Learn Hardcore Korean: jeomsimsigane jollyeoyo.

점심 literally means “lunch,” referring to the meal itself. 점심시간 adds 시간 (time/period), so it means “lunchtime” or “lunch break” – the time slot when you eat.

What does the particle -에 do in 점심시간에?

The particle -에 marks a specific time when something happens. In 점심시간에 졸려요, -에 tells us “at lunchtime” (when the state of sleepiness occurs).

Can I just say 점심에 졸려요 instead of 점심시간에 졸려요? Are they the same?

Yes, you can shorten 점심시간에 to 점심에, and it still means “I’m sleepy around lunchtime.”
– 점심에 졸려요 focuses more loosely on “around lunch.”
– 점심시간에 졸려요 emphasizes the actual lunch period or break.

What part of speech is 졸리다, and why do we say 졸려요?

졸리다 is a descriptive verb (often called an “adjective verb”) meaning “to feel sleepy.” When you conjugate it into polite present tense, you get 졸려요. Even though in English it’s like an adjective (“sleepy”), in Korean it behaves like a verb.

Why is it spelled 졸려요 rather than or ?