이틀
iteul
The phrase "two days" in Korean is translated as 이틀 (iteul).
이틀 is used to refer to a period of time lasting forty-eight hours.
Which one should you use?
이틀 is a specific native Korean word used for the number two when counting days. It is not a combination of the number two (둘) and a day counter.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the duration of "for two days", you can add the particle 동안 after the word to form 이틀 동안.
How do you pronounce it?
iteul
Did you know?
- In modern South Korea, speakers often confuse 사흘 ('three days') with 이틀 ('two days') or mistake it for 'four days' because the number four is 사 in Sino-Korean.
- The first written record of 이틀 appears in the 1481 text 분류두공부시언해, where it was written as 이틀〮 with a special tone mark.
- The word 이틀 is closely related to 이듬해, which means 'the next year'. Both share an ancient root that refers to the concept of a 'second' occurrence.
Examples in context
- 제출 기한은 이틀 후입니다.The deadline is two days from now.
- 이틀 동안 여행을 했어요.iteul dongan yeohaeng-eul haesseoyo.I traveled for two days.
- 이틀이면 다 끝낼 수 있어요.iteul-imyeon da kkeun-nael su isseoyo.I can finish it in two days.
- 이틀 전에 그를 만났어요.iteul jeone geureul mannasseoyo.I met him two days ago.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are discussing a project deadline.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 숙제 언제 끝나요?Subin ssi, sukje eonje kkeun-nayo?Subin, when will you finish the homework?
- 수빈 Su-bin이틀 정도 더 걸릴 것 같아요.iteul jeongdo deo geollil geot gat-ayo.I think it will take about two more days.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo생각보다 오래 걸리네요.saenggakboda orae geollineyo.It's taking longer than I thought.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 내용이 너무 많아요.ne, naeyongi neomu manh-ayo.Yes, there is too much content.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이틀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
