Meaning and Usage
The noun '지불' refers to the act of paying money, typically for goods, services, or debts. It is a formal term often used in business, legal, and financial contexts.
Common Collocations
- 지불하다: to pay (verb form derived from the noun)
- 지불 기한: payment deadline
- 지불 방법: payment method
- 지불 완료: payment completion
These collocations are frequently used in everyday transactions and formal documents.
Register and Politeness
'지불' is a neutral to formal noun. When speaking casually, Koreans might use '돈을 내다' (to pay money) instead. In formal writing or business settings, '지불' is preferred.
Usage Tips
When using '지불', it often appears with verbs like '하다' (to do) to form '지불하다' meaning 'to pay'. Learners should note that '지불' emphasizes the act or process of payment rather than the money itself.
Common Mistake
A common confusion is mixing '지불' with '결제' (payment, settlement). While both relate to paying, '결제' often refers to the process of settling a bill or transaction, especially electronically, whereas '지불' is more general and can be used for any payment.