Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #6,500 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

천지

cheonji Top 6,500

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps 천지 in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung 천지 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most common and simple use of 천지 (Cheonji): describing a place that is 'full of' something. Think of it as a more exciting way to say 'there are many.' For example, if you see a lot of flowers, you can say '꽃 천지예요' (It's a world of flowers). It is usually used with the verb '이다' (to be) attached directly to it. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the deep philosophical meanings. Just remember that it means 'everywhere' or 'so many' when you see a lot of one thing in one place. It's a great word to use when you are surprised by a crowd or a beautiful field of nature. Just remember the pattern: [Noun] + 천지예요. It's simple, fun, and makes you sound much more like a native speaker than just using '많아요' (there are many) all the time. Practice saying '사람 천지예요' when you go to a busy market!

At the A2 level, you can start to understand the literal meaning of 'Heaven and Earth' and how it forms the name of the famous lake on Mount Paektu. You will see 백두산 천지 in many Korean travel photos or textbooks. You should also start using it to describe weather or natural scenes more vividly. For example, '눈 천지' (a world of snow) after a big storm. You are moving beyond just 'many' to 'covered in.' You might also encounter the word in simple idioms like '천지차이' (a world of difference). If someone asks if two things are similar, and they are very different, you can say '천지차이예요!' This level is about expanding the contexts where you use the word, from just 'crowds' to 'nature' and 'comparisons.' You should also be careful not to confuse it with '천재' (genius), which is a common mistake at this stage. Keep practicing the [Noun] + 천지 pattern but try applying it to more diverse nouns like '물' (water), '돈' (money), or '일' (work).

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

For B1 learners, 천지 becomes a tool for more nuanced expression. You should understand its use in media and literature. For instance, you might read a story where the '천지' is described as shaking during an earthquake or a great battle. This is the more literal 'Heaven and Earth' meaning. You should also become comfortable with the negative or hyperbolic use of the word. If you are frustrated with your room, you might say '먼지 천지네' (It's nothing but dust). At this level, you should also recognize the word in slightly more formal settings, like news reports describing a 'huge difference' (천지차이) between two economic policies. You should start to notice the difference between '천지' and '세상' (world). While '세상' is the world we live in, '천지' often refers to the physical or cosmic entirety. Try to use it in your writing to add color to your descriptions. Instead of saying 'There were many people at the concert,' try '콘서트장이 사람 천지였어요' to convey the overwhelming atmosphere.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you should delve into the Hanja roots: 天 (Sky) and 地 (Earth). This will help you understand a whole family of related words like '천지개벽' (the creation of the universe/a massive change) or '천지신명' (gods of heaven and earth). You should be able to appreciate the poetic and historical weight the word carries in traditional Korean culture. In your speaking, you can use '천지' to make strong rhetorical points. For example, comparing the past and present of Korea by saying it's a '천지개벽' level of change. You should also be able to distinguish between '천지' and other synonyms like '도처' (everywhere) or '사방' (all directions) in formal writing. B2 learners should also be aware of the register; while '사람 천지' is fine for conversation, in a formal essay, you might prefer '인산인해' (a sea of people). Understanding when *not* to use '천지' is just as important as knowing when to use it. You should also be familiar with the lake '천지' in the context of Korean history and its symbolic importance as the birthplace of the Korean people in mythology.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

C1 learners should master the philosophical and metaphorical extensions of 천지. You will encounter this word in classical literature, philosophical treatises, and high-level political discourse. It represents the 'Macrocosm' in traditional thought. You should understand how '천지' relates to the concept of 'In-naesan' (Man is Heaven) or other Korean spiritual ideologies. In modern contexts, you'll see it used in sophisticated irony or satire in newspaper editorials. For example, describing a political scandal as '비리 천지' (a world of corruption). You should also be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as '천지가 진동할 만큼 큰 뉴스' (news big enough to shake heaven and earth). Your grasp of the word should include its role in proverbs and four-character idioms (사자성어). At this level, you are expected to use '천지' not just as a descriptor of quantity, but as a conceptual framework for discussing the world, nature, and human existence. You should be able to discuss the aesthetic beauty of '백두산 천지' using advanced vocabulary and poetic expressions.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, your understanding of 천지 is near-native and encompasses its deepest historical, linguistic, and cultural roots. You can analyze the evolution of the word from its origins in the I Ching (Book of Changes) to its modern colloquial use. You are comfortable using it in any register, from the most archaic 'sageuk' dialogue to the trendiest slang. You understand the subtle emotional undertones when a speaker chooses '천지' over '만재' (being loaded with) or '충만' (fullness). You can participate in debates about the symbolic significance of 'Cheonji' on Mount Paektu in the context of Korean unification and national identity. You should be able to produce creative writing that utilizes '천지' to evoke a sense of the sublime or the chaotic. Your mastery includes knowing the rarest idioms involving these characters and being able to explain the nuances of 'Cheonji' to other learners. You see the word not just as a vocabulary item, but as a window into the Korean psyche—a bridge between the ancient cosmic order and the bustling, crowded reality of modern Korea.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

천지 in 30 Sekunden

Literally 'Heaven and Earth,' representing the entire universe or world.
Commonly used to mean 'everywhere' or 'full of' (e.g., 'people everywhere').
Refers to the famous crater lake 'Cheonji' on Mount Paektu.
Used in idioms like '천지차이' to show a massive difference between two things.

The Korean word 천지 (Cheonji) is a fascinating noun that carries both cosmic weight and everyday practicality. Rooted in the Chinese characters 天 (Cheon - Heaven) and 地 (Ji - Earth), its most literal meaning is the entire universe or the world encompassing everything between the sky and the ground. However, in contemporary Korean, you are just as likely to hear it used to describe a place that is 'overflowing' or 'covered' with something. It is a word that bridges the gap between ancient philosophy and modern hyperbole.

Literal Universe: In literary or historical contexts, '천지' refers to the creation of the world or the natural order. It represents the duality of the cosmos.
Abundance/Everywhere: Colloquially, it describes a state where something is so common that it seems to fill the entire world. For example, '꽃 천지' means a place covered in flowers.
Geographical Landmark: It is also the specific name of the crater lake atop Mount Paektu (백두산 천지), which holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Koreans.

봄이 되니 공원에 꽃 천지예요.
Translation: Since it's spring, the park is covered in flowers (flowers are everywhere).

Understanding '천지' requires recognizing the speaker's intent. If a scientist uses it, they might be talking about the formation of the earth. If a shopper uses it, they might be complaining that the mall is '사람 천지' (swarming with people). This versatility makes it a high-frequency word despite its lofty origins. It captures the Korean tendency to use grand metaphors to describe mundane situations. When you say a room is '장난감 천지' (a world of toys), you are painting a vivid picture of chaos and abundance that '많다' (to be many) simply cannot achieve.

천지개벽(天地開闢) 수준의 변화입니다.
Context: Describing a massive, world-changing transformation (like the creation of heaven and earth).

Historically, '천지' is deeply rooted in Neo-Confucianism and Taoism, where the harmony between Heaven and Earth was the ultimate goal of governance and personal morality. This is why you see it in the names of martial arts moves, philosophical texts, and even national symbols. In the modern era, the word has been 'democratized.' You'll find it in news headlines describing a 'money-filled world' (돈 천지) or a 'garbage-filled beach' (쓰레기 천지). This shift from the sacred to the profane is a common evolution in the Korean language, where Hanja terms become idiomatic boosters for everyday descriptions.

백두산 천지는 정말 아름다워요.
Translation: The Cheonji lake on Mount Paektu is truly beautiful.

Using 천지 correctly depends on whether you are using it as a standalone noun or as a predicate to describe a state. The most common grammatical pattern for learners is [Noun] + 천지이다. This translates to 'to be full of [Noun]' or '[Noun] is everywhere.' It is a very expressive way to emphasize quantity.

The Predicate Form ([Noun] + 천지다): This is the 'Everywhere' usage. Example: '주차장에 차가 천지예요' (The parking lot is full of cars / Cars are everywhere).
The Modifier Form (천지...): Used in compound words or poetic phrases. Example: '천지신명' (Gods of heaven and earth).
The Comparative Idiom (천지차이): Meaning 'a world of difference' or 'as different as heaven and earth.' Example: '실력 차이가 천지차이에요.'

비가 오고 나니 길에 지렁이 천지네!
Translation: After the rain, there are earthworms everywhere on the road!

When using '천지' to mean 'abundance,' it often carries a slightly informal or hyperbolic tone. You wouldn't typically use it in a formal scientific report to mean 'high concentration,' but you would use it in a blog post, a novel, or in daily conversation to vent or marvel. It is particularly effective when you want to complain about something negative being ubiquitous. For instance, '인터넷에 가짜 뉴스가 천지다' (The internet is full of fake news) sounds much more impactful than just saying there is a lot of it.

그의 말은 거짓말 천지였다.
Translation: His words were full of lies (nothing but lies).

In more advanced usage, you can see '천지' paired with verbs like '진동하다' (to vibrate/shake) to describe something that shakes the whole world (천지를 진동시키다), often used for loud noises or massive news. This elevates the word back to its grand, cosmic origins. Beginners should focus on the '[Noun] + 천지' pattern first, as it is incredibly useful for describing scenes where you are overwhelmed by the number of things present, whether it's '사람' (people), '물' (water), or '먼지' (dust).

You will encounter 천지 in three primary environments: everyday complaints, travel documentaries, and historical dramas (Sageuks). Each context utilizes a different shade of the word's meaning, making it a versatile tool for any Korean learner's repertoire.

In Daily Life (The 'Everywhere' Meaning): Walk into a crowded subway during rush hour, and you'll hear someone mutter, '사람 천지네' (It's just people everywhere). It's the go-to word for being overwhelmed by quantity.
In Tourism and Geography: Mount Paektu's 'Cheonji' is a national icon. You'll see it in school textbooks, on the news when discussing North-South relations, and in travel vlogs. It's often called '민족의 영산' (The sacred mountain of the people).
In Historical Dramas (The 'Universe' Meaning): Characters might swear by '천지신명' (The gods of heaven and earth) or talk about '천지개벽' (The beginning of the world). Here, it retains its majestic, ancient aura.

“이 바다에는 물고기가 천지구나!”
Scene: A fisherman surprised by a huge catch. Translation: “This sea is just full of fish!”

In the world of K-Drama, especially those set in the Joseon dynasty, '천지' is used to emphasize the scale of an event. If a king's death is mentioned, they might say the '천지' is mourning. This personification of the universe is a hallmark of traditional Korean thought. Conversely, in a modern rom-com, a character might walk into a messy room and shout, '방이 쓰레기 천지야!' (The room is a trash heaven/full of trash!). This contrast between the sacred and the mundane is exactly what makes the word so expressive.

세일 기간이라 백화점에 사람 천지였어요.
Translation: It was the sale period, so the department store was crawling with people.

Finally, in news reporting, '천지' appears in idioms like '천지차이' (huge difference). When comparing the economic growth of two decades or the price of housing in different areas, reporters will use this to emphasize that the two things are as different as the sky and the ground. It is a powerful rhetorical device that instantly communicates a massive scale of difference to the audience.

While 천지 is a relatively simple word, its dual nature (cosmic vs. colloquial) can lead to some common pitfalls for English speakers. The most frequent errors involve confusion with similar-sounding words or using the word in an inappropriate register.

Confusion with '천재' (Cheon-jae): Because they both start with '천' (Heaven), students often mix up '천지' (Universe/Everywhere) with '천재' (Genius). Remember: 'Ji' is Earth, 'Jae' is Talent.
Overusing it for 'Many': '천지' implies an overwhelming amount. Using it for a small group of people (e.g., 5 people in a room) sounds strange and sarcastic. Use '많다' for general 'many.'
Wrong Particle Attachment: Learners often try to say '천지를 있다' which is grammatically incorrect. It should be '[Noun] 천지이다' or '[Noun]이/가 천지다'.

❌ 이 나라는 천재예요. (This country is a genius.)
✅ 이 나라는 보물 천지예요. (This country is full of treasures.)

Another mistake is failing to recognize the cultural weight of the word when used in the context of Mount Paektu. If you are talking about the lake, you must use it as a proper noun. Referring to it as 'a heaven and earth' (한 천지) would be like calling the Grand Canyon 'a big hole.' It requires the respect of a proper name. In terms of register, while the 'everywhere' meaning is common, it can sound a bit blunt. In very formal business meetings, if you want to say there are many opportunities, using '기회 천지' might sound too casual or exaggerated; '기회가 아주 많습니다' is safer.

❌ 사람이 천지에요. (People are in the universe - sounds weirdly philosophical.)
✅ 사람 천지예요. (It's full of people - correct colloquial usage.)

Lastly, be careful with the idiom '천지차이'. It is used to compare two specific things. You cannot just say '이것은 천지차이입니다' without a clear context of what is being compared. It's like saying 'This is worlds apart' without mentioning the other world. Always use it in the structure 'A와 B는 천지차이다' (A and B are as different as heaven and earth).

Korean has several words that overlap with 천지, but each has its own specific nuance and level of formality. Choosing the right one will make your Korean sound more natural and precise.

우주 (U-ju) vs. 천지: '우주' is the scientific term for 'Outer Space' or 'The Universe.' While '천지' has a philosophical/poetic feel of 'everything under the sun,' '우주' is what you use when talking about planets, stars, and NASA.
세상 (Se-sang) vs. 천지: '세상' is the most common word for 'the world' or 'society.' If you want to say 'The world is changing,' use '세상.' If you want to say 'The whole world was shaken by the news,' '천지' adds a more dramatic, epic scale.
곳곳 (Got-got) vs. 천지: '곳곳' means 'here and there' or 'everywhere.' It is more literal and less hyperbolic than '천지.' '먼지가 곳곳에 있다' (Dust is here and there) vs. '먼지 천지다' (It's a world of dust/covered in dust).

“이 방은 쓰레기 천지군!” vs. “이 방은 쓰레기가 많군.”
The first (천지) sounds like a shocked exclamation; the second (많다) is a simple statement of fact.

For the meaning of 'abundance,' another alternative is 가득하다 (to be full of). While '천지다' is a noun-based description, '가득하다' is an adjective. '기쁨이 가득하다' (Full of joy) is more standard and elegant. '천지' is more visceral. You'll often hear '물 반 고기 반' (half water, half fish) as a fun alternative to '고기 천지' when talking about a good fishing spot. In academic writing, you would replace '천지' with terms like 전 세계 (the whole world) or 도처에 (everywhere/ubiquitous).

어딜 가나 사람 천지예요. (Everywhere I go, it's a world of people.)
Note: This combines '어딜 가나' (wherever one goes) with '천지' for maximum emphasis.

Understanding these subtle differences allows you to switch between a neutral tone and an expressive one. Using '천지' correctly shows that you understand the emotional and descriptive nuances of Korean, moving beyond basic 'there is/there are' sentences into more native-like expressions of surprise, annoyance, or awe.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The lake 'Cheonji' on Mount Paektu is so named because it is so high up that it feels like the meeting point of heaven and earth.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tɕʰʌndʑi/

US /tʃʌndʒi/

The stress is balanced between both syllables, as is common in Korean, but the first syllable often carries a slightly higher pitch in exclamation.

Reimt sich auf

편지 (pyeon-ji - letter) 단지 (dan-ji - only/jar) 인지 (in-ji - cognition) 현지 (hyeon-ji - local) 정지 (jeong-ji - stop) 연지 (yeon-ji - rouge) 간지 (gan-ji - style) 번지 (beon-ji - address)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'cheon' like 'shon'. It must be an aspirated 'ch'.
Pronouncing 'ji' as 'chee'. It should be a voiced 'j'.
Mixing it up with 'cheon-jae' (genius).
Over-stressing the second syllable.
Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in 'cheon'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to read, but requires Hanja knowledge for advanced meanings.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires understanding of the '[Noun] 천지다' pattern.

Sprechen 2/5

Very common in daily exclamation.

Hören 2/5

Easy to hear in variety shows and dramas.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

하늘 (Sky) 땅 (Ground) 많다 (To be many) 다르다 (To be different) 세상 (World)

Als Nächstes lernen

우주 (Universe) 자연 (Nature) 차이 (Difference) 개벽 (Creation/Opening) 가득하다 (To be full)

Fortgeschritten

인산인해 (Sea of people) 조화 (Harmony) 음양 (Yin and Yang) 만물 (All things) 신명 (Gods/Spirits)

Wichtige Grammatik

Noun + 이다 (Predicate)

여기는 사람 천지이다.

Noun + 차이 (Comparison)

가격이 천지차이이다.

온 + Noun (Entirety)

온 천지가 눈이다.

Noun + 간 (Between/In)

천지간에 아무도 없다.

Hanja Compound Formation

천지 + 개벽 = 천지개벽.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

공원에 꽃 천지예요.

The park is full of flowers.

Noun + 천지예요 is a common way to say 'full of' or 'everywhere'.

시장에 사람 천지예요.

The market is full of people.

Use this when you are surprised by how many people there are.

방에 장난감 천지예요.

The room is full of toys.

천지 often describes a messy or crowded state.

여기는 물 천지예요.

This place is full of water.

Can be used literally for water being everywhere.

하늘에 구름 천지예요.

The sky is full of clouds.

Describes the state of the sky.

길에 차 천지예요.

The road is full of cars.

Similar to 'traffic is heavy'.

바다에 물고기 천지예요.

The sea is full of fish.

Common expression for a good fishing spot.

산에 나무 천지예요.

The mountain is full of trees.

Simple descriptive use.

백두산 천지는 정말 아름다워요.

The Cheonji lake on Mount Paektu is really beautiful.

Here '천지' is a proper noun (name of a lake).

어제는 눈 천지였어요.

Yesterday was a world of snow.

Using the past tense '천지였다'.

두 사람의 성격은 천지차이예요.

The two people's personalities are worlds apart.

천지차이 (Heaven-Earth-Difference) is a very common idiom.

여기는 맛있는 음식 천지네요!

This place is full of delicious food!

Adding '-네' for exclamation/surprise.

가을이라 산이 단풍 천지예요.

Since it's autumn, the mountains are covered in fall foliage.

Describes a seasonal change.

도서관에 책 천지예요.

The library is full of books.

Emphasizing the quantity of books.

축제에 먹거리 천지예요.

The festival is full of things to eat.

먹거리 means 'things to eat/food items'.

내 방은 먼지 천지야.

My room is full of dust.

Informal '야' ending.

인터넷에는 가짜 뉴스가 천지다.

The internet is full of fake news.

Used to express frustration with abundance.

그 영화는 감동 천지였어요.

That movie was full of touching moments.

Metaphorical use for abstract nouns like 'emotion'.

천지신명께 기도를 드렸습니다.

I offered a prayer to the gods of heaven and earth.

천지신명 is a traditional term for universal deities.

이 일은 처음과 끝이 천지차이다.

This work is totally different from beginning to end.

Using '천지차이' to show a massive evolution or change.

마을 전체가 물 천지가 되었어요.

The whole village has become a world of water (flooded).

Indicates a drastic change in the environment.

그의 말은 모순 천지다.

His words are full of contradictions.

Abstract usage meaning 'nothing but'.

서울은 고층 빌딩 천지예요.

Seoul is full of high-rise buildings.

Describing urban density.

학교에 가면 친구 천지야.

If you go to school, it's full of friends.

Positive connotation of abundance.

기술의 발전으로 세상이 천지개벽했다.

The world has undergone a massive transformation due to technological advancement.

천지개벽 (Creation of Heaven/Earth) means a revolutionary change.

천지를 진동시키는 함성 소리가 들렸다.

A shout that shook heaven and earth was heard.

천지를 진동시키다 is a set phrase for very loud noises.

그와 나의 실력은 천지차이다.

The difference in skill between him and me is like heaven and earth.

Standard way to express a vast gap in ability.

천지 만물이 잠든 고요한 밤입니다.

It is a quiet night when all things in the universe are asleep.

천지 만물 means 'all things in the universe'.

그 사건은 천지에 다 알려졌다.

That incident became known to the whole world.

천지 here means 'everywhere' or 'the whole world'.

이곳은 예전과 비교하면 천지개벽 수준이다.

Compared to before, this place is at the level of a total transformation.

Using '천지개벽' as a noun modifier.

부모님의 은혜는 천지보다 깊다.

Parents' grace is deeper than heaven and earth.

Poetic/Traditional comparison.

온 천지가 하얗게 변했다.

The entire world (heaven and earth) turned white.

온 천지 means 'the entire world'.

인간은 천지 사이에서 태어난 존재이다.

Humans are beings born between heaven and earth.

Philosophical usage of the physical space between sky and ground.

그의 비리는 천지에 부끄러운 일이다.

His corruption is a shameful thing before heaven and earth.

Used to express moral weight/shame before the universe.

천지신명이 굽어살피시길 기원합니다.

I pray that the gods of heaven and earth look down upon us with favor.

Highly formal/archaic religious expression.

이 책은 천지 자연의 이치를 담고 있다.

This book contains the principles of heaven, earth, and nature.

천지 자연 refers to the natural world as a whole.

그 소식은 천지를 뒤흔들 만큼 충격적이었다.

The news was shocking enough to shake heaven and earth.

천지를 뒤흔들다 is a powerful metaphorical verb phrase.

천지간에 나 혼자뿐인 것 같은 외로움.

Loneliness that feels as if I am the only one between heaven and earth.

천지간 means 'between heaven and earth' or 'in the world'.

그의 학식은 천지를 아우를 정도로 넓다.

His knowledge is broad enough to encompass heaven and earth.

천지를 아우르다 means to encompass the entire universe.

천지개벽의 대역사가 시작되었다.

A great project of world-changing proportions has begun.

대역사 (Great work/project) paired with 천지개벽.

천지현황(天地玄黃)이라, 하늘은 검고 땅은 누렇다.

The universe is dark and yellow; heaven is mysterious and earth is vast.

This is the opening line of the Thousand Character Classic (천자문).

동양 철학에서 천지는 음양의 조화를 상징한다.

In Eastern philosophy, heaven and earth symbolize the harmony of Yin and Yang.

Academic discussion of cosmology.

그의 연설은 천지 만물의 공명을 이끌어냈다.

His speech drew resonance from all things in heaven and earth.

Poetic/highly advanced description of influence.

천지신명이 노하셨는지 갑자기 폭풍우가 몰아쳤다.

As if the gods of heaven and earth were angry, a storm suddenly broke out.

Attributing natural phenomena to cosmic will.

그는 천지간에 부끄러움 없는 삶을 살고자 했다.

He sought to live a life without shame before heaven and earth.

A common ethical goal in Korean Confucian thought.

백두산 천지의 물결 속에 민족의 한이 서려 있다.

The sorrow of the nation is embedded in the waves of Mount Paektu's Cheonji.

Highly literary/nationalistic expression.

사건의 진실은 천지만이 알고 있을 것이다.

Only heaven and earth (the universe) will know the truth of the matter.

Meaning 'only God knows' or 'it is a mystery'.

천지개벽할 노릇이다.

It is a situation that would shake the heavens and earth (unbelievable).

Idiomatic expression for an unbelievable or shocking situation.

Synonyme

세상 우주 만재 도처 사방 가득 천하 세계

Gegenteile

부분 공허 일부 결핍

Häufige Kollokationen

천지차이

천지개벽

사람 천지

물 천지

천지신명

천지 만물

온 천지

꽃 천지

쓰레기 천지

돈 천지

Häufige Phrasen

천지차이다

— To be worlds apart or completely different.

두 제품의 품질은 천지차이다.

사람 천지다

— To be crowded with people.

주말 백화점은 사람 천지다.

온 천지에

— All over the world; everywhere.

그의 소문이 온 천지에 퍼졌다.

천지개벽하다

— To undergo a massive, world-shaking change.

이곳이 천지개벽해서 신도시가 됐다.

천지 만물

— All things in nature/the universe.

천지 만물이 잠든 밤이다.

천지간에

— In the whole world; between heaven and earth.

천지간에 의지할 곳이 없다.

물 천지다

— To be flooded or covered in water.

수도관이 터져서 집이 물 천지가 됐다.

천지신명

— The gods of the universe.

천지신명께 간절히 기도했다.

눈 천지다

— To be covered in snow.

자고 일어나니 세상이 눈 천지였다.

먼지 천지다

— To be very dusty.

청소를 안 해서 방이 먼지 천지다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

천지 vs 천재

Means 'Genius'. Often confused because of the 'Cheon' start.

천지 vs 천국

Means 'Heaven/Paradise'. '천지' is the physical sky and earth.

천지 vs 전지

Means 'Battery' or 'Pruning'. Sounds similar to 'Cheonji'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"천지차이"

— A difference as great as the distance between heaven and earth.

실력 차이가 천지차이다.

Neutral

"천지개벽"

— The creation of the world; a revolutionary or shocking change.

그 소식은 천지개벽할 일이다.

Neutral/Literary

"천지를 진동시키다"

— To make a noise or impact that shakes the whole world.

함성 소리가 천지를 진동시켰다.

Literary

"천지가 개벽해도"

— Even if the world were to be recreated (no matter what).

천지가 개벽해도 그 약속은 지킬 것이다.

Emphatic

"천지간에 혼자"

— To be completely alone in the world.

그는 천지간에 혼자 남겨진 기분이었다.

Poetic

"천지신명이 돕다"

— To have miraculous luck (as if the gods helped).

천지신명이 도우셔서 사고를 면했다.

Traditional

"천지를 모르다"

— To be clueless about the world or the situation (rare).

그는 천지 분간을 못 하고 날뛴다.

Informal

"천지 만물"

— Everything in existence.

천지 만물에는 제각기 뜻이 있다.

Philosophical

"온 천지"

— The entire world.

온 천지가 그의 이름으로 가득 찼다.

Neutral

"천지 분간"

— Distinguishing between heaven and earth (telling right from wrong).

천지 분간도 못 하는 어린애.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

천지 vs 세상

Both mean 'world'.

'세상' is the human/social world. '천지' is the physical universe or a state of abundance.

세상에는 비밀이 없다. vs. 여기는 비밀 천지다.

천지 vs 우주

Both mean 'universe'.

'우주' is scientific/astronomical. '천지' is philosophical/metaphorical.

우주선을 발사하다. vs. 천지신명께 기도하다.

천지 vs 천재

Similar sound.

'천재' is a person with great talent. '천지' is heaven and earth.

그는 수학 천재다. vs. 온 천지가 눈이다.

천지 vs 현지

Ends in 'ji'.

'현지' means 'local' or 'on-site'. '천지' means 'everywhere'.

현지 음식을 먹다. vs. 사람 천지다.

천지 vs 곳곳

Both mean 'everywhere'.

'곳곳' is literal (here and there). '천지' is hyperbolic (covered in).

도시 곳곳에 공원이 있다. vs. 공원은 사람 천지다.

Satzmuster

[Noun] 천지예요.

꽃 천지예요.

[Noun]은/는 [Noun] 천지예요.

이 공원은 나무 천지예요.

[Noun]와/과 [Noun]은/는 천지차이예요.

한국어와 영어는 천지차이예요.

온 천지가 [Noun](으)로 가득하다.

온 천지가 눈으로 가득하다.

천지를 뒤흔드는 [Noun].

천지를 뒤흔드는 함성 소리.

천지개벽할 [Noun].

천지개벽할 사건.

Neutral

천지간에 [Phrase].

천지간에 나 홀로 있다.

Idiom

천지신명이 돕다.

천지신명이 도와주셨다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

천지개벽 (Creation/Revolution)

천지신명 (Universal Gods)

천지차이 (Great Difference)

천지인 (Heaven, Earth, Man)

Verben

천지개벽하다 (To transform drastically)

Verwandt

하늘 (Sky)

땅 (Ground)

우주 (Universe)

세상 (World)

자연 (Nature)

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

High (especially in colloquial and idiomatic use).

Häufige Fehler

Using '천지' as a genius. → 천재 (Cheon-jae)
Students often mix the two because of the shared 'Cheon' (Heaven) character.
Saying '천지를 많아요'. → 천지예요.
천지 already implies 'many'. You don't need '많다' with it; use '이다' instead.
Using '천지' for a specific small count. → 사람이 다섯 명 있어요.
'천지' is for overwhelming, uncountable-feeling amounts.
Confusing '천지' with '천국'. → 천국 (Heaven/Paradise)
'천지' is the physical world; '천국' is the religious paradise.
Misusing '천지차이' without a comparison. → A와 B는 천지차이다.
You must specify what is being compared to use this idiom.

Tipps

Emphasize Quantity

Use '천지' when you want to sound more expressive than just using '많다'. It paints a picture of being surrounded.

Mount Paektu

Knowing about 'Cheonji' the lake will help you understand many cultural and political references in Korean news.

Predicate Link

Remember to attach '이다' (예요/이야) directly to '천지' when using it colloquially.

Hanja Roots

Learning 天 (천) and 地 (지) will help you learn dozens of other words related to sky and earth.

Tone Matters

In colloquial use, '천지' often carries a tone of surprise. Let your voice reflect that!

Worlds Apart

Use '천지차이' whenever you find a huge gap in quality, price, or personality.

Literary Context

In books, '천지' often personifies nature. '천지가 울다' means the whole world is mourning.

Sky and Ground

Sky (Cheon) to Ground (Ji) = Everything in between.

Compound Words

Try to use '온 천지' (the whole world) to start a descriptive sentence about nature.

Don't confuse with 'Genius'

Always double-check if you mean 'talent' (jae) or 'earth' (ji).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

CHEON (Heaven) + JI (Earth/Ground). Imagine the space from the sky to the ground being 'full' of something.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant lake on top of a mountain (Cheonji) reflecting the sky (Cheon) on the ground (Ji).

Word Web

Heaven Earth Lake Everywhere Difference Universe Abundance Cosmos

Herausforderung

Try to find three things today that are '천지' (everywhere). Is it '사람 천지' (people), '차 천지' (cars), or '먼지 천지' (dust)?

Wortherkunft

From the Middle Korean '천지', which directly adopts the Sino-Korean (Hanja) characters 天 (cheon) and 地 (ji).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Heaven and Earth; the physical and spiritual boundaries of the known world.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Kultureller Kontext

When referring to Mount Paektu's lake, be mindful of its deep nationalistic and spiritual significance to both North and South Koreans.

The idiom '천지차이' is perfectly equivalent to the English 'worlds apart' or 'as different as night and day.'

Mount Paektu Cheonji (National Landmark) The Thousand Character Classic (천자문) opening line Taekwondo pattern 'Cheon-ji'

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Crowded Places

사람 천지다
차 천지다
학생 천지다
관광객 천지다

Nature/Weather

눈 천지다
꽃 천지다
물 천지다
단풍 천지다

Comparisons

천지차이다
하늘과 땅 차이다
완전 천지차이예요
실력이 천지차이다

Messy Situations

먼지 천지다
쓰레기 천지다
장난감 천지다
옷 천지다

Spiritual/Historical

천지신명
천지개벽
천지 만물
천지간에

Gesprächseinstiege

"여기 정말 사람 천지네요, 그쵸?"

"백두산 천지에 가본 적 있어요?"

"한국어 공부하기 전과 후가 천지차이인가요?"

"와, 여기는 완전 꽃 천지예요! 사진 찍을까요?"

"뉴스를 보니까 세상이 비리 천지인 것 같아요."

Tagebuch-Impulse

오늘 내가 간 곳 중에서 '천지'라고 부를 만한 곳이 있었나요? (Where was 'full of' something today?)

나의 5년 전 모습과 지금의 모습은 '천지차이'인가요? 어떻게 다른가요?

백두산 천지에 가게 된다면 어떤 기분이 들까요?

세상에 '좋은 사람 천지'가 되려면 우리는 무엇을 해야 할까요?

내 방에서 가장 '천지'인 물건은 무엇인가요? (What is the most abundant item in your room?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Not always. While it's a common colloquial use, its primary meaning is 'heaven and earth' or 'the universe.' You must look at the context—if it's preceded by a noun like '사람' (people) or '물' (water), it likely means 'everywhere.' If it's used in a historical or philosophical context, it refers to the cosmos.

It is a neutral noun. However, using it to complain (e.g., '쓰레기 천지네!') is informal and should be avoided in very formal settings. In a business context, if you want to say there are many people, '사람이 매우 많습니다' is more professional than '사람 천지입니다.'

You use it to compare two things. The pattern is 'A와 B는 천지차이다.' For example: '이것과 저것은 가격이 천지차이예요' (The price of this and that are worlds apart). It emphasizes a massive gap.

It is a famous crater lake located at the top of Mount Paektu on the border between North Korea and China. It is considered a sacred place in Korean mythology and is a symbol of the Korean spirit.

Yes! You can say '꽃 천지' (full of flowers) or '보물 천지' (full of treasures). It simply emphasizes a large quantity, whether positive or negative.

'우주' (Uju) is the scientific word for the universe/space. '천지' (Cheonji) is a more traditional, poetic, or colloquial word. You wouldn't say 'NASA explores Cheonji.'

Yes, especially because Mount Paektu's Cheonji is located there. It is a common word in both dialects, though some idioms might vary in frequency.

This is a traditional way of referring to the gods or spirits that govern the universe. In old times, Koreans would pray to '천지신명' for health, rain, or good luck.

No, that is '천재' (Cheon-jae). Be careful with the final vowel: 'ji' for earth, 'jae' for talent.

It's used to describe a massive change. If a poor neighborhood becomes a luxury district with skyscrapers, Koreans say it has '천지개벽' (transformed completely like the start of the world).

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen