책 읽기
chaek ilgi
The English phrase "reading book" is translated into Korean as 책 읽기 (chaek ilgi).
책 읽기 describes the literal act of reading a book. If you want to refer to reading as a hobby or a formal activity, the term 독서 is often used instead. While 책 읽기 is a descriptive phrase, 독서 is a more concise noun for the practice of reading.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 책, which means book and the nominalized form of the verb 읽다 (to read), which is 읽기.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a complete sentence, the object marker 을 is often inserted between the noun and the verb form to create 책을 읽기, which indicates that the book is the object being read.
How do you pronounce it?
chaek ilgi
Did you know?
- In South Korea, students often spend their nights in 독서실, which are professional silent study rooms that are separate from libraries and can be rented by the hour.
- The word 책 is derived from the Chinese character 冊, which originally looked like a drawing of bamboo slats tied together with string.
- Because of the honorific system, if you are describing a person of high social status reading a book, the verb for 'reading' itself may change to a more respectful form.
Examples in context
- 저는 독서를 좋아합니다.I enjoy reading books.
- 나는 책을 읽는 것을 좋아해.I like reading books.
- 제 취미는 책 읽기예요.My hobby is reading books.
- 책 읽기는 정말 즐거워요.chaek ilgi-neun jeongmal jeulgeoweoyo.Reading books is really enjoyable.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are talking about their favorite hobbies.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨는 취미가 뭐예요?jieun ssineun chwimiga mwoyeyo?Jieun, what is your hobby?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 책 읽기를 좋아해요.jeoneun chaek ilgigireul joahaeyo.I like reading books.
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 멋진 취미네요.wa, jeongmal meotjin chwimineyo.Wow, that is a really cool hobby.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨도 같이 읽을래요?dohyun ssido gachi ilgeuraeyo?Dohyun, do you want to read together?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 책, CC BY-SA 4.0.
