Welcome to this guide on how to say “dormitory” in Korean. Whether you are a student or someone interested in Korean language and culture, it’s essential to know the proper words to refer to a dormitory. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both the formal and informal ways to express “dormitory” in Korean, providing you with tips, examples, and even a glimpse into regional variations. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Dormitory” in Korean:
When it comes to formal language, using the correct term to refer to a dormitory in a respectable manner is important. Here are the most common formal expressions:
- 기숙사 (gi-suk-sa) – This is the standard Korean word for “dormitory” and is widely used in formal settings such as academic institutions and official documents.
- 숙소 (suk-so) – While this term can generally be used to refer to any type of lodging, it can also denote a formal dormitory depending on the context.
Tip: When communicating formally, it’s best to use “기숙사 (gi-suk-sa)” as it is the most specific and widely understood term for dormitory in Korean.
Examples:
1. 제가 대학에서 기숙사에 살 겁니다. (Je-ga dae-hak-ae gi-suk-sa-e sal geob-ni-da.)
I will live in a dormitory at university.
2. 회사에서 외국인 직원들을 위해 숙소를 제공합니다. (Hoe-sa-ae-seo wae-guk-in jik-won-deul-eul wi-hae suk-so-reul je-gong-hap-ni-da.)
The company provides lodgings for foreign employees.
Informal Ways to Say “Dormitory” in Korean:
When speaking in casual or informal settings, you may want to use more colloquial expressions for “dormitory.” Here are a couple of common options:
- 기숙사 (gi-suk-sa) – Yes, we mentioned this term earlier as a formal expression, but it’s worth noting that it can also be used informally among friends or peers.
- 싸가지/싸갈비 (ssa-ga-ji/ssa-gal-bi) – This slang term, originating from the Korean word “싸” (pronounced “ssa”), meaning cheap or tawdry, paired with “가지” (pronounced “ga-ji”) or “갈비” (pronounced “gal-bi”), which means ribs, is used humorously to refer to a dormitory due to its often tight and crowded living spaces.
Tip: Be cautious when using slang words like “싸가지/싸갈비 (ssa-ga-ji/ssa-gal-bi)” as they can be seen as disrespectful in certain situations.
Examples:
1. 여기 기숙사에 언제 들어왔어? (Yeo-gi gi-suk-sa-e eon-je deul-eo-wa-sseo?)
When did you move in here at the dormitory?
2. 새로운 싸가지에 대해 들어봤어? 정말 좁다고 해서 싸갈비라고 불리더라. (Sae-ro-un ssa-ga-ji-e dae-hae deul-eo-bwa-sseo? Jeong-mal jot-da-go hae-seo ssa-gal-bi-ra-go bul-li-deo-ra.)
Have you heard about the new dormitory? They call it “ssa-gal-bi” because it’s supposed to be really narrow.
Regional Variations:
While the terms mentioned above are widely understood across South Korea, regional variations can exist. Here are a few examples:
- 기숙사 (gi-suk-sa) – As the standard term, “기숙사” is used uniformly across the country.
- 기숙 / 가족 (gi-suk / ga-jok) – In the Jeju region, locals might refer to a dormitory as “기숙” or “가족.” Though relatively less common, it’s good to be aware of these regional variations.
Examples:
1. 여긴 기숙 와 가족이랑 같이 있어. (Yeo-gin gi-suk wa ga-jok-i-rang gat-i it-sseo.)
Here, the dormitory and family are together.
2. 제주에서는 가족과 친구들이 ‘기숙’이라고 자주 부르더라고. (Je-ju-e-seo-neun ga-jok-gwa chin-gu-deur-i ‘gi-suk’ i-ra-go ja-ju bu-reu-deo-ra-go.)
In Jeju, family and friends often call it ‘gi-suk’.
Now armed with the knowledge of formal and informal ways to say “dormitory” in Korean, as well as a glimpse into regional variations, you can confidently navigate conversations and express yourself appropriately. Remember to choose the most suitable term based on the context and level of formality. Best of luck in your Korean language journey!
