Korean word

일

Pronunciation

Romanizationil

Meaning

  • nounthing

Example

잠깐 일이 있어서 나중에 연락할게요.cham kkan i ri i sseo seo na jung e yeol la kal kke yo

I have something to do, so I'll contact you later.

Illustration for 일 (thing)

More examples

회의에서 맡을 일을 정했어요.hoe ui e seo ma teul i reul cheong hae sseo yo

We decided what tasks to take on at the meeting.

Core concept

One matter or piece of work that a person has to handle.

Common phrases

  • 일이 생기다i ri saeng gi da

    something comes up

  • 볼 일pol il

    something to do

  • 일을 처리하다i reul cheo ri ha da

    handle a matter

Similar words

볼일poril: A practical errand or piece of business that often requires going out.
집안일chibanil: Regular chores and care needed to keep a home running.
업무eommu: Official duties or assigned work handled for an organization.

Definition in Korean

개인이 처리해야 하는 과제나 용무, 또는 직장에서 맡는 업무를 가리키는 말kae i ni cheo ri hae ya ha neun kwa je na yong mu tto neun chik jjang e seo man neun eom mu reul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

The meaning of 일 (il, "a task or matter") developed in native Korean, unlike the separate Sino-Korean words that also sound like il.

Usage tips

  • English thing often names an object, but this noun usually points to a task, errand, or matter that needs handling.

Other meanings

  • jobnoun
  • daynoun
  • onenumeral

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word