Korean Frequency Adverbs: Always, Often, Sometimes

What Are Frequency Adverbs?

Frequency adverbs, or 빈도 부사 (bindo busa) in Korean, are words that describe how often an action takes place. They answer the question "How often?".

In a typical Korean sentence, these adverbs are placed just before the verb or predicate they are describing.

Common Placement

Subject + (Other elements) + Frequency Adverb + Predicate

저는 자주 영화를 봐요.

I often watch movies.

High Frequency: 항상, 자주, 보통

These adverbs are used for actions that happen on a regular basis. Think of them on a scale from "always" to "usually."

Adverb · Meaning · Frequency

항상 (hangsang) · always · ~100%

자주 (jaju) · often, frequently · High

보통 (botong) · usually, normally · Typical

Examples

항상 : 저는 아침을 항상 먹어요. (I always eat breakfast.)

자주 : 저는 친구를 자주 만나요. (I often meet my friends.)

보통 : 주말에는 보통 집에서 쉬어요. (On weekends, I usually rest at home.)

Lower Frequency: 가끔, 별로, 거의

These adverbs cover actions that happen sometimes, not very often, or almost never.

가끔 - Sometimes

This is a neutral adverb used for things that happen occasionally.

저는 가끔 혼자 여행을 가요. (I sometimes travel alone.)

Adverbs Used with Negatives

The adverbs 별로 and 거의 are special. They are typically paired with a negative verb form, like 안 or -지 않다 , to express low frequency.

별로 안... (not really / not often)

저는 커피를 별로 안 좋아해요. (I don't really like coffee.)

거의 안... (almost never / hardly)

요즘은 바빠서 운동을 거의 못 해요. (I'm busy these days so I can hardly exercise.)

Remember: Think of 별로 and 거의 as partners with negative endings. Using them with a positive verb is uncommon and can sound unnatural.

Zero Frequency and Questions

Finally, let's look at how to say something never happens and how to ask about frequency.

전혀 안... - Not at all (0%)

Like 별로 and 거의 , 전혀 is used with a negative verb to express zero frequency. It's a strong negation.

저는 술을 전혀 안 마셔요. (I don't drink alcohol at all .)

Asking "How often?"

To ask about the frequency of an action, use the question phrase 얼마나 자주 (eolmana jaju), which literally means "how much often?".

얼마나 자주 한국 드라마를 봐요? ( How often do you watch Korean dramas?)

얼마나 자주 운동해요? ( How often do you exercise?)

Quick review

전혀 안 (not at all/0%)

Ask with: 얼마나 자주?

What Are Frequency Adverbs?

Frequency adverbs, or 빈도 부사 (bindo busa) in Korean, are words that describe how often an action takes place. They answer the question "How often?".

In a typical Korean sentence, these adverbs are placed just before the verb or predicate they are describing.

Common Placement

Subject + (Other elements) + Frequency Adverb + Predicate

저는 자주 영화를 봐요.
I often watch movies.

What Are Frequency Adverbs?

Frequency adverbs, or 빈도 부사 (bindo busa) in Korean, are words that describe how often an action takes place. They answer the question "How often?".

In a typical Korean sentence, these adverbs are placed just before the verb or predicate they are describing.

Common Placement

Subject + (Other elements) + Frequency Adverb + Predicate

저는 자주 영화를 봐요.

I often watch movies.

High Frequency: 항상, 자주, 보통

These adverbs are used for actions that happen on a regular basis. Think of them on a scale from "always" to "usually."

Adverb · Meaning · Frequency

항상 (hangsang) · always · ~100%

자주 (jaju) · often, frequently · High

보통 (botong) · usually, normally · Typical

Examples

항상 : 저는 아침을 항상 먹어요. (I always eat breakfast.)

자주 : 저는 친구를 자주 만나요. (I often meet my friends.)

보통 : 주말에는 보통 집에서 쉬어요. (On weekends, I usually rest at home.)

Lower Frequency: 가끔, 별로, 거의

These adverbs cover actions that happen sometimes, not very often, or almost never.

가끔 - Sometimes

This is a neutral adverb used for things that happen occasionally.

저는 가끔 혼자 여행을 가요. (I sometimes travel alone.)

Adverbs Used with Negatives

The adverbs 별로 and 거의 are special. They are typically paired with a negative verb form, like 안 or -지 않다 , to express low frequency.

별로 안... (not really / not often)

저는 커피를 별로 안 좋아해요. (I don't really like coffee.)

거의 안... (almost never / hardly)

요즘은 바빠서 운동을 거의 못 해요. (I'm busy these days so I can hardly exercise.)

Remember: Think of 별로 and 거의 as partners with negative endings. Using them with a positive verb is uncommon and can sound unnatural.

Zero Frequency and Questions

Finally, let's look at how to say something never happens and how to ask about frequency.

전혀 안... - Not at all (0%)

Like 별로 and 거의 , 전혀 is used with a negative verb to express zero frequency. It's a strong negation.

저는 술을 전혀 안 마셔요. (I don't drink alcohol at all .)

Asking "How often?"

To ask about the frequency of an action, use the question phrase 얼마나 자주 (eolmana jaju), which literally means "how much often?".

얼마나 자주 한국 드라마를 봐요? ( How often do you watch Korean dramas?)

얼마나 자주 운동해요? ( How often do you exercise?)

Quick review

전혀 안 (not at all/0%)

Ask with: 얼마나 자주?