dal

The moon

TOPIK 1

Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '달' primarily means 'the moon,' referring to the natural satellite visible in the night sky. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation and literature.

Different Contexts

Besides meaning 'moon,' '달' is also used to mean 'month' in Korean, which is a very frequent usage. The context usually clarifies which meaning is intended. For example, when talking about time or dates, '달' means 'month.' When talking about the sky or nature, it means 'moon.'

Common Collocations and Patterns

  • 달이 뜨다: 'the moon rises' – used when describing the moon appearing in the sky.
  • 이번 달: 'this month' – used to talk about the current month.
  • 달빛: 'moonlight' – refers to the light coming from the moon.

Register and Politeness

'달' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without change.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners often confuse '달' meaning 'moon' with '달' meaning 'month.' Pay attention to the context and accompanying words to understand the correct meaning.

Example Sentences

오늘 밤에는 달이 아주 밝게 빛나요.

Oneul bameneun dari aju balge bichnayo.

The moon is shining very brightly tonight.

달이 뜨면 밤이 더 아름다워 보여요.

Dari tteumyeon bami deo areumdawo boyeoyo.

When the moon rises, the night looks more beautiful.

이번 달에는 날씨가 많이 추워질 거예요.

Ibeon dareneun nalssiga mani chuwonjil geoyeyo.

This month, the weather will get much colder.