저녁 시간
jeonyeok sigan
The English phrase "dinner time" is translated into Korean as 저녁 시간 (jeonyeok sigan).
저녁 시간 is used to refer to the time of day when the evening meal is eaten. Depending on the context, it can also mean the general evening time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 저녁, which means "dinner" and 시간, which means "time".
Which one should you use?
While 저녁 시간 can mean "dinner time", 저녁 식사 시간 is a more specific way to refer to the time set aside for the actual act of eating the meal.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonyeok sigan
Did you know?
- In Korean, if you use the wrong Hanja (Chinese characters) for the word 시간, it can accidentally mean 'hard times' (時艱) or even more gruesome things involving 'corpses' (屍).
- The word 저녁 is believed to be linked to the verb 저물다, which means 'to get dark'. This suggests that, historically, 'dinner time' was defined by the onset of twilight rather than the meal itself.
- In a social context, asking about 저녁 시간 can be a subtle way of inviting someone to a meal without explicitly asking them to eat.
Examples in context
- 저녁 시간이 언제예요?When is dinner time?
- 일반적으로 6시쯤이에요.Generally around 6 o'clock.
- 밥 먹을 시간이야!It's time to eat dinner!
- 오늘 저녁 메뉴 뭐야?What's on the menu for dinner tonight?
- 저녁 시간이에요.jeonyeok siganieyo.It is dinner time.
- 저녁 시간이 되었어요.jeonyeok sigani doe-eosseoyo.It has become dinner time.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are at home in the evening.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 저녁 시간이에요.Subin-ssi, jeonyeok siganieyo.Subin, it is dinner time.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 배고파요.Jeongmallyo? Baegopayo.Really? I am hungry.
- 민준 Min-jun어서 와서 식사해요.Eoseo waseo siksahae-yo.Come and eat quickly.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 민준 씨.Ne, Minjun-ssi.Yes, Minjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시간, 저녁, CC BY-SA 4.0.
