Korean word

시계

Pronunciation

Romanizationsigye

Meaning

  • nounclock

Example

책상 위에 시계가 놓여 있어요.chaek ssang wi e si gye ga no yeo i sseo yo

There is a clock on the desk.

Illustration for 시계 (clock)

More examples

알람시계 덕분에 제시간에 일어났어요.al lam si gye teok ppu ne che si ga ne i reo na sseo yo

Thanks to the alarm clock, I woke up on time.

Core concept

A device that makes the passing time visible, whether it sits on a desk, hangs on a wall, or is worn on the wrist.

Common phrases

  • 손목시계son mok ssi gye

    wristwatch

  • 벽걸이시계pyeok kkeo ri si gye

    wall clock

  • 시계를 보다si gye reul po da

    look at the clock

Similar words

손목시계sonmokssigye: A small clock worn around the wrist for quick time checks.
벽시계pyeokssigye: A clock hung on a wall so people can see the time in a room.
알람시계allamsigye: A clock that alerts people with sound or vibration at a set time.
탁상시계takssangsigye: A small clock kept on a desk or table where it is easy to see.

Definition in Korean

사람이 현재 시간을 알 수 있도록 시각을 표시하는 도구 전체를 이르는 말로, 휴대용에서 탁상·벽걸이형까지 포괄하는 명사sa ra mi hyeon jae si ga neul al ssu it tto rok si ga geul pyo si ha neun to gu cheon che reul i reu neun mal lo hyu dae yong e seo tak ssang pyeok kkeo ri hyeong kka ji po gwal ha neun myeong sa

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean compound formed from elements meaning time and measuring, fitting a device that measures and displays time.

Usage tips

  • English often separates clock and wristwatch, but Korean uses one everyday word for both, so context tells which kind is meant.

Other meanings

  • wristwatchnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word