Meaning and Usage
The word '공짜' means 'free' in the sense of not having to pay money for something. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe items, services, or offers that cost nothing.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '공짜' when talking about promotions, gifts, or samples. For example, stores might offer '공짜 음료' (free drinks) to attract customers.
Collocations and Patterns
- 공짜로 받다: to receive something for free
- 공짜 점심: free lunch (often used metaphorically)
- 공짜 선물: free gift
These phrases emphasize the idea of getting something without payment.
Register and Nuance
'공짜' is informal and widely used in casual speech. In formal contexts, words like '무료' (free of charge) are preferred.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '공짜' with '무료'. While both mean 'free', '무료' is more formal and often used in official or written contexts, whereas '공짜' is more colloquial and casual.