Korean word

도심

Pronunciation

Romanizationtosim

Meaning

  • noundowntown

Example

도심에서 친구를 만났어요.to si me seo chin gu reul man na sseo yo

I met a friend downtown.

Illustration for 도심 (downtown)

More examples

친구와 함께 도심 일대를 걸었어요.chin gu wa ham kke to sim il dae reul keo reo sseo yo

I walked around downtown with a friend.

Core concept

The central part of a city where shops, cultural venues, and offices gather.

Common phrases

  • 도심 일대to sim il dae

    downtown area

  • 도심 한복판에to sim han bok pa ne

    in the heart of downtown

  • 도심까지 오다to sim kka ji o da

    come downtown

Similar words

시내sinae: A city's main shopping and everyday activity area.
시가지sigaji: A city district made up of both homes and stores.
번화가peonhwaga: A busy city area known for its many shops, restaurants, and pedestrians.

Definition in Korean

도심은 문화시설과 상점, 사무소 등이 모여 도시 생활의 중심이 되는 지역.to si meun mun hwa si seol gwa sang jeom sa mu so teung i mo yeo to si saeng hwa rui chung si mi toe neun chi yeok

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean compound formed from elements meaning city or capital and heart or center.

Usage tips

  • English downtown often suggests a business district, but this word can cover the wider busy center of a Korean city.

Opposites

  • 외곽oegwakoutskirtsnoun

Related words

  • 구도심kudosimold downtownnoun
  • 신도심sindosimnew downtownnoun

Word lists with this word