a job and earn money.
Important Notes
The subjects of the two clauses may be the same or different. Never attach past tense markers ('-았/었-') before '-자마자'; tense is marked only on the final verb.
