개월
gaewol
The English phrase 'months' is translated into Korean as 개월 (gaewol).
개월 is a term used to count the duration of a period of time in months. For example, you can use the phrase 몇 개월 to ask 'how many months'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between how you count months based on the number system used. In contrast, the native Korean word 달 is used with native Korean numbers (for example, 한 달) to express the same concept of a month or duration.
How does it change in a sentence?
개월 functions as a counter specifically for counting months and must always be preceded by a number. To ask the question 'how many months', place the interrogative 몇 before 개월.
How do you pronounce it?
gaewol
Did you know?
- The native Korean word for month, 달, is also the word for 'moon', linking the celestial body directly to the passage of time in the language.
- The word 개월 is composed of the Sino-Korean characters for 'individual' and 'month', essentially meaning 'individual months'.
- The word 월 is used for the name of a month (like 'January'), whereas 개월 is strictly for counting the number of months.
Examples in context
- 그 프로젝트는 육 개월 걸려요.geu peu-ro-jek-teu-neun yuk gae-wol geol-ryeo-yo.That project takes six months.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are discussing a new hobby.
- 민준 Min-jun한국어를 공부한 지 몇 개월 됐어요?Han-guk-eo-reul gong-bu-han ji myeot gae-wol dwae-sseo-yo?How many months has it been since you started studying Korean?
- 민지 Min-ji이제 겨우 두 개월 되었어요.I-je gyeo-u du gae-wol doe-eo-sseo-yo.It has only been two months.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 대단해요, 민지 씨!Jeong-mal dae-dan-hae-yo, Min-ji ssi!That is truly amazing, Minji!
- 민지 Min-ji아직 많이 부족해요.A-jik ma-ni bu-jok-hae-yo.I still have a long way to go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 개월, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
