Meaning and Usage
The word '상인' refers to a merchant or trader, someone who buys and sells goods, often in markets or shops. It is a formal noun commonly used in both everyday and business contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '상인' when talking about market vendors, shop owners, or people involved in commerce. It emphasizes the role of trading rather than manufacturing or other business activities.
Collocations and Patterns
- 상인들 (merchants): plural form used when referring to a group of traders.
- 시장 상인 (market merchant): specifically a merchant operating in a market.
- 상인과 고객 (merchant and customer): highlighting the relationship between seller and buyer.
Register and Politeness
'상인' is neutral and formal, suitable for written and spoken Korean in professional or descriptive contexts. It is not slang or casual.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '상인' with '판매자' (seller) or '가게 주인' (shop owner). '상인' specifically implies a person engaged in trade, often with a broader commercial sense, not just someone who sells occasionally or owns a shop.