Core Pattern Rule: -자마자 (As soon as)
This pattern connects two clauses to show that the second action happens immediately after the first one is completed. There is virtually no time gap between the two events.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "As soon as," "right after," "the moment that..."
When to use: Use it to link two events that happen in quick succession. The first action is the direct trigger for the second.
Formation
Rule: Attach -자마자 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
No Tense: The verb before -자마자 is always in its dictionary form (stem). The tense of the entire sentence is expressed in the final verb of the second clause.
Examples:
가다 (to go) + -자마자 → 가자마자
먹다 (to eat) + -자마자 → 먹자마자
눕다 (to lie down) + -자마자 → 눕자마자
눕자마자 잠들었어. / 월급 들어오자마자 다 썼어요. / 집에 오자마자 씻었어. / 졸업하자마자 취직했어요.
Native Nuance & Mistakes
Understanding a few key points will make your use of -자마자 sound more natural.
Emphasis on Immediacy
-자마자 strongly emphasizes that the second action happens immediately. Because of this, adding adverbs like 바로 (right away) is possible but often redundant. For example, 집에 오자마자 바로 씻었어요 is grammatically correct, but 집에 오자마자 씻었어요 already conveys the same immediate nuance.
Subject of the Clauses
Usually, the subject of both clauses is the same. For example, in (내가) 눕자마자 (내가) 잠들었어, "I" am the one doing both actions. However, the subjects can be different if the first action directly causes the second, often with events outside one's control.
(내가) 나가자마자 비가 왔어요. (As soon as I went out, it started to rain.)
Common Mistake: Tense
A common error is to add a past tense marker to the verb before -자마자. Never do this. The tense is always marked on the final verb of the sentence.
Incorrect: 누웠자마자 잠들었어. (X)
Correct: 눕자마자 잠들었어. (O)