이미 vs 벌써
‘이미’ is an adverb used to emphasize that something has already been completed or happened in the past. For example:
나는 이미 점심을 먹었다.
I already ate lunch. (Emphasizing that the speaker already finished eating lunch)
그들은 이미 결정을 내렸다.
They already made the decision. (Emphasizing that the decision has already been made)
이미 그들은 이미 집에 도착했다.
They already arrived home
(Emphasizing that They already arrived home)
“벌써” is an adverb used to indicate that something has happened earlier or faster than expected. For example:
벌써 그들은 집에 도착했다.
They already arrived home
(Indicating that They already arrived home faster than expected)
벌써 여름이네요.
It’s already summer. (Indicating that time is passing faster than expected)
그들은 벌써 결정을 내렸다.
They already made the decision. (Indicating that the decision has already been made much faster than expected )
벌써 내일이면 시험이라니, 정말 긴장된다.
The exam is already tomorrow, I’m really nervous. (Indicating that the exam is happening earlier than expected, so the speaker is nervous.)
*We also use these two words ‘이미‘ and ‘벌써‘ together.
이미벌써도착했어!?
Have you already arrived!?
밤은이미벌써대머리가되었다고!?
Has Bam already gone bald?