Korean word

노약자석

Pronunciation

Romanizationnoyakjjaseok

Meaning

  • nounpriority seat

Example

지하철에서 노약자석에 오래 앉지 맙시다.chi ha cheo re seo no yak jja seo ge o rae an jji map ssi da

Let's not sit in the priority seats on the subway for too long.

Illustration for 노약자석 (priority seat)

More examples

버스에서는 노약자석을 비워 주세요.peo seu e seo neun no yak jja seo geul pi wo chu se yo

Please leave the priority seat empty on the bus.

Core concept

A public-transport seat where passengers needing greater care receive seating priority.

Common phrases

  • 지하철 노약자석에 앉다chi ha cheol no yak jja seo ge an tta

    sit in a priority seat on the subway

  • 노약자석을 양보하다no yak jja seo geul yang bo ha da

    give up a priority seat

  • 노약자석에 앉지 않다no yak jja seo ge an jji an ta

    not sit in a priority seat

Similar words

우선석useonseok: A designated seat for passengers who should be given priority because of their needs.
임산부석imsanbuseok: A public-transit seat specifically provided for pregnant passengers.
장애인석changaeinseok: A priority seat provided for passengers with disabilities.
노인석noinseok: A public-transit seat provided mainly for elderly passengers.

Definition in Korean

노약자석은 노약자(노인·약한 사람)와 석(좌석)이 결합된 말로, 대중교통에서 더 배려가 필요한 사람에게 우선권을 주기 위해 마련된 좌석을 가리킨다no yak jja seo geun no yak jja no in ya kan sa ram wa seok chwa seok i kyeol hap ttoen mal lo tae jung gyo tong e seo teo pae ryeo ga pi ryo han sa ra me ge u seon gwo neul chu gi wi hae ma ryeon doen chwa seo geul ka ri kin da

Word origin

The formation is straightforward, with 노약자 (noyakjja, "elderly or physically vulnerable people") placed before 석 (seok, "seat") to name this type of seat.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this word helps learners understand Korean transit signs and etiquette notices even when no English translation is provided.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word