Meaning and Usage
The Korean noun '봉사' primarily refers to voluntary service or acts of helping others without expecting payment. It is commonly used in contexts related to volunteering, community service, and charitable activities.
Common Contexts
'봉사' often appears when talking about social welfare, nonprofit activities, or corporate social responsibility programs. It can also describe a personal attitude of selfless service.
Collocations and Patterns
- '봉사 활동' (volunteer activities): Refers to organized or informal volunteering.
- '봉사 정신' (spirit of service): Describes a mindset or attitude valuing helping others.
- '봉사 시간' (service hours): Used when tracking volunteer hours, often in school or community settings.
Register and Politeness
'봉사' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often found in written and spoken language related to social issues.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '봉사' with '서비스' (service in a commercial sense). Remember, '봉사' emphasizes voluntary or altruistic service, while '서비스' usually refers to customer service or commercial service.