Meaning and Usage
"짐승" primarily means "animal" or "beast" in Korean. It often refers to wild or non-human creatures, but can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's strength or behavior.
Common Contexts
You will see "짐승" used literally when talking about animals in nature, such as in forests or farms. It is also common in figurative expressions to emphasize someone's physical power or sometimes their rough or uncivilized behavior.
Collocations and Patterns
- 짐승처럼 (like a beast): Used to describe someone’s strength or behavior, e.g., "짐승처럼 힘이 세다" (strong as a beast).
- 짐승 같은 사람 (a person like a beast): Often used negatively to describe someone who behaves badly or is untrustworthy.
- 야생 짐승 (wild beast): Refers to wild animals.
Register and Nuance
"짐승" is a neutral to slightly informal word. When used metaphorically, it can carry a strong emotional tone, either admiration for strength or criticism for bad behavior. Be careful not to offend when using it about people.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "짐승" with "동물" (animal). "동물" is a more general and neutral term for animals, while "짐승" often implies wildness or beastliness, especially in figurative speech.