Korean word

볼일

Pronunciation

Romanizationporil

Meaning

  • nounerrand

Example

오늘 볼일이 있어서 먼저 가야 해.o neul po ri ri i sseo seo meon jeo ka ya hae

I have an errand today, so I have to leave early.

Illustration for 볼일 (errand)

More examples

갑자기 볼일이 생겨서 약속에 못 가겠어.kap jja gi po ri ri saeng gyeo seo yak sso ge mot ka ge sseo

I suddenly have an errand to take care of, so I can't make it to the appointment.

Core concept

Something on a person's practical agenda, ranging from a small task to important business that requires going out.

Common phrases

  • 볼일을 보다po ri reul po da

    attend to business

  • 볼일이 생기다po ri ri saeng gi da

    have business come up

Similar words

할 일hal il: A task to be done at home by the person responsible for it.
일il: A task that someone needs to carry out.
심부름simbureum: A brief task done because another person asked for it.
용무yongmu: A formal term for business that must be handled for a purpose.

Definition in Korean

사소한 것부터 외출을 필요로 하는 중요한 일까지 포함하는 일sa so han keot ppu teo oe chu reul pi ryo ro ha neun chung yo han il kka ji po ham ha neun il

Word origin

Its parts express the idea of a matter to see to, which developed into the broader sense of a task or piece of business needing attention.

Usage tips

  • Saying 볼일 (boril, "business to attend to") can politely keep the nature of a person's business unstated, especially when explaining a departure.

Other meanings

  • matternoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word