벌써 vs 이미

“already”: 벌써 or 이미?

Source-verified September 7, 2026. AI-assisted and checked against NIKL dictionary sources.

The quick answer

이미 states the timing. 벌써 can add “so soon.”

벌써

Can add a “so soon” reaction or mean “long ago.”

아직 겨울이 다 지나가지도 않았는데 옷 가게에는 벌써 봄옷들이 걸려 있다.

Winter is not even over yet, but spring clothes are already hanging in the shops.

이미

Says an event happened before now.

친구는 정신없이 달려왔지만 이미 버스는 떠난 뒤였다.

My friend came running frantically, but the bus had already left.

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Sources and method

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Source examples are adapted from the National Institute of Korean Language's Korean-English Learners' Dictionary under its Attribution-ShareAlike terms.

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