Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '사인' primarily means 'signature' or 'sign.' It is commonly used when referring to signing documents or receiving autographs. Additionally, it can mean a signal or indication, such as a traffic sign or a gesture that conveys a message.
Common Contexts
- Signing documents: 계약서에 사인을 하다 (to sign a contract).
- Autographs: 유명인의 사인을 받다 (to get a celebrity's autograph).
- Signals or indications: 멈추라는 사인 (a sign to stop).
Collocations and Patterns
- 사인을 하다: to sign (a document).
- 사인을 받다: to receive a signature or autograph.
- 사인을 보내다: to send a sign or signal.
Register and Politeness
'사인' is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts. When requesting a signature politely, you might say '사인을 부탁드립니다.'
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '사인' with '신호' (signal) when referring to traffic signals. While both can mean 'sign,' '신호' is more specific to traffic lights and signals, whereas '사인' can be broader, including gestures or symbolic signs.