Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '이자' primarily means 'interest' in a financial context, referring to the money earned or paid on a principal amount, such as a loan or deposit. It is commonly used in banking, loans, and investment discussions.
Common Collocations
- 이자율 (interest rate): the percentage rate at which interest is calculated.
- 이자를 받다 (to receive interest): used when you earn interest from savings or investments.
- 이자를 내다 (to pay interest): used when you pay interest on a loan.
Register and Politeness
'이자' is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts related to finance. It is not a verb, so it does not change with politeness levels, but the surrounding verbs and expressions will.
Usage Tips
When using '이자', be careful not to confuse it with '이자' meaning 'this person' (which is a homonym but different in context and written with different Hanja). In financial contexts, '이자' always refers to interest.
Understanding how to use '이자' with verbs like '받다' (to receive) and '내다' (to pay) will help you talk about financial transactions naturally.