빗자루
bitjaru[pit̚t͡ɕ͈a̠ɾu]
The English phrase 'broom' is translated into Korean as 빗자루 (bitjaru). Wiktionary also lists 비 (bi).
Meaning: domestic utensil (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 빗자루 | bitjaru | [pit̚t͡ɕ͈a̠ɾu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pit͡ɕ͈a̠ɾu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 비 | bi | [pi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
A broom is a domestic utensil. In Korean, you can use both 빗자루 and 비 to refer to a broom. To express using a broom as a tool, you add the particle 로 (ro) to 빗자루, forming 빗자루로.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 빗자루 is a compound of 빗 (comb) and 자루 (handle/shaft), though in modern usage it refers specifically to a broom.
How do you pronounce it?
bitjaru
Did you know?
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'broom' was written and pronounced as 비〮, utilizing a tonal mark that no longer exists in modern Korean.
- The word 비 is a homonym for several distinct concepts, including 'tombstone' and 'to prohibit', which are derived from different Chinese characters.
- The word 비 for 'broom' was recorded as early as 1103 in the 계림유사, making it a remarkably ancient term for a household tool.
Examples in context
- 그는 바닥을 가로질러 빗자루를 밀고 있다.He's pushing a broom across the floor.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form 빗자루 while describing an action.
- 방을 비로 쓸다To sweep the room with a broomThis sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form 비 as a tool to sweep.
- 구석에 있는 빗자루를 가져와 주세요.guseoge inneun bitjarureul gajyeowa juseyo.Please bring the broom in the corner.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are cleaning the living room together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 빗자루가 어디에 있어요?Minji-ssi, bitjaruga eodie isseoyo?Minji, where is the broom?
- 민지 Min-ji저기 현우 씨, 베란다에 있어요.Jeogi Hyunwoo-ssi, berandae isseoyo.Over there, Hyunwoo, it's on the veranda.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알겠어요. 제가 가져올게요.Algesseoyo. Jega gajyeoolgeyo.I see. I will go get it.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요. 빨리 쓸어야 해요.Gomawoyo. Ppalli sseureoya haeyo.Thank you. We need to sweep quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broom” translations and entries 빗자루, 비, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비, 빗자루, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
