Korean word

자취

Pronunciation

Romanizationchachwi

Meaning

  • nounliving alone

Example

요즘 자취를 하는 사람들이 많아요.yo jeum cha chwi reul ha neun sa ram deu ri ma na yo

Many people live alone these days.

Illustration for 자취 (living alone)

More examples

자취방을 구하느라 바빴어요.cha chwi bang eul ku ha neu ra pa ppa sseo yo

I was busy looking for a room where I could live alone.

Core concept

Living independently as one person, handling meals, chores, and daily life without relying on a household partner.

Common phrases

  • 자취를 하다cha chwi reul ha da

    live alone

  • 자취방cha chwi bang

    room for one

  • 자취생활cha chwi saeng hwal

    living alone

  • 자취요리cha chwi yo ri

    cooking for one

Similar words

자취생chachwisaeng: A person who lives alone and handles cooking, laundry, and other daily tasks.
자취방chachwibang: A room or home used by one person for independent living.
1인 가구1in kagu: A household consisting of one resident.

Definition in Korean

혼자 살며 식사와 집안일을 스스로 챙기며 생활을 꾸려 가는 상태나 그 생활hon ja sal myeo sik ssa wa chi ba ni reul seu seu ro chaeng gi myeo saeng hwa reul kku ryeo ka neun sang tae na keu saeng hwal

Word origin

For this sense, the word comes from a Sino-Korean term for cooking for oneself and broadened to mean managing life alone.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English living alone, this word often highlights the practical work of running a household, not just the fact that no one else lives there.

Other meanings

  • tracenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 자취방chachwibangroom for onenoun
  • 자취생chachwisaengperson living alonenoun

Word lists with this word