As Soon As (-자마자)
-자마자
Expresses that one action happens immediately after another.
Pattern
Verb stem + -자마자 + Immediate action
Explanation
-자마자 means 'as soon as' and indicates that the second action occurs immediately after the first. It attaches directly to the verb stem regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or consonant: 도착하다 → 도착하자마자, 먹다 → 먹자마자.
For example, 집에 도착하자마자 잠들었어요 means 'As soon as I arrived home, I fell asleep.' The pattern emphasizes the immediacy of the connection between two events, with virtually no gap between them.
-자마자 is always used with past or general present tense in the second clause. It cannot be used with imperative or propositive endings in the main clause. The subjects of the two clauses can be different: 선생님이 들어오자마자 학생들이 조용해졌어요 (As soon as the teacher entered, the students became quiet).
Examples
집에 도착하자마자 잠들었어요.
Jibe dochakhajamaja jamdeureosseoyo.
As soon as I arrived home, I fell asleep.
아침에 일어나자마자 커피를 마셔요.
Achime ireonajamaja keopireul masyeoyo.
As soon as I wake up in the morning, I drink coffee.
수업이 끝나자마자 집에 갔어요.
Sueobi kkeutnajamaja jibe gasseoyo.
As soon as class ended, I went home.
비가 그치자마자 무지개가 떴어요.
Biga geuchijamaja mujigaega tteosseoyo.
As soon as the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
도착했자마자 잠들었어요.
Correct
도착하자마자 잠들었어요.
Do not add past tense to -자마자. The tense is only marked on the second verb.
Wrong
도착하자마자 빨리 오세요.
Correct
도착하면 빨리 오세요.
-자마자 cannot be used with imperative endings. Use -(으)면 for commands with conditions.
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