Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '단독' primarily means 'independent' or 'single' and is often used to describe actions or things done alone or without partnership. It can refer to independence in work, living arrangements, or exclusive situations.
Common Contexts
- Business: '단독으로' means doing something independently, such as developing a product or making a decision without collaboration.
- Housing: '단독 주택' refers to a detached house, emphasizing living alone or in a standalone building.
- Media: '단독 인터뷰' means an exclusive interview, highlighting that the interview is conducted with only one party.
Collocations and Patterns
- 단독으로 + verb: to do something independently.
- 단독 주택: detached house.
- 단독 인터뷰: exclusive interview.
Register and Nuance
'단독' is neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It emphasizes the idea of being alone or exclusive without others involved.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '단독' with '독립' (independence in a political or personal sense). Remember, '단독' focuses on being single or alone in action or state, while '독립' is about autonomy or independence as a concept.