-자마자 vs -는 대로

Intermediate · TOPIK II

Both mean 'as soon as'. -자마자 links two events that follow immediately, in the past or future, even unintended ones; -는 대로 is only for planned, intentional actions in the future, often with a promise or request.

-자마자A connective ending used to indicate that the following event or situation occurs right after the preceding event or situation.-는 대로An expression used to indicate that something is the same as the present act or state mentioned in the preceding statement.

Rules of thumb

Narrating something that already happened (fell asleep as soon as I got home): use -자마자, not -는 대로.
Promises, instructions and requests about the future (call me as soon as you arrive): -는 대로 is very natural.
The main clause after -는 대로 is typically -(으)ㄹ게요, -(으)세요 or -겠습니다.
Neither takes -았/었 in the first clause.
-는 대로 has another meaning too: 'as / in the way that' (말하는 대로 하세요 'Do as I say').

Example sentences

-자마자
I fell asleep as soon as I got home.
-는 대로
I'll get in touch as soon as I arrive at the airport.
집에 도착하는 대로 잠이 들었어요.
Incorrect
I fell asleep as soon as I got home. [Wrong: -neun daero isn't used for unintended past events; use -jamaja]
-는 대로
Please let me know as soon as the results are out.
-자마자
As soon as class ended, the students left the room.

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