테이블
teibeul[tʰe̞ibɯɭ]
The English word table is translated into Korean as 테이블 (teibeul) or several other forms depending on the context. Wiktionary also lists 탁자 (takja) and 상 (sang).
Meaning: item of furniture (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 테이블 | teibeul | [tʰe̞ibɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 탁자 | takja | [tʰa̠k̚t͡ɕ͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 상 | sang | [sʰa̠(ː)ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 밥상 | bapsang | [pa̠ps͈a̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Korean uses different words for a table depending on its style, purpose and height. 테이블 is used for modern Western-style furniture, while 탁자 is a more formal term that can also describe a desk or a side table. Traditional low tables used while sitting on the floor are called 상.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 밥상 is a compound word where 밥 (bap) means 'cooked rice' and 상 (sang) means 'table', literally meaning a table for rice or meals.
Which one should you use?
테이블 is a loanword from English used for modern dining or office tables. 탁자 is a Sino-Korean term that is more formal and can refer to a table, a desk or a small side table. 상 refers specifically to a traditional low table used for sitting on the floor.
How do you pronounce it?
teibeul
Did you know?
- Traditional Korean dining culture involves a 상 where each person has their own small individual table rather than everyone sharing one large communal table.
- In some contexts, 상 can refer to a ritual table used during ancestral worship, where the arrangement of food is strictly dictated by tradition.
- Because 상 is a homonym for many other concepts, the word for 'table' is written with the same sound as the words for 'award', 'statue' and 'mutual'.
Examples in context
- 이 테이블 길이는 1미터야.The table is a metre wide.This sentence is useful for describing the length of a 테이블.Tatoeba #8533920 by Eunhee, translation #8533226 by sundown
- 그 탁자는 길다.The table is long.This sentence is useful for describing the length of a 탁자.Tatoeba #13118559 by romzzo, translation #8767099 by cheeseisdisgusting
- 탁자 위에 놓고 온 것 같아.Maybe I left it on the table.This sentence is useful for describing leaving an object on a 탁자.Tatoeba #1533314 by mysonhs, translation #1348060 by CM
- 테이블에서 식사를 하다To have a meal at the table
- 회의 테이블은 크고 깔끔합니다The conference table is big and tidy
- 탁자에 앉아서 이야기를 하다To sit at the table and have a conversation
- 식탁에 음식을 올려 놓아주세요Please place the food on the table
- 저기 테이블이 비어 있나요?Is that table over there available?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are rearranging furniture in a room.
- 수빈 Su-bin이 테이블 여기로 옮길까?i teibeul yeogiro omgilkka?Shall we move this table over here?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 그게 더 좋아 보여.eung, geuge deo joa boyeo.Yes, that looks better.
- 수빈 Su-bin테이블 위에 컵 좀 치워줘.teibeul wie keop jom chiwojwo.Please clear the cups off the table.
- 민준 Min-jun알았어, 지금 치울게.arasseo, jigeum chiulge.Okay, I'll do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “table” translations and entries 테이블, 탁자, 상, 밥상, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 상, 탁자, 테이블, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
