Meaning and Usage
The word '노동자' specifically refers to a person who performs labor, typically in a physical or industrial context. It is commonly used to talk about workers in factories, construction sites, or other manual labor environments.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '노동자' in discussions about labor rights, working conditions, and employment issues. It carries a somewhat formal tone and is frequently used in news, politics, and social discussions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 노동자 권리 (worker's rights): used when discussing legal or social protections.
- 노동자 단체 (labor union): refers to organized groups representing workers.
- 노동자 파업 (worker strike): describes collective work stoppages.
Register and Politeness
'노동자' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal or written language rather than casual speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '노동자' with '직원' (employee) or '근로자' (worker). While similar, '노동자' often emphasizes manual or physical labor, whereas '직원' is more general for staff or employees in an office or company.