What does 옆 mean?

옆 (yeop)

옆 (yeop) is a basic noun indicating position, meaning next to or beside something.

Illustration showing the meaning of 옆 as next to or beside

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(yeop)

옆 means the side or next to something, indicating a position beside or near an object.

Nuances

  • Implies not just position but closeness or association.
  • '옆에' can convey a friendly nuance.
  • Can be used metaphorically.

When to use

daily conversation, location description, business meeting

In context

옆 is primarily a noun used with the particle '에' to indicate location, often appearing as '옆에'. It naturally describes spatial relationships between people or objects.

Real-world examples

  • 책상 옆에 의자가 있어요.

    chaek-sang yeop-e ui-ja-ga iss-eo-yo., chaek sang yeop e ui ja ga iss eo yo.

    '옆에' naturally indicates location here.

  • 나는 친구 옆에 앉았어요.

    na-neun chin-gu yeop-e an-ass-eo-yo., na neun chin gu yeop e an ass eo yo.

    Correct sentence expressing position between people.

  • 옆 문은 열려 있어요.

    yeop mun-eun yeol-ryeo iss-eo-yo., yeop mun eun yeol ryeo iss eo yo.

    '옆 문' correctly refers to a door at the side.

  • 옆에 가서 기다려 주세요.

    yeop-e ga-seo gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo., yeop e ga seo gi da ryeo ju se yo.

    Natural expression specifying location in a command.

  • 옆에 책이 많아요.

    yeop-e chaek-i man-a-yo., yeop e chaek i man a yo.

    '옆에' properly indicates location.

  • 옆은 어디에 있어요?

    yeop-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?, yeop eun eo di e iss eo yo?

    '옆' indicates position but 'Where is the side?' is unnatural.

  • 나는 옆으로 갔어요.

    na-neun yeop-eu-ro gass-eo-yo., na neun yeop eu ro gass eo yo.

    '옆으로' correctly shows direction.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the closest meaning of 옆에?

    옆에 가장 가까운 뜻은?(yeop-ega-jangga-kka-untteus-eun?, yeopegajanggakkauntteuseun?)
  2. Which sentence uses 옆 correctly?

    다음 중 옆을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungyeop-eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungyeopeulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which is NOT a meaning of 옆?

    옆의 의미가 아닌 것은?(yeop-uiui-mi-gaa-ningeos-eun?, yeopuiuimigaaningeoseun?)

More meaning guides

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