Explanation at your level:
You use 복사 when you want to make a copy. If you have one paper and you want two, you use a machine to make a 복사. It is very easy to use! Just say '복사' when you need a copy of something.
At this level, you will use 복사 in daily life. You might go to a library and ask for a 복사. Remember that 복사하다 is the verb form. For example, 'I will copy this' becomes '이것을 복사할게요'.
Intermediate learners should know that 복사 is used for both physical documents and digital files. It is a very common term in office environments. You will often hear '복사해 주세요' (Please make a copy) in professional settings.
At the upper-intermediate level, you can use 복사 in more complex contexts. For instance, you might talk about '데이터 복사' (data replication) or use it metaphorically to describe someone who mimics another person's behavior perfectly.
Advanced users understand the nuances of 복사 in legal or technical contexts. It is distinct from 복제 (cloning/reproduction), which often implies a more sophisticated or biological process. Understanding this distinction helps in professional writing.
Mastery involves recognizing the historical roots of 복사. While it is a modern term, its Sino-Korean origin links it to the tradition of calligraphy and transcription. In literary contexts, it might be used to discuss the 'copying' of history or cultural traditions.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- 복사 means copying or duplication.
- It is used for physical papers and digital files.
- The machine is called a 복사기.
- It is a very common and neutral term.
When you hear the word 복사 (bok-sa), think of creating a twin! It is the standard Korean term for 'copying' or 'duplication.' Whether you are using a photocopier at school or hitting Ctrl+C on your computer, you are performing a '복사'.
It is a very versatile word. You can use it for physical papers, digital files, or even metaphorical 'copying' of someone's style or actions. It is a fundamental word in modern life because we are constantly duplicating information to share it with others.
The word 복사 is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja: 複寫). The first character, 複 (bok), means 'double' or 'repeated.' The second character, 寫 (sa), means 'to write' or 'to transcribe.'
Historically, this term was used for manual transcription, where a scribe would copy a document by hand. With the invention of the printing press and later the xerographic copier, the meaning expanded to include mechanical and digital reproduction. It is a perfect example of how ancient characters adapt to modern technology.
You will see 복사 everywhere in a professional or academic setting. The most common verb used with it is 하다 (to do), making 복사하다 (to copy).
In an office, you might say, '이 서류 좀 복사해 주세요' (Please copy this document). If you are working on a computer, you might mention '파일 복사' (file copy). It is a neutral, everyday term that fits almost any situation where you need to duplicate something.
While '복사' is mostly a technical noun, it appears in several common phrases. 1. 복사 붙여넣기 (Copy and paste): Used for digital tasks or metaphorically for repeating someone else's ideas. 2. 복사본 (Copy/Duplicate): Used to distinguish a copy from the original. 3. 판박이 (A spitting image): While not '복사', it is often used when someone looks like a 'copy' of another person. 4. 복사기 (Photocopier): The machine itself. 5. 복사열 (Heat from a copier): Sometimes used in office complaints!
As a noun, 복사 is simple to use. It does not have plural forms in Korean, as the context usually clarifies if you mean one copy or many. To make it a verb, just add -하다.
Pronunciation is straightforward: 'bok' sounds like the 'bok' in 'box' (without the s), and 'sa' sounds like 'saw' without the w. There is no special stress pattern; just keep it flat and clear.
Fun Fact
The character '寫' originally referred to drawing or painting.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear b-o-k-s-a sounds.
Same as UK.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'bok' as 'bo'
- Swallowing the 'sa'
- Misplacing the pitch
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Simple to write.
Very common word.
Clear sound.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Noun + 하다
복사하다
Object Marker (를/을)
복사를 하다
Polite Request (-해 주세요)
복사해 주세요
Examples by Level
복사 한 장 해주세요.
Copy one sheet please.
Noun + object marker.
이것은 복사입니다.
This is a copy.
Simple copula.
복사기가 어디에 있어요?
Where is the copier?
Location marker.
복사할 수 있어요?
Can you copy?
Ability verb.
복사본을 주세요.
Give me the copy.
Noun compound.
복사가 필요해요.
I need a copy.
Need verb.
복사 좀 해주세요.
Please do a copy.
Polite imperative.
복사 완료!
Copy complete!
Noun phrase.
복사하는 것을 도와줄 수 있나요?
이 문서를 복사해야 합니다.
복사기가 고장 났어요.
복사본은 어디에 있나요?
파일을 복사해서 보내주세요.
복사 비용은 얼마인가요?
복사할 종이가 부족해요.
복사된 자료를 확인하세요.
중요한 서류니 복사를 미리 해두세요.
컴퓨터에서 파일을 복사하는 중입니다.
원본과 복사본을 비교해 보세요.
복사기 사용법을 알려주세요.
이 자료는 복사가 금지되어 있습니다.
복사 붙여넣기를 하면 금방 끝나요.
복사본을 하나 더 만들어 주세요.
복사된 글자가 흐릿하게 보여요.
그는 스승의 행동을 그대로 복사하듯 따라 했다.
데이터를 안전하게 복사해 두는 것이 좋습니다.
이 책은 복사본이 시중에 많이 나와 있다.
복사기 토너가 다 떨어져서 교체해야 합니다.
디지털 복사 기술이 매우 발전했습니다.
복사본을 제출해도 괜찮을까요?
그의 그림은 원작을 복사한 것처럼 정교하다.
복사 과정에서 오류가 발생했습니다.
그는 타인의 문체를 복사하는 데 탁월한 재능이 있다.
복제와 복사의 경계가 모호해지는 시대입니다.
이 문서는 복사본임을 증명하는 도장이 찍혀 있다.
복사된 정보의 신뢰성을 검토해야 합니다.
역사는 때로 과거의 사건을 복사하는 듯 반복된다.
불법 복사 방지를 위한 기술이 도입되었습니다.
복사본을 원본처럼 위조하는 행위는 범죄입니다.
그의 연설은 과거 유명 정치인의 스타일을 복사한 것이다.
문화적 복사 현상은 현대 사회의 정체성을 위협하기도 한다.
고대 필사본의 복사 과정에서 오류가 발생했을 가능성이 높다.
복사된 이미지의 질감이 원본의 미학을 온전히 담아내지 못한다.
디지털 시대의 복사는 원본의 개념을 근본적으로 뒤흔들고 있다.
그 작가는 고전의 형식을 복사하여 새로운 서사를 창조했다.
복사된 기억은 실제 경험과 어떻게 다른가?
생물학적 복사 기술은 윤리적 논쟁의 중심에 있다.
원본 없는 복사본들의 향연이 현대 예술의 특징이다.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"복사 붙여넣기"
Copy and paste; doing something unoriginal.
그의 의견은 인터넷에서 복사 붙여넣기 한 것 같다.
casual"붕어빵"
Like two peas in a pod (looks like a copy).
아빠와 아들이 붕어빵이다.
casual"판박이"
Spitting image.
엄마 판박이네!
casual"베껴 쓰기"
Copying by hand.
글씨 연습을 위해 베껴 쓰기를 한다.
neutral"복제 인간"
Clone.
복제 인간에 대한 영화가 많다.
neutral"그림자처럼"
Like a shadow (following/copying).
그는 스승을 그림자처럼 따라다녔다.
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean reproduction.
복사 is for documents, 복제 is for data/cloning.
문서 복사 vs 데이터 복제
Both mean copying.
베끼기 implies manual/cheating context.
숙제 베끼기
Both involve copying.
모사 is for art/style.
그림 모사
Both mean repeating.
재현 is for events/scenes.
사건 재현
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Noun + 를/을 복사하다
나는 문서를 복사했다.
Noun + 복사본
이것은 서류 복사본입니다.
복사기 + 에서 + Verb
복사기에서 종이가 나왔다.
불법 + 복사
불법 복사는 범죄입니다.
복사 + 붙여넣기
복사 붙여넣기를 완료했습니다.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Verwandt
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
The verb is naturally combined as 복사하다.
While '복사를 하다' is grammatically correct, '복사하다' is more concise.
Using '복사하다' is more direct for the action.
Confusing the scope of these words.
Register difference.
Tips
Visual Trick
Imagine a 'Box' (Bok) of 'Samples' (Sa).
Office Context
Always use '복사해 주세요' for requests.
Office Culture
Copying documents is a daily task in Korean offices.
Verb Conversion
Most nouns ending in Hanja become verbs with -하다.
Clear Vowels
Keep 'o' and 'a' distinct.
Plagiarism
Avoid using '베끼기' for official work.
History
It comes from ancient transcription traditions.
Flashcards
Use '복사' on one side and 'Copy' on the other.
Rhythm
It has two equal beats.
Digital
Use it for 'Ctrl+C' actions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Bok (Box) + Sa (Save) = Save in a box (copy).
Visual Association
A stack of identical papers coming out of a machine.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to say '이것 좀 복사해 주세요' to a friend today.
Wortherkunft
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Double writing/transcription
Kultureller Kontext
None, but '베끼기' can be sensitive as it implies plagiarism.
Directly maps to the English concept of 'copying'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Office
- 복사 좀 해주세요
- 복사기가 고장 났어요
- 복사본이 필요합니다
School
- 프린트 복사할게요
- 복사비 얼마예요?
- 복사해 오세요
Computer
- 파일 복사 중입니다
- 복사 붙여넣기 하세요
- 데이터 복사 완료
Library
- 복사 카드 있나요?
- 이 책 복사 가능한가요?
- 복사기 어디 있어요?
Conversation Starters
"오늘 복사기 사용해 보셨나요?"
"복사 붙여넣기 기능을 자주 쓰시나요?"
"중요한 서류를 복사해야 할 때 어디로 가시나요?"
"복사본과 원본을 구분하기 어렵지 않나요?"
"디지털 복사가 종이 복사보다 편한 이유가 뭘까요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the last time you had to make a copy of a document.
Why is 'copying' important in our modern world?
How do you feel about digital file copying compared to physical paper copying?
If you could 'copy' anything in your life, what would it be?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, 복사 is for documents/files, 복제 is for cloning/data.
Only metaphorically, like 'He is a copy of his father'.
복사하다.
It is casual; use 복사해 주세요 for politeness.
Sino-Korean characters.
No, Korean nouns don't have plural forms.
복사기.
Yes, but be careful of the word 베끼기 which means cheating.
Teste dich selbst
이 서류를 ___ 해주세요.
복사 is the correct word for copying.
What is a '복사기'?
복사기 is a photocopier.
복사하다 means to delete.
It means to copy.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching terms with meanings.
Standard polite request structure.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
복사 is your go-to word for making an identical duplicate of anything, whether it is a paper document or a digital file.
- 복사 means copying or duplication.
- It is used for physical papers and digital files.
- The machine is called a 복사기.
- It is a very common and neutral term.
Visual Trick
Imagine a 'Box' (Bok) of 'Samples' (Sa).
Office Context
Always use '복사해 주세요' for requests.
Office Culture
Copying documents is a daily task in Korean offices.
Verb Conversion
Most nouns ending in Hanja become verbs with -하다.
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