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Lv 4Grammar expressionSeen on past TOPIK papersIntermediate · TOPIK II

-기 무섭게

as soon as ~ / no sooner than ~

Attaches to a verb stem to show that a second action happened immediately, almost instantly, after the first; a vivid, slightly more emphatic alternative to -자마자.

Examples

  • 수업이 끝나기 무섭게 학생들이 교실을 뛰쳐나갔다.

    As soon as class ended, the students dashed out of the classroom.

  • 문을 열기 무섭게 손님들이 몰려들었다.

    No sooner had the door opened than customers rushed in.

  • 그는 월급을 받기 무섭게 다 써 버린다.

    He spends his whole paycheck almost the moment he gets it.

Examples written by Korea TOPIK Center.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-기 무섭게’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “as soon as ~ / no sooner than ~”?