Dictionary — Entry No. 0179
시간
siggan · noun
시간
siggan
[SHEE-gan]
nounbeginner
Meaning
시간 means ‘time’ in Korean, covering both clock-based time and duration (two hours = 두 시간) and the philosophical concept of time passing. It is one of the most frequently used nouns in the language, appearing in schedules, ballad lyrics, and some of the most poetic lines in K-Drama history.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Time is a central theme in Korean storytelling, and 시간 appears constantly in K-Drama dialogue about waiting, longing, and healing. BTS immortalized the word in ‘Spring Day’ (봄날) with the line 시간이 흘러도 (‘even as time passes’), turning a simple noun into a symbol of grief and enduring love that resonates with millions of ARMY worldwide.
Example Sentences
시간이 있어요?
Sigani isseoyo?
Do you have time? (polite; the classic K-Drama opener for an unexpected and life-changing invitation)
시간이 너무 빨리 가.
Sigani neomu ppalli ga.
Time passes too fast. (wistful; a line beloved by ballad writers and drama screenwriters alike)
시간이 필요해.
Sigani piryohae.
I need time. (the quiet cooling-off line that quietly devastates every K-Drama viewer watching the couple fall apart)
⚠️ Don’t use siggan when…
1. Beginners often mispronounce 시간 as ‘see-KAHN’ — the ㅅ before ㅣ sounds like ‘sh,’ making it SHEE-gan, not SEE-gan; the difference is immediately noticeable to native speakers. 2. 시간 can mean both ‘time’ (abstract) and ‘hour’ (unit of duration) — 두 시간 means ‘two hours,’ not ‘two o’clock’; for the clock hour, use 두 시 (du si).
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) — the drama’s entire emotional architecture is built around 시간이 흘렀다 (‘time has passed’), with characters reflecting across decades on youth, friendship, and the things they didn’t say.
- K-Pop: BTS — Spring Day (봄날)
💡 Did You Know? Korean has two words for ‘time’: 시간 (sigan) for measurable, clock-based time and 때 (ttae) for a point in time or occasion — a subtle but important distinction that even intermediate learners mix up for years.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.