Meanings and Usage
The Korean word '향수' has two main meanings: 'perfume' and 'nostalgia' or 'homesickness.' When used as 'perfume,' it refers to a fragrant liquid people apply to their bodies. When used as 'nostalgia,' it expresses a sentimental longing for one's hometown or past.
Common Collocations
- 향수를 뿌리다: to spray perfume, commonly used when talking about applying fragrance.
- 향수가 나다: to feel nostalgic or homesick, often used to express emotional longing.
- 꽃 향기 향수: floral-scented perfume, describing the type of fragrance.
Usage Notes
'향수' as perfume is a common noun in everyday conversation and formal contexts. When expressing nostalgia, it often appears in emotional or literary contexts. Learners should be careful not to confuse the two meanings; context usually clarifies which meaning is intended. For example, '향수가 나다' rarely refers to perfume but to feeling homesick.
Register and Politeness
'향수' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal speech without change. The verbs and particles around it determine the politeness level.
Common Mistake
A frequent learner mistake is misunderstanding '향수' only as perfume and missing its emotional meaning of nostalgia. Pay attention to context clues like verbs and surrounding words to distinguish the meaning.