Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '세월' refers to the passage of time, often emphasizing the flow or passing of years and months. It is commonly used in both poetic and everyday contexts to reflect on how time affects people and things.
Common Contexts
'세월' is frequently used when talking about aging, changes over time, or the inevitability of time's effects. It often appears in proverbs or expressions that highlight the unstoppable nature of time.
Collocations and Patterns
- 세월이 흐르다: to let time flow/pass
- 세월이 빠르다: time is fast
- 세월이 지나가다: time passes
- 세월 앞에 장사 없다: a proverb meaning no one can defeat time
Register and Nuance
'세월' is a neutral word suitable for formal and informal speech. It carries a somewhat reflective or nostalgic tone, often used when discussing life changes or the past.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '세월' with '시간' (time). While '시간' refers more generally to time as a measurable quantity, '세월' emphasizes the passage and flow of time, especially over longer periods.