Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '선물' primarily means 'gift' or 'present' in everyday conversation. It is used when talking about giving or receiving something as a token of appreciation, celebration, or kindness.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '선물' in contexts like birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or any occasion where gifts are exchanged. It can refer to anything from small tokens to expensive items.
Collocations and Patterns
- 선물을 주다: to give a gift
- 선물을 받다: to receive a gift
- 생일 선물: birthday gift
- 특별한 선물: special gift
These collocations are very common and useful for daily conversation.
Register and Politeness
'선물' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal settings without change.
Common Mistake
A common confusion is mixing '선물' with financial terms like 'futures trading' (also called '선물' in finance). In daily life, '선물' almost always means 'gift'. To avoid confusion, context is key.