Usage of '-씩'
The particle '-씩' is used to indicate distribution or allocation of quantities or actions per unit, often translated as 'each' or 'at a time'. It is attached to counters or time expressions to express how much or how many per person, per item, or per occasion.
Common contexts
You will often see '-씩' used when talking about sharing items, receiving or giving things in equal amounts, or performing actions repeatedly in fixed amounts. For example, '한 개씩' means 'one each', and '30분씩' means '30 minutes each time'.
Collocations and patterns
- '한 개씩' (one each): used when distributing items one by one.
- '두 권씩' (two books each): specifying quantity per person.
- '매일 30분씩' (30 minutes each day): indicating repeated action with fixed duration.
Register and nuance
'-씩' is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Korean. It is polite and appropriate in formal and informal contexts.
Common learner mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '-씩' with '-마다', which also means 'every' or 'each'. The difference is that '-씩' emphasizes quantity or amount per unit, while '-마다' emphasizes frequency or occurrence at intervals. For example, '매일 30분씩 운동해요' (exercise 30 minutes each day) vs. '매일 운동해요' (exercise every day).