Basic 08
-쯤 (about, around)
'-쯤' is a Korean particle used to indicate an approximate or rough estimate of time, place, or quantity. It is similar to the English words 'about' or 'around'.
-쯤 (about, around)
'-쯤' is a Korean particle that is used to indicate an approximate or rough estimate of a time, place, or quantity. It is similar to the English words 'about' or 'around'.
When used with time, '-쯤' indicates that an event will occur approximately at a certain time. For example:
- 6시 쯤에 집에 갈 거예요. (I'll go home around 6 o'clock.)
- 내일 아침 8시 쯤에 만나자. (Let's meet around 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.)
When used with a location, '-쯤' indicates that something is located approximately in a certain area. For example:
- 이 도시의 중심가 쯤에 호텔을 예약했어요. (I booked a hotel around the city center.)
When used with a quantity, '-쯤' indicates an approximate amount. For example:
- 이 책은 500 페이지 쯤 되요. (This book is around 500 pages.)
More examples
- 저는 일주일에 한 번 쯤 운동을 가요. (I go to exercise about once a week.)
- 새벽 3시 쯤에 잠에서 깼어요. (I woke up around 3 AM this morning.)
- 이 동네에는 맛있는 식당이 10곳 쯤 있어요. (There are around 10 delicious restaurants in this neighborhood.)
- 출발 시간은 오후 2시 쯤이에요. (The departure time is around 2 PM.)
- 이 교회는 200년 쯤 된 건물이에요. (This church is a building that is around 200 years old.)
- 이 노래는 90년대 쯤 유행했던 곡이에요. (This song was popular around the 90s.)
- 이 기간 동안에는 온라인 강의를 한 달에 두 번 쯤 들을 거예요. (During this period, I'll attend online lectures around twice a month.)
Overall, '-쯤' is a useful particle that allows for an approximation in Korean communication, making it easier to convey rough estimates without having to provide exact details.