Meanings and Usage
The Korean word '이상' has several common uses. Primarily, it means 'more than' or 'above' when referring to quantities or levels, as in '20명 이상' (more than 20 people). It can also mean 'strange' or 'abnormal' when used as an adjective, e.g., '이상한 소리' (strange sound). Additionally, '이상' is used to mark the end of a statement or presentation, similar to 'that's all' or 'that concludes'.
Common Collocations
- 이상 + 숫자 (e.g., 10 이상): indicates 'more than' a certain number.
- 이상한 + 명사: means 'strange' or 'weird' + noun.
- 이상으로: used to conclude speeches or reports politely.
Usage Notes
When using '이상' to mean 'more than', it includes the number mentioned (i.e., '20 이상' means 20 or more). As an adjective meaning 'strange', it is often combined with nouns like '소리' (sound), '행동' (behavior), or '기분' (feeling). When concluding a speech, '이상으로' is a formal expression often used in presentations or official contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '이상' with '이하' (meaning 'less than or equal to'). Remember, '이상' means 'greater than or equal to', while '이하' means 'less than or equal to'. Also, do not confuse the adjective '이상한' (strange) with the noun or adverbial uses of '이상'.