Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '물' primarily means 'water,' the essential liquid for life. It is used in everyday conversation to refer to drinking water, natural water sources, or water used in cooking and cleaning.
Common Contexts
- Drinking water: 물을 주세요 (Please give me water)
- Boiling water: 물이 끓다 (water boils)
- Watering plants or animals
Collocations and Patterns
- 물을 마시다: to drink water
- 물이 끓다: water boils
- 물이 부족하다: to lack water
- 물을 주세요: please give me water
These phrases are very common in daily life and useful for beginners.
Register and Politeness
'물' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The politeness comes from the verbs and sentence endings used with it.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '물' with other liquids or beverages. Remember '물' specifically means plain water, not juice, tea, or other drinks. Use '주스' for juice, '차' for tea, etc.