Meaning and Usage
"직장인" specifically refers to people who work at a company or office, commonly translated as "office worker" or "employee." It is a common term used in everyday conversation to describe someone who has a regular job at a workplace.
Common Contexts
This word is often used when talking about daily routines, work-life balance, or social activities related to work. For example, discussing commuting times, lunch breaks, or stress management often involves the term "직장인."
Collocations and Patterns
- 직장인 생활 (office worker life): refers to the lifestyle or daily routine of a worker.
- 직장인 스트레스 (worker stress): common phrase about stress related to work.
- 직장인 점심 (worker lunch): refers to lunch habits or places frequented by workers.
Register and Politeness
"직장인" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without changing form. It is not a title but a descriptive noun.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "직장인" with "회사원," which also means company employee. "직장인" is broader and can include any workplace employee, not just those in a company, and often emphasizes the social role of working adults rather than the job title.