Level 4

부채

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Understanding '부채' as Debt

The Korean word '부채' primarily means 'debt' or 'liabilities' in financial contexts. It refers to money owed by individuals, companies, or organizations. When you hear '부채', it usually implies an obligation to repay borrowed money.

Common Usage and Collocations

  • 부채를 지다 (to incur debt): Used when someone takes on debt.
  • 부채를 갚다 (to pay off debt): Refers to repaying what is owed.
  • 부채 상환 (debt repayment): A formal term often used in financial documents.

These collocations are common in both spoken and written Korean, especially in business or personal finance discussions.

Register and Nuance

'부채' is a neutral term used in formal and informal contexts. It is not slang or casual. When discussing personal finances or company balance sheets, '부채' is the standard term.

Common Confusion

A common confusion is mixing '부채' (debt) with '부채' meaning 'hand fan' (a different meaning with the same pronunciation and spelling). Context usually clarifies which meaning is intended. In financial contexts, '부채' always means debt.

Tips for Learners

When using '부채', pair it with verbs like '갚다' (to repay) or nouns like '금액' (amount) to sound natural. Avoid using it to mean 'fan' unless the context clearly indicates it, as this can confuse listeners.

Example Sentences

그 회사는 많은 부채를 가지고 있어서 재정 상태가 좋지 않다.

Geu hoesa neun manheun buchae reul gajigo isseoseo jaejeong sangtae ga johji anta.

That company has a lot of debt, so its financial condition is not good.

부채를 갚기 위해서 매달 일정 금액을 저축하고 있다.

Buchae reul gapgi wihaeseo maedal iljeong geumaek eul jeochukhago itda.

To pay off the debt, I am saving a fixed amount every month.

부채가 많으면 신용 등급이 떨어질 수 있다.

Buchae ga manheumyeon sinyong deunggeup i tteoreojil su itda.

Having a lot of debt can lower your credit rating.