Lesson 9
In this lesson, let’s take a look at the expression -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 and how to use it to say things like “while you are there”, “while I am at it”, or “since you are going to do it”.
The word 김 here is a noun that literally means “an opportunity” or “a reason to do something”. It is NOT, however, commonly used on its own to mean “opportunity” or “reason”. It is almost always used in the structure, -(으)ㄴ/는 김에.
-(으)ㄴ/는 김에
= While you are there
= While you are at it
= While I am there
= Since you are already going to do it
Usages
1. You can use -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 when talking about something (usually not originally planned) that you do while you are doing something else because it is convenient, effective, or easy that way.
ex) While I was visiting the library, I also stopped by the post office inside it.
2. You can use -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 when you want to ask someone to do something for you while they are going somewhere or while they are already planning to do something.
ex) While you are at it, can you please make one for me, too?
3. You can use -(으)ㄴ/는 김에 when you want to suggest doing something based on the fact that you are already going to do something similar or near to the place where you already are.
Conjugation
You use -(으)ㄴ 김에 in past tense sentences and -는 김에 in present and future tense sentences.
Examples
1. 백화점에 가는 김에
= While I am/you are going to the department store...
* The act of going (= 가다) has not happened yet, so it is in the present tense, 가는.
+ 영화도 볼 거예요. = I am also going to see a movie.
→ 백화점에 가는 김에 영화도 볼 거예요.
+ 서점에도 갈까요? = shall we go to the bookstore, too?
→ 백화점에 가는 김에 서점에도 갈까요?
2. 서울에 온 김에
= While you are/I am visiting Seoul… / Since you/I came to Seoul...
* The act of coming (= 오다) has already happened, so it is in the past tense, 온.
+ 친구들을 만났어요. = I met some friends.
→ 서울에 온 김에 친구들을 만났어요.
+ 며칠 더 있을 거예요. = I am going to stay for a few more days.
→ 서울에 온 김에 며칠 더 있을 거예요.
Sample Sentences
도서관에 가는 김에, 제 책도 반납해 주세요.
= While you are going to the library (Since you are going to the library anyway), please return my book, too.
도서관에 간 김에 제 책도 빌려 주세요.
= While you are at the library, check out some books for me, too.
여기 온 김에 커피 마실까요?
= While we are here, shall we have some coffee?
* You can also say “여기 왔으니까 커피 마실까요?” since it has a similar meaning, but using 김에 can mean you were originally there to do something else.
시작한 김에 제가 끝까지 할게요.
= While I am doing it (Since I have started it anyway), I will finish it (I will do it until it is finished).
밖에 나간 김에 제 부탁 하나만 들어주세요.
= While you are outside, please do me a favor.
말이 나온 김에, 우리 피자 먹을까요?
= Speaking of which, shall we have some pizza?
* 말이 나온 김에 is a fixed phrase and means “speaking of which/now that we are talking about it”.