Meaning and Usage
"오후" means "afternoon" and refers to the time period after 12 PM until evening. It is commonly used to specify times in daily schedules, appointments, or weather forecasts.
Common Collocations
- 오후 + 시간 (e.g., 오후 2시): specifying exact time in the afternoon.
- 오후에 + verb (e.g., 오후에 만나다): indicating an action happening in the afternoon.
- 오후부터 (from the afternoon): used to indicate starting time.
Register and Politeness
"오후" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often seen in official schedules, announcements, and everyday conversation.
Usage Tips
When telling time, "오후" is used before the hour to indicate PM times, unlike the 24-hour system. For example, "오후 3시" means 3 PM. Avoid confusing "오후" with "저녁" (evening), which refers to later hours after the afternoon.