When it feels like something will last forever
영원할 것만 같았어요
[It felt like it would last forever.]
Real Pattern
This expresses a past feeling or assumption that a certain state or moment would continue indefinitely. It often carries a hint of nostalgia or the realization that things have, in fact, changed. It's like looking back and thinking, "I really thought that good time would never end."
Pattern Application
어릴 때는 방학이 영원할 것만 같았어요. — When I was young, it felt like school vacation would last forever.
그와 함께한 시간은 영원할 것만 같았는데, 벌써 10년이 지났네요. — The time I spent with him felt like it would be eternal, but 10 years have already passed.
Tip
You can replace 영원하다 (to be eternal) with other verbs or adjectives to say "it felt like..." For example, 괜찮을 것만 같았어요 (I thought it would be okay).
영원할 것만 같았어요
Dismissing something as far away
아직 멀었는걸
[It's still far away.]
Real Pattern
This is a casual, slightly dismissive way to say that something is a long way off in the future. It implies there's no need to worry about it right now. The ~는걸 ending adds a nuance of gentle contradiction or stating a personal observation.
Pattern Application
A: 시험공부 시작해야지! B: 에이, 시험은 아직 멀었는걸. — A: You should start studying for the exam! B: Nah, the exam is still far away.
결혼이요? 저는 아직 멀었는걸요. — Marriage? Oh, that's still a long way off for me.
Tip
This phrase is quite informal. In a more formal setting, you might say 아직 멀었습니다.
아직 멀었는걸
When things happen faster than you think
생각보다 빨리
[Faster than I thought.]
Real Pattern
This is an extremely common and useful phrase to express that something happened more quickly than you anticipated. You can attach it to verbs to describe any situation that unfolds faster than expected.