Meaning and Usage
The word '공무원' refers to a public officer or civil servant who works for government institutions. It is a formal noun commonly used in everyday conversation, news, and official contexts.
Common Contexts
'공무원' often appears when discussing government jobs, public administration, or employment exams. For example, '공무원 시험' means the civil service exam, a highly competitive test in Korea.
Collocations and Patterns
- 공무원 시험: civil service exam, used when talking about the qualification process.
- 공무원으로 일하다: to work as a public officer.
- 공무원 연금: public officer pension, related to benefits.
Register and Politeness
The term is neutral and formal, suitable for both spoken and written language. It is not used casually to refer to other types of workers.
Common Learner Mistake
Avoid confusing '공무원' with '회사원' (company employee). '공무원' specifically means government employees, not private sector workers.