Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '가구' primarily means 'family' or 'household.' It refers to a group of people living together as a unit, often sharing living expenses and responsibilities. In statistics and social contexts, '가구' is used to denote a household, which may include family members or others living together.
Common Contexts
'가구' is frequently used in demographic data, social studies, and everyday conversation when discussing family size, household income, or living arrangements. It is a formal and neutral term suitable for both spoken and written Korean.
Collocations and Patterns
- 가구 수 (number of households): Used in statistics or reports about population.
- 가구원 (household member): Refers to individuals within a household.
- 가구별 (by household): Used to compare or categorize data according to households.
Usage Tips
Be careful not to confuse '가구' with '가구' meaning 'furniture,' which is a homonym but a different word. Context usually clarifies the meaning. When talking about furniture, the pronunciation and usage differ slightly, and the meaning is clear from context.
When referring to family members specifically, '가족' is more common, but '가구' emphasizes the household unit, including all people living together regardless of relation.