책 (chaek)
책 (chaek) is the basic Korean noun for 'book', commonly used in daily life, study, and business.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
책 means a bound collection of written or printed pages, or an e-book.
Nuances
When to use
daily conversation, school, library, business
In context
책 is a noun used as subject, object, or complement in sentences, usually combined with particles. Example: 책을 읽다 (to read a book), 책이 많다 (there are many books).
나는 어제 새로운 책을 샀다.
na-neun eo-je sae-ro-un chaek-eul sass-da., na neun eo je sae ro un chaek eul sass da.
'책' is correctly used as a noun and grammatically perfect.
책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.
chaek ik-neun geos-eul joh-a-hae-yo., chaek ik neun geos eul joh a hae yo.
'책' is naturally used as an object.
책이 많아서 방이 가득하다.
chaek-i man-a-seo bang-i ga-deuk-ha-da., chaek i man a seo bang i ga deuk ha da.
'책이' is an appropriate subject and the sentence is natural.
책을 쓰다.
chaek-eul sseu-da., chaek eul sseu da.
'책' is properly used as an object.
책을 먹다.
chaek-eul meok-da., chaek eul meok da.
Books are not edible, so this is grammatically incorrect.
책이 예쁘다.
chaek-i ye-ppeu-da., chaek i ye ppeu da.
Using 책 as subject to describe appearance is natural.
책을 달린다.
chaek-eul dal-rin-da., chaek eul dal rin da.
'Run' does not semantically fit with 'book'.
What is the meaning of '책'?
Which sentence correctly uses '책'?
What can '책' metaphorically mean?
