What mistake do English speakers make with 순간?

순간 ≠ 시간 (time in general). 순간 = a specific brief moment. 시간 = time as a continuous concept.

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순간

sungan

moment / instant

What it means

순간 means a moment or instant — a fleeting point in time. 이 순간 = this moment. 순간을 기억하다 = to remember the moment. Very poetic in K-pop lyrics about cherishing fleeting moments.

Nuance & when to use

순간이 = the moment when. 그 순간 = at that moment. 최고의 순간 = the best moment. 순간순간 = moment by moment. K-pop ballads frequently feature 순간 to express the preciousness of time spent with loved ones. 이 순간을 영원히 기억할게요 = I'll remember this moment forever.

Example sentences

이 순간을 기억해요. I sungan-eul gieokaeyo. I'll remember this moment.

그 순간이 잊혀지지 않아요. Geu sungan-i ijyeojiji anayo. I can't forget that moment.

References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗

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순간

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