Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '일생' refers to a person's entire lifetime or life span. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to emphasize the duration of one's life or the significance of events that happen during that time.
Common Contexts
'일생' is frequently used when talking about lifelong experiences, commitments, or once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. It can express the idea of something lasting or affecting a person throughout their whole life.
Collocations and Patterns
- 일생 동안: "during one's lifetime" – used to describe events or experiences spanning the whole life.
- 일생에 한 번: "once in a lifetime" – emphasizes rarity and uniqueness.
- 일생을 바치다: "to devote one's life" – used when someone dedicates their entire life to a cause or activity.
Register and Nuance
'일생' carries a somewhat formal or poetic tone and is less common in casual conversation. It often appears in written language, speeches, or reflective statements.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '일생' with '평생' (pyeongsaeng), which also means "a lifetime" but is more commonly used in everyday speech. '일생' tends to be more formal or literary, so choose based on context.