Learn Korean: Time + 안 남았다

Let's take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Time + 안 남았다. 남았다 is the past tense form of 남다 which means to remain (intransitive). We use it to express what is left or how much is left out of the original amount as in 10분 남았어 (There are 10 minutes left). When used with time in negative form (안 남았다), it also tells the amount of time left but in a different manner. We say it when an upcoming event is nearing and we are tensed, excited, or pressured by it. When the calendar strikes December 1st, it suddenly minds me of Christmas. I say There are only (24 days) before Christmas or Christmas is just (24 days) away. In Korean, Christmas is 크리스마스 and 24 days is 이십사/일. The actual sentence is (크리스마스가) 이십사일 안 남았어(요). The word Christmas is enclosed because it is okay without it. It is up for the listener to ask what you are talking about. If you say 이십사일 안 남았(네), I can ask 뭐가? (What is?)

(내 생일) 일주일 안 남았어.

My birthday is just one week away. There is only one week left before my birthday.

(크리스마스가) 한 달 안 남았어.

Christmas is just a month away. There is only one month left before Christmas.

(졸업식이) 이틀 안 남았네.

The graduation is just two days away. There is two days left before the graduation.