Sino-Korean roots
One character opens a whole family of words
person; used in nationality and role words
요즘 그 가수 인기가 정말 많아요.— That singer is really popular these days.
우리 회사엔 외국인 직원도 많아.— My company has a lot of foreign employees.
big, great; marks scale
내년에 대학에 들어가려고 준비해요.— I'm preparing to enter university next year.
이번 대회는 규모가 최대래.— They say this competition is the biggest yet.
country, nation
저는 한국에 온 지 삼 년 됐어요.— It's been three years since I came to Korea.
이 제품은 국내에서만 팔아.— This product is only sold domestically.
learning, study; the root of school words
동생이 올해 학교에 입학했어요.— My younger sibling started school this year.
나 내년에 유학 갈 생각이야.— I'm thinking of studying abroad next year.
to live, to be born; fresh
오늘이 제 생일이에요.— Today is my birthday.
한국 생활은 이제 익숙해졌어.— I'm used to life in Korea now.
sun, day
매일 아침 여섯 시에 일어나요.— I get up at six every morning.
일요일에 뭐 해?— What are you doing on Sunday?
year
작년보다 올해가 훨씬 바빠요.— This year is much busier than last year.
내년에 계약이 끝나.— My contract ends next year.
moon, month
월급날이 이번 주 금요일이에요.— Payday is this Friday.
한국 온 지 여섯 개월 됐어.— It's been six months since I came to Korea.
time, hour
시간이 없어서 택시를 탔어요.— I had no time so I took a taxi.
그때 당시엔 나도 몰랐어.— I didn't know at the time either.
interval, space between
계약 기간이 일 년이에요.— The contract period is one year.
중간에 한 번 쉬었다 가자.— Let's take a break in the middle.
child; a common noun suffix
의자 하나만 더 갖다주세요.— Please bring one more chair.
과자 사 왔는데 먹을래?— I bought snacks, want some?
a person who does something (role suffix)
환자분 성함이 어떻게 되세요?— What is the patient's name?
우리 회사는 노동자 안전을 제일로 봐.— Our company puts worker safety first.
matter, affair, incident
공사 중이라 길이 막혀요.— The road is blocked because of construction.
어제 사고 났다는 얘기 들었어?— Did you hear there was an accident yesterday?
company, organization
작년에 이 회사에 입사했어요.— I joined this company last year.
본사가 부산에 있대.— I hear the head office is in Busan.
place, site, field
주차장이 지하 이 층에 있어요.— The parking lot is on basement level two.
공장 현장에선 안전모 꼭 써.— Always wear a helmet on the factory floor.
long; head, chief
사장님은 지금 회의 중이세요.— The CEO is in a meeting right now.
이 방법은 장점이 많아.— This method has a lot of advantages.
middle, center; in the middle of
지금 회의 중이라 나중에 전화드릴게요.— I'm in a meeting, I'll call you later.
가는 도중에 비가 왔어.— It rained on the way there.
small, minor
소포가 오늘 도착했어요.— The parcel arrived today.
애는 소아과에 데려가야지.— You should take the child to a pediatrician.
house, family; expert in a field
가족들이 다 베트남에 있어요.— My whole family is in Vietnam.
저 사람 요리 전문가래.— They say that person is a cooking expert.
writing, letters, culture
문자 보냈는데 확인하셨어요?— I sent you a text, did you see it?
이 문제는 좀 어렵다.— This problem is a bit hard.
gate, door; specialized field
학교 정문에서 만나요.— Let's meet at the school's main gate.
저는 전문 분야가 따로 있어.— I have my own specialized field.
language, word
한국어 단어를 매일 열 개씩 외워요.— I memorize ten Korean words a day.
외국어는 자꾸 써 봐야 늘어.— You only improve at a language by using it.
speech, talk, conversation
나중에 전화 드릴게요.— I'll call you later.
통화 좀 할 수 있어?— Can we talk on the phone?
school (institution); distinct from 敎 'to teach'
아이가 학교에 등교했어요.— My child went off to school.
고등학교 때 친구를 오랜만에 만났어.— I met a high school friend after a long time.
to teach; root of education words
교실이 삼 층에 있어요.— The classroom is on the third floor.
교수님한테 메일 보냈어?— Did you email the professor?
to raise, to educate
아이 교육 때문에 고민이에요.— I'm worried about my child's education.
요즘 육아가 제일 힘들어.— Raising a kid is the hardest thing these days.
room, indoor space
화장실이 어디에 있어요?— Where is the restroom?
실내에서는 신발 벗어.— Take your shoes off indoors.
institution: hospital, academy, graduate school
아버지가 병원에 입원하셨어요.— My father was admitted to the hospital.
나 저녁마다 학원 다녀.— I go to a private academy every evening.
public building: library, cinema, museum
도서관은 아홉 시에 문을 열어요.— The library opens at nine.
주말에 영화관 갈래?— Want to go to the cinema this weekend?
electricity; also phone and train words
휴대폰 충전 좀 해도 될까요?— May I charge my phone?
어제 정전돼서 고생했어.— The power went out yesterday and it was rough.
vehicle, car
주차할 곳을 못 찾겠어요.— I can't find a place to park.
기차 시간 확인했어?— Did you check the train time?
to move
매일 아침 운동을 해요.— I exercise every morning.
문이 자동으로 열려.— The door opens automatically.
to eat, food
점심 식사 하셨어요?— Have you had lunch?
이 근처에 한식당 있어?— Is there a Korean restaurant nearby?
water
온수가 안 나와요.— There's no hot water.
주말에 수영 배우러 다녀.— I take swimming lessons on weekends.
fire
소화기 위치를 꼭 알아 두세요.— Be sure to know where the fire extinguisher is.
뜨거운 기름에 화상 입지 않게 조심해.— Be careful not to get burned by hot oil.
heart, mind; center
계단 미끄러우니까 조심하세요.— The stairs are slippery, be careful.
나 그 일에 관심 많아.— I'm very interested in that.
power, strength, ability
체력이 떨어져서 운동을 시작했어요.— My stamina dropped so I started exercising.
네 실력이면 충분해.— With your ability, that's plenty.
hand; a skilled practitioner
제가 좋아하는 가수 콘서트에 가요.— I'm going to my favorite singer's concert.
다음 주에 수술 받는대.— I hear he's having surgery next week.
eye; item, aim
이번 달 목표를 정했어요.— I set my goal for this month.
제목이 뭐였더라?— What was the title again?
mouth; opening, exit
출구가 저쪽이에요.— The exit is over there.
비상구 위치 꼭 확인해.— Make sure to check where the emergency exit is.
sky, heaven; natural
천장에서 물이 새요.— Water is leaking from the ceiling.
걔는 진짜 천재야.— He's a real genius.
ground, land, area
지하철로 삼십 분 걸려요.— It takes thirty minutes by subway.
이 지역은 집값이 비싸.— Housing is expensive in this area.
gold, metal, money
현금으로 계산해도 될까요?— Can I pay in cash?
이번 달 요금이 왜 이렇게 많아?— Why is this month's bill so high?
main, principal; owner
가게 주인이 친절하세요.— The shop owner is kind.
나는 주로 집에서 쉬어.— I mostly rest at home.
the people, citizens, residents
주민 센터에서 서류를 뗐어요.— I got the documents at the community center.
시민 회관에서 행사 한대.— There's an event at the civic center.
high, superior
여기 커피가 최고예요.— The coffee here is the best.
고속버스로 두 시간 걸려.— It takes two hours by express bus.
new
신청서를 여기에 내면 되나요?— Do I submit the application form here?
이거 최신 모델이래.— They say this is the newest model.
safe, at ease
작업 전에 안전 교육을 받아요.— We get safety training before work.
이제 안심해도 돼.— You can relax now.
whole, entire
전부 얼마예요?— How much is it altogether?
이거 완전 맛있다.— This is completely delicious.
work, business, industry
작업 시작 전에 장갑 끼세요.— Put on gloves before starting work.
형은 작은 사업을 해.— My older brother runs a small business.