Level 1

부부

bubu

Man and wife

TOPIK 1

Meaning and Usage

The word '부부' specifically refers to a married couple, meaning husband and wife. It is a formal and neutral term commonly used in everyday conversation, news, and writing.

Common Contexts

You will often hear '부부' when talking about marriage duration, family relationships, or couple activities. It emphasizes the legal or social bond between two people.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 부부 사이 (between a married couple): used to describe the relationship or interaction.
  • 부부 싸움 (couple's fight): a common phrase referring to disagreements between spouses.
  • 부부 여행 (couple's trip): referring to travel taken together by husband and wife.

Usage Tips

'부부' always implies a legally or socially recognized marriage. Avoid confusing it with 연인 (lover) or 커플 (couple in dating context). When using '부부', the context is usually formal or neutral, not casual dating.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes use '부부' to refer to any couple, but it strictly means married partners. For non-married couples, use '커플' or '연인' instead.

Example Sentences

그 부부는 결혼한 지 10년이 되었어요.

Geu bubu neun gyeolhonhan ji 10nyeon i doeeosseoyo.

That couple has been married for 10 years.

부부가 함께 여행을 가는 것은 좋은 추억이 됩니다.

Bubu ga hamkke yeohaeng eul ganeun geoseun joheun chueogi doemnida.

Going on a trip together as a couple creates good memories.

부부 싸움은 가끔 있을 수 있지만, 서로 이해하는 것이 중요해요.

Bubu ssawoom eun gakkeum isseul su itjiman, seoro ihaehaneun geosi jungyohaeyo.

Couples may sometimes fight, but understanding each other is important.