Meaning and Usage
"자동" means "automatic" or "self-acting," referring to something that operates by itself without manual intervention. It is commonly used in technology, machinery, and everyday devices.
Common Collocations
- 자동문 (automatic door): doors that open and close by themselves.
- 자동저장 (automatic saving): files or data saved without manual action.
- 자동차 (car, literally "self-moving vehicle"): a common word for car.
Usage Notes
"자동" is often combined with nouns to describe devices or processes that function automatically. It is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "자동" with "스스로" which means "by oneself" but is more about the subject's own action or will, whereas "자동" emphasizes the automatic function of a device or system.