Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '각' means 'each' or 'every' and is used to refer to individual members within a group or category. It emphasizes individuality or separation within a collective.
Common Contexts
'각' is often used with nouns to specify distinct units, such as '각 사람' (each person), '각 부서' (each department), or '각자' (each person individually). It frequently appears in formal or written contexts but is also common in spoken Korean.
Collocations and Patterns
- 각 + noun: to indicate each member of a group (e.g., 각 학교 - each school)
- 각자 + verb: to express 'each person' doing something individually (e.g., 각자 준비하다 - each prepare)
- 각 부서별로: by each department, showing division by category
Register and Politeness
'각' is neutral in politeness and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It is more common in formal writing or official speech but is widely understood and used in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '각' with '모든' (all/every). '각' focuses on individual units separately, while '모든' emphasizes the whole group collectively. For example, '각 사람' means each person individually, whereas '모든 사람' means all people together.
Understanding this distinction helps use '각' accurately in context.