Meaning and Usage
The word '장사꾼' refers to a merchant or trader, typically someone who buys and sells goods for profit. It often implies a person actively engaged in commerce, especially in traditional markets or small businesses.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '장사꾼' used in everyday conversations about market vendors, street sellers, or small shop owners. It can carry a neutral or slightly informal tone depending on context.
Collocations and Patterns
- 장사꾼으로 일하다: to work as a merchant
- 장사꾼들이 손님을 끌다: merchants attract customers
- 장사꾼이 물건을 싸게 사다: a merchant buys goods cheaply
These collocations highlight typical activities and roles of a 장사꾼.
Register and Nuance
The term is generally informal and used in spoken language or casual writing. It is less formal than 상인, which is a more official term for merchant.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 장사꾼 with 장사, which means 'business' or 'trade' itself. Remember, 장사꾼 is the person who does the business, not the business activity.