Meaning and Usage
The word '껍질' refers to the outer covering or skin of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and sometimes animals. It is commonly used to talk about the peel or shell that protects the edible part inside.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '껍질' when discussing food preparation, such as peeling apples or cracking nuts. It can also be used metaphorically in some expressions, but its primary use is literal.
Collocations and Patterns
- '껍질을 벗기다': to peel off the skin or shell.
- '껍질을 까다': to crack or remove the shell, often used with nuts.
- '껍질이 두껍다': the skin or shell is thick.
- '껍질을 버리다': to throw away the peel or shell.
Register and Politeness
'껍질' is a neutral noun used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neither formal nor informal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '껍질' with '피부' (skin of a person or animal) or '껍데기' (shell, often for insects or eggs). '껍질' is specifically for the outer layer of fruits, nuts, and vegetables, so use it when referring to edible plant skins or shells.