사이
sai[sʰa̠i]
The Korean word for 'between' is 사이 (sai).
사이 can describe a physical gap, space or interval between two objects. It is also used metaphorically to describe the relationship or connection between people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 사이 literally means a gap, space or interval.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate a location or a point in time 'between' two things, the particle ~에 (at/in) is often attached to the word to form 사이에.
How do you pronounce it?
sai
Did you know?
- While 사이 describes a gap or space, if you want to say two people are 'on good terms', you use the expression 사이가 좋다, which literally translates to 'the gap is good'.
- The word 사이 is a native Korean word, meaning it does not rely on Chinese characters (Sino-Korean roots) for its meaning, unlike a vast majority of Korean nouns.
- The word 사이 can be used as an adverb in the form 그사이 to mean 'meanwhile' or 'in the meantime'.
Examples in context
- 정부와 기업 사이에는 좋은 협력이 있습니다.There is a good cooperation between the government and the companies.
- 국가 간에 평화로운 관계를 유지하기 위해서는 대화의 기회가 필요합니다.To maintain peaceful relations between countries, opportunities for dialogue are necessary.
- 공항과 호텔 사이에는 많은 건물들이 있습니다.There are many buildings between the airport and the hotel.
- 점심시간에는 학교와 집 사이에서 친구들과 만나기로 했어요.During lunchtime, I decided to meet my friends between school and home.
- A와 B 사이Between A and B
- 은행과 편의점 사이에 있어요.eunhaeng-gwa pyeonuijeom sai-e isseoyo.It is between the bank and the convenience store.
- 두 사람 사이가 아주 좋아요.du saram sai-ga aju joayo.The relationship between the two people is very good.
- 사과와 배 사이에 놓으세요.sagwa-wa bae sai-e no-euseyo.Please place it between the apple and the pear.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are looking for a cafe on a map.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo카페가 어디에 있어요?kapega eodie isseoyo?Where is the cafe?
- 수빈 Su-bin서점과 약국 사이에 있어요, 현우 씨.seojeom-gwa yakguk saie isseoyo, Hyeon-u ssi.It's between the bookstore and the pharmacy, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 이제 찾았어요!a, ije chajasseoyo!Ah, I found it now!
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이에요. 같이 가요.dahaeng-ieyo. gati gayo.I'm glad. Let's go together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 사이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
