Korean grammar patterns › Level 5
-자
as soon as, when (… then); N이자 'N and also'
Level 5 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Clause 2 happens right after clause 1, often as its result or as something noticed. Typical in narration and writing. N이자 N means 'both N and N' (가수이자 배우 'a singer and actor').
Forming it
| 열다 | → 열자 |
| 먹다 | → 먹자 |
| 도착하다 | → 도착하자 |
| 가수 | → 가수이자 |
No tense before -자 (✗ 열었자). Clause 2 is usually past and cannot be a command or suggestion: ✗ 도착하자 전화하세요 → 도착하자마자 … .
Examples
문을 열자 고양이가 뛰어나갔어요.
As soon as I opened the door, the cat ran out.
버스에서 내리자 비가 쏟아지기 시작했어요.
As soon as I got off the bus, it started pouring rain.
Compared with similar patterns
-자마자 stresses immediacy and can be followed by commands; -자 is more narrative and often implies cause. -기(가) 무섭게 is an exaggerated 'the very moment'.