Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '수천' means 'thousands' and is used to indicate a large but approximate number in the thousands range. It is often used with counters for people, money, years, or other countable nouns.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see '수천' in contexts involving large quantities such as visitors, losses, or historical time spans. It conveys a sense of magnitude without specifying an exact number.
Collocations and Patterns
- 수천 명 (thousands of people): used when talking about large groups of people.
- 수천 달러 (thousands of dollars): used in financial contexts.
- 수천 년 (thousands of years): used when referring to long periods of time.
Register and Nuance
'수천' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It is a quantifier and does not change according to politeness levels.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '수천' with exact numbers. Remember, '수천' implies an approximate quantity, not a precise count. For exact thousands, use specific numbers like '이천' (two thousand) or '삼천' (three thousand).