Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '사흘' specifically means 'three days.' It is a native Korean time unit often used in everyday conversation to indicate a period of three days. Unlike the Sino-Korean number system, '사흘' is a pure Korean word.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '사흘' when talking about durations, deadlines, or plans that span three days. It can be used with time expressions like '동안' (during), '후에' (after), or verbs related to events and actions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 사흘 동안: indicates a continuous period of three days (e.g., 사흘 동안 비가 내리다 - it rains for three days)
- 사흘 후에: means 'after three days' (e.g., 사흘 후에 만나다 - to meet after three days)
- 사흘째: used to express the 'third day' of an ongoing event (e.g., 사흘째 여행 중이다 - on the third day of a trip)
Register and Usage Notes
'사흘' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It is more natural than using the Sino-Korean equivalent '삼일' in casual conversation, although both are correct.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '사흘' with '삼일,' which also means three days but is Sino-Korean. Use '사흘' for native Korean counting and more natural speech, especially in informal contexts.