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TOPIK I Reading: Words That Show Time Order

Level
A1
Type
TOPIK
Theme
TOPIK Prep
작성자
Y
Yanghwa
작성시각
Time-order words are small, but they can change how you understand a TOPIK I reading passage. Words like 먼저, 다음, 후에, 전에, and 그리고 tell you what happens first, what happens next, and how events are connected.
For beginner learners, these words are especially useful because you may not understand every noun or verb in a passage. If you catch the time order, you can often follow the basic story.

Why time order matters in TOPIK I

TOPIK I reading passages often describe daily routines, plans, schedules, short messages, or simple stories. The question may ask what someone did first, what they will do next, or which sentence matches the passage.
Time-order words help you avoid guessing only from vocabulary. They show the structure.
For example, if a passage says 먼저 숙제를 해요. 그 후에 친구를 만나요., the order is clear: homework first, meeting a friend later.

Core words to recognize

Start with these words.
Korean
Pronunciation
Meaning
먼저
meonjeo
first
다음
daeum
next
그리고
geurigo
and / and then
후에
hu-e
after
전에
jeon-e
before
나중에
najung-e
later
지금
jigeum
now
오늘
oneul
today
어제
eoje
yesterday
내일
naeil
tomorrow
These are not advanced words, but they are powerful in test reading.

먼저 and 다음

먼저 means "first." 다음 means "next." They often appear in instructions or routine passages.
Korean
Pronunciation
Meaning
먼저 밥을 먹어요.
meonjeo bap-eul meogeoyo.
First, I eat.
다음에 커피를 마셔요.
daeum-e keopi-reul masyeoyo.
Next, I drink coffee.
In TOPIK, if you see 먼저, pay attention. It may answer a question about the first action.

전에 and 후에

전에 means "before." 후에 means "after." These words are very common in reading questions.
Korean
Pronunciation
Meaning
수업 전에 도서관에 가요.
sueop jeon-e doseogwan-e gayo.
I go to the library before class.
수업 후에 친구를 만나요.
sueop hu-e chingu-reul mannayo.
I meet a friend after class.
The word before or after may sit in the middle of the sentence, so do not only read the first noun. Find 전에 or 후에 and check the relationship.

그리고 is not always just "and"

그리고 often means "and," but in short TOPIK passages it can also show a simple next step.
Korean
Pronunciation
Meaning
시장에 갔어요. 그리고 과일을 샀어요.
sijang-e gasseoyo. geurigo gwail-eul sasseoyo.
I went to the market. And then I bought fruit.
When you see 그리고, connect the two actions. It may show a sequence, not just two random facts.

나중에 and 지금

나중에 means "later." 지금 means "now." These words are useful when a passage compares the current situation and a future action.
Korean
Pronunciation
Meaning
지금은 바빠요. 나중에 전화할게요.
jigeum-eun bappayo. najung-e jeonhwahalgeyo.
I am busy now. I will call later.
This kind of sentence can appear in messages or dialogues. The answer may depend on whether the action is happening now or later.

A simple reading method

When you read a TOPIK I passage, try this order:
1.
Circle time words.
2.
Mark the action before and after each word.
3.
Put the events in order.
4.
Then read the question.
This helps you stay calm even if some vocabulary is unfamiliar.

Practice set

Read these mini sentences.
•
먼저 씻어요. 그리고 아침을 먹어요.
First, I wash up. Then I eat breakfast.
•
운동 후에 물을 마셔요.
I drink water after exercising.
•
학교 전에 편의점에 가요.
I go to the convenience store before school.
•
지금 공부해요. 나중에 쉬어요.
I study now. I rest later.
These sentences are simple, but they train the exact skill you need: follow the order.

The reading habit to keep

For TOPIK I reading, do not treat time words as small decoration. They are signposts. 먼저, 다음, 전에, 후에, 그리고, 지금, and 나중에 can show the answer before you understand every detail.
When a passage feels confusing, look for the order first. The story often becomes much easier to follow.
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