Korean Conversation · Level 128
15 words
Korean word
이성
Pronunciation
Romanizationiseong
Meaning
- nounopposite sex
Example
저는 이성 친구를 만나고 싶어요.cheo neun i seong chin gu reul man na go si peo yo
I want to meet a friend of the opposite sex.
More examples
요즘은 이성 친구를 사귀는 사람이 많아요.yo jeu meun i seong chin gu reul sa gwi neun sa ra mi ma na yo
These days, many people make friends with people of the opposite sex.
Core concept
A person whose gender differs from one's own, viewed as a person rather than only as a romantic partner.
Common phrases
이성 친구i seong chin gu
opposite-sex friend
이성 교제i seong kyo je
opposite-sex dating
이성 관계i seong kwan gye
opposite-sex relationship
Similar words
이성 친구iseong chingu: A friend of a different gender from the person speaking.
동성tongseong: A person whose gender is the same as one's own.
연인yeonin: A specific person in a romantic relationship with someone.
이성애자iseongaeja: A person who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of a different gender.
Definition in Korean
생물학적이거나 사회적으로 자신과 다른 성별의 사람을 이르는 말로, 연애 상대뿐 아니라 친구나 지인에게도 쓰인다.saeng mul hak jjeo gi geo na sa hoe jeo geu ro cha sin gwa ta reun seong byeo rui sa ra meul i reu neun mal lo yeo nae sang dae ppun a ni ra chin gu na chi i ne ge do sseu in da
Word origin
This sense is a Sino-Korean formation of elements meaning "different" and "sex", distinct in origin from the homophonous word meaning "reason".
Usage tips
- Calling someone this does not by itself signal a crush, because the term also fits ordinary friendships and social connections.
Other meanings
- reasonnoun
Opposites
- 동성tongseongsame sexnoun
Related words
- 이성애iseongaeheterosexualitynoun
- 이성애자iseongaejaheterosexualnoun