Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '돌' primarily means 'stone' or 'rock' and is used in everyday contexts to refer to natural stones or rocks. It can describe physical objects like stones by a river or stones used in construction.
Cultural Significance
'돌' also has a special cultural meaning related to the Korean first birthday celebration called '돌잔치'. During this event, a ritual called '돌잡이' involves the child picking an object, often a stone, symbolizing their future.
Common Collocations
- 돌 던지다: to throw a stone, often used literally or metaphorically.
- 돌잡이 하다: to perform the first birthday ritual.
- 돌 깨기: breaking stones, sometimes used in idiomatic expressions.
Usage Notes
When using '돌' in conversation, context is important to distinguish between the literal stone and the cultural ritual. Learners should be careful not to confuse '돌' with similar-sounding words like '돋' or '도'.
The word is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts depending on the sentence.