Korean word

봉사

Pronunciation

Romanizationpongsa

Meaning

  • nounvolunteer work

Example

이번 주말에 봉사를 할 거예요.i beon chu ma re pong sa reul hal kkeo ye yo

I will do volunteer work this weekend.

Illustration for 봉사 (volunteer work)

More examples

병원에서 환자를 위해 봉사를 했습니다.pyeong wo ne seo hwan ja reul wi hae pong sa reul haet sseum ni da

I did volunteer work for patients at the hospital.

Core concept

Choosing to serve others or the community with unpaid time and effort.

Common phrases

  • 봉사 활동pong sa hwal dong

    volunteer work

  • 봉사 경험pong sa kyeong heom

    volunteer experience

  • 장기봉사 활동chang gi bong sa hwal dong

    long-term volunteer work

Similar words

자원봉사chawonbongsa: Volunteer activity freely chosen to support people or a community.
봉사활동pongsahwaldong: Unpaid helping work organized by a school, club, or other group.
도움toum: Practical support that eases someone's difficulty or helps solve a problem.

Definition in Korean

자원봉사와 같이 스스로 나서서 보수를 바라지 않고 사회에 기여하거나 사람을 돕는 행동이나 활동.cha won bong sa wa ka chi seu seu ro na seo seo po su reul pa ra ji an ko sa hoe e ki yeo ha geo na sa ra meul tom neun haeng dong i na hwal dong

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean source combines the ideas of offering oneself and serving, giving the word its focus on helpful service.

Usage tips

  • The English word service can include paid work, while this Korean noun commonly highlights unpaid help for people or society.

Other meanings

  • servicenoun

Opposites

  • 이기주의igijuuiselfishnessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word