일 (il)
'일' in Korean has multiple meanings, mainly 'work' and 'day', used in various contexts.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
'일' primarily means 'work' or 'task', and also 'day' when referring to dates or time.
Nuances
When to use
workplace, daily conversation, talking about dates, schedule adjustment
In context
'일' is a noun used to mean 'work' or 'day' depending on context. It appears in both casual and formal settings.
오늘은 일이 많아서 바빠요.
o-neul-eun il-i man-a-seo ba-ppa-yo., o neul eun il i man a seo ba ppa yo.
'일' correctly used to mean 'work'.
내일은 15일이에요.
nae-il-eun 15il-i-e-yo., nae il eun 15il i e yo.
'일' used properly to indicate a date.
일을 하다.
il-eul ha-da., il eul ha da.
'일' naturally combines with '하다' to mean 'do work'.
이번 주 일요일에 만나요.
i-beon ju il-yo-il-e man-na-yo., i beon ju il yo il e man na yo.
'일' is part of the weekday name 'Sunday'.
일이 잘 안 풀려요.
il-i jal an pul-ryeo-yo., il i jal an pul ryeo yo.
'일' used abstractly to mean 'matters' or 'things'.
그 사람은 일이 많다.
geu sa-ram-eun il-i man-da., geu sa ram eun il i man da.
'일' correctly denotes workload.
일이 끝나고 집에 갈게요.
il-i kkeut-na-go jip-e gal-ge-yo., il i kkeut na go jip e gal ge yo.
'일' naturally means 'work' in this sentence.
내일 일찍 일어나야 해요.
nae-il il-jjik il-eo-na-ya hae-yo., nae il il jjik il eo na ya hae yo.
First '일' means 'day', second is part of verb 'to wake up'.
Which is NOT a basic meaning of '일'?
Which sentence correctly uses '일' to mean a date?
Which sentence uses '일' to mean work?
