While I'm at it

This pattern is used when you take advantage of the opportunity presented by one action to perform another related or convenient action. It's equivalent to saying "while I'm at it," "since I'm already doing this," or "on the occasion of..."

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: It connects two clauses, where the action in the first clause creates a convenient opportunity or reason for the action in the second clause.

When to use: Use it when you want to add a secondary task that is efficient to do along with a primary task. For example, grabbing groceries on your way home from work.

Formation

This pattern attaches directly to verb stems.

Present Tense (Action in progress/planned): Verb stem + -는 김에

가다 → 가는 김에 (While going)

하다 → 하는 김에 (While doing)

Past Tense (Action completed): Verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 김에

Vowel-ending stem: -ㄴ 김에 (e.g., 오다 → 온 김에)

Consonant-ending stem: -은 김에 (e.g., 먹다 → 먹은 김에)

나가는 김에 쓰레기 좀 버려줘. / 말 나온 김에 지금 정하자. / 백화점 간 김에 옷을 샀어요.

The choice between the present tense -는 김에 and the past tense -(으)ㄴ 김에 depends on the timing and status of the first action.

-는 김에 (Present Tense)

Use this when the first action is currently in progress or is about to happen. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the opportunity.

Context: You are in the process of cleaning. Someone asks you to clean their room too.

Example: 청소하는 김에 제 방도 좀 해줘요. (Since you're cleaning anyway, please do my room too.)

-(으)ㄴ 김에 (Past Tense)

Use this when the first action is already completed, or has created a new state that provides the opportunity.

Context: You have just turned on the computer. Now that it's on, you decide to check your email.

Example: 컴퓨터 켠 김에 이메일 확인했어요. (Since I'd turned on the computer, I checked my email.)

Another example: 일어난 김에 물 좀 줘. (Since you're [already] up, get me some water.) Here, 일어나다 is a completed action that resulted in the state of being awake.

가는 김에 빵 좀 사다 줘. / 거기 간 김에 친구 만났어. / 세수하는 김에 양치질도 했어. / 깬 김에 공부해야지.

The clause following -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 often falls into a few common categories, making the pattern very useful for everyday interactions.

Making a Request: -(아/어) 주다

This is one of the most frequent uses. You see someone doing something and ask them to do a small extra favor for you.

나가는 김에 쓰레기 좀 버려줘. (Since you're going out, please take out the trash.)

Making a Suggestion: -자 or -(으)ㅂ시다

When an opportunity arises, you can use it to suggest a follow-up action for you and the listener(s) to do together.

말 나온 김에 지금 정하자. (Since we've brought it up, let's decide now.)

Stating an Additional Action

You can also simply state what you did, taking advantage of the situation.

백화점 간 김에 옷을 샀어. (Since I was at the department store, I bought clothes.)

찾는 김에 제 것도 찾아줘요. / 시작한 김에 끝내요. / 거기 간 김에 친구 만났어요.

The pattern -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 itself does not change based on politeness. Instead, the formality of your sentence is determined entirely by the verb ending in the final clause.

Casual Language (반말)

Use casual endings like -아/어, -자, or -아/어 줘 when speaking to close friends, family, or people younger than you.

시작한 김에 끝내자. (Since we started, let's finish.)

마트 간 김에 내 것도 사다 줘. (Since you're at the mart, buy mine too.)

Polite Language (해요체)

Use polite endings like -아/어요 or -아요/어요 for most daily conversations with colleagues, acquaintances, or service staff.

시작한 김에 끝내요. (Since we started, let's finish.)

마트 간 김에 제 것도 사다 줘요. (Since you're at the mart, please buy mine too.)

일어난 김에 물 좀 줘. / 일어난 김에 물 좀 줘요. / 커피 타는 김에 내 것도 부탁해. / 커피 타는 김에 제 것도 부탁해요.