N+간

Overview

N+간 is a particle used to express the duration or length of time an action, state, or event continues. It attaches directly to nouns that represent a unit of time or a specific event, signifying the entire period from start to finish.

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Usage

N+간 is primarily used with time-related nouns such as 시간 (hour), 일 (day), 주 (week), 월 (month), 년 (year), 방학 (vacation), 휴가 (holiday), etc., to indicate "for [that period of time]". It highlights the entirety or continuity of the duration, suggesting that something happened or continued throughout the specified span.

It can also attach to nouns referring to events or states to mean "during" or "throughout" that event or state, though this usage is less common than with explicit time units. For example, '근무 시간 간' (during working hours).

While often interchangeable with ~동안, N+간 can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or precise nuance, especially in written or official contexts. It strictly attaches to nouns, unlike ~동안 which can also follow verb phrases (V-는 동안).

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Conjugation Rules

N+간 is straightforward to use as it simply attaches directly to the noun without any changes, regardless of whether the noun ends in a consonant or a vowel.

• Noun + 간
  • 세 시간 + 간 → 세 시간 간 (for three hours)
  • 일주일 + 간 → 일주일 간 (for one week)
  • 방학 + 간 → 방학 간 (during vacation)

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Knowledge Plus

• Interchangeability with ~동안: For specific time units, N+간 is often interchangeable with N+동안. For instance, '세 시간 간' and '세 시간 동안' both mean 'for three hours'. However, ~동안 is more versatile as it can also follow verb phrases (e.g., 제가 자는 동안 - while I was sleeping), whereas N+간 is strictly for nouns.
• Nuance: While both express duration, N+간 can sometimes emphasize the span itself, making it feel a bit more formal or definitive. It's frequently used in official announcements or schedules.
• Not to be confused with ~사이에: The particle '간' can also mean 'between' when used in contexts like '친구 간' (between friends) or '나라 간' (between countries). However, in this grammar point (N+간), its function is solely to denote duration.
• Common Usage: It is very common with numerical time expressions (e.g., 며칠 간, 몇 년 간).