Level 6

봉사하다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '봉사하다' primarily means 'to serve' or 'to volunteer'. It is often used when talking about offering help or services without expecting payment, such as volunteering in communities, hospitals, or other social settings.

Common Contexts

  • Volunteering in social or community services.
  • Serving patients or clients in healthcare or service industries.
  • Military service, where '봉사하다' can refer to fulfilling mandatory service.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 자원봉사하다: to volunteer (literally 'resource service')
  • 사회에 봉사하다: to serve society
  • 환자에게 봉사하다: to serve patients
  • 군대에서 봉사하다: to serve in the military

Register and Politeness

'봉사하다' is a neutral verb suitable for formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news, official documents, and everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '봉사하다' with '서비스하다' (to provide a service commercially). Remember, '봉사하다' implies voluntary or altruistic service, not commercial transactions.

Example Sentences

그는 지역 사회에서 자원봉사를 하며 많은 사람들을 도와줍니다.

Geuneun jiyeok sahoeeseo jawonbongsareul hamyeo manheun saramdeureul dowajumnida.

He volunteers in the local community and helps many people.

병원에서 환자들에게 봉사하는 것은 매우 보람 있는 일입니다.

Byeongwoneseo hwanjadeurege bongsahaneun geoseun maeu boram inneun irimnida.

Serving patients in the hospital is a very rewarding task.

그는 군대에서 2년 동안 봉사했습니다.

Geuneun gundaeseo 2nyeon dongan bongsahaetseumnida.

He served in the military for two years.