자리

General place/location

Geographical/spatial position

General spot/area

Both '자리' and '장소' can refer to a place. Learners often struggle to differentiate when to use which.

'자리' often implies a specific, occupied, or reservable spot, like a seat or your usual workstation. '장소' is a more general term for a location or venue, like 'meeting place' or 'tourist spot.'

여기에 자리가 있어요. (There's a seat here.) vs. 만날 장소를 정해요. (Let's decide on a meeting place.)

Both words relate to position. Learners might use '위치' when '자리' is more appropriate, especially when talking about personal space.

'자리' is often about a space for a person or object to be in. '위치' refers more to the geographical or spatial coordinates/position of something, often in relation to other things or on a map.

제 자리가 어디예요? (Where is my seat?) vs. 이 건물의 위치가 어디예요? (What is the location of this building?)

'곳' is another general word for 'place,' which can overlap with '자리' in some contexts.

'곳' is a very broad term for 'place' or 'spot,' similar to '장소.' '자리' is more specific, often referring to a seat, an available spot, or someone's designated place.

좋은 곳에 가요. (Let's go to a good place.) vs. 빈 자리가 없어요. (There are no empty seats.)

'공간' means 'space,' which can be confused with '자리' when talking about an area.

'자리' is typically a specific, often small, area meant for occupation (like a seat or a desk space). '공간' refers to a more general, open, or undefined 'space' or 'room,' like 'living space' or 'empty space.'

제 자리에 앉으세요. (Please sit in my seat.) vs. 넓은 공간이 필요해요. (I need a large space.)

This is less common for A2 learners but can arise when discussing addresses, where '자리' might pop up as 'position' on a map or list.

'자리' is a general 'spot' or 'position.' '번지' specifically refers to the lot number or house number in a Korean address system, not a generic 'place.'

제 자리는 창가예요. (My seat is by the window.) vs. 저희 집 번지는 123이에요. (Our house number is 123.)