시급
시급 en 30 segundos
- 시급 (Sigeup) refers to the hourly wage or the amount of money earned for one hour of work in Korea.
- It is a crucial word for part-time workers (알바생) and is the basis for the national minimum wage discussions.
- Commonly used verbs with 시급 include 받다 (receive), 올리다 (raise), and 계산하다 (calculate) in various contexts.
- Learners should distinguish it from 시간 (time) and understand that it is often the subject of legal and social debate.
The Korean word 시급 (Sigeup) is a fundamental noun that every learner, especially those planning to work or live in South Korea, must master. Etymologically, it is composed of two Hanja (Sino-Korean) characters: 시 (時) meaning 'hour' or 'time', and 급 (給) meaning 'to give' or 'to supply'. When combined, they literally translate to 'hourly supply' or, more accurately in a modern economic context, hourly wage. This term is the backbone of the 'Alba' (part-time job) culture in Korea. Whether you are a student working at a convenience store (Pyeonuijeom), a tutor teaching English, or a freelancer calculating your project rates, 시급 is the metric used to value your labor time.
- Economic Context
- In South Korea, the discussion around 시급 is often tied to the 최저시급 (Choejeo-sigeup), or minimum hourly wage. This is a highly debated political and social topic that affects millions of workers and small business owners. Every year, the Minimum Wage Commission meets to determine the rate for the following year, and this news dominates headlines.
- Workplace Usage
- While full-time employees often discuss their 연봉 (Yeonbong - annual salary) or 월급 (Wolgeup - monthly pay), part-time workers (알바생) almost exclusively talk in terms of 시급. If you are applying for a job, the first question after the job description is usually about the hourly pay.
편의점 알바 시급이 얼마예요? (How much is the hourly wage for the convenience store part-time job?)
Beyond just the amount of money, 시급 represents the value of one's time in the Korean labor market. It is often used in comparisons: 'Is this job worth the 시급?' or 'The 시급 is high, but the work is very intense.' This reflects a broader societal understanding of labor productivity and compensation. In recent years, there has been a shift toward 'high-value 시급' roles, such as specialized tutoring or technical freelance work, where the hourly rate can be significantly higher than the standard service sector pay.
올해 시급이 작년보다 올랐습니다. (This year's hourly wage has increased compared to last year.)
- Social Implication
- The term is also used colloquially to describe the efficiency of an activity. For example, if someone spends five hours to save one dollar, a Korean might say the '시급이 안 나온다' (the hourly wage doesn't come out), meaning the effort wasn't worth the time spent.
Finally, it is important to distinguish 시급 from other types of pay. Unlike a fixed salary, 시급 is directly tied to the clock. If you work more hours, you earn more; if fewer, you earn less. This direct correlation makes it a very transparent but sometimes unstable form of income, which is a frequent topic of conversation among young people in Korea (the 'N-po generation') who often rely on multiple 시급-based jobs to make ends meet.
Using 시급 correctly requires understanding how it interacts with Korean particles and common verbs related to finance and labor. Because it is a noun, it most frequently functions as the subject or object of a sentence. The most common verb paired with 시급 is 받다 (to receive), but other verbs like 계산하다 (to calculate), 올리다 (to raise), and 협상하다 (to negotiate) are equally vital for natural communication.
- Basic Subject/Object Usage
- When asking about the rate, use the particle -이/가. Example: '시급이 얼마예요?' (How much is the hourly wage?). When talking about receiving the wage, use -을/를. Example: '저는 시급을 만 원 받아요.' (I receive 10,000 won as an hourly wage.)
사장님과 시급 문제를 논의했어요. (I discussed the hourly wage issue with the boss.)
In more complex sentences, 시급 can be part of a compound noun or modified by adjectives. For instance, 높은 시급 (high hourly wage) and 낮은 시급 (low hourly wage) are standard descriptors. You will also see it paired with 최저 (minimum) to form 최저시급. When discussing work conditions, you might say '시급에 비해 일이 힘들어요' (Compared to the hourly wage, the work is hard), using the particle -에 비해 to show comparison.
이곳은 다른 곳보다 시급을 더 많이 줍니다. (This place pays a higher hourly wage than other places.)
Furthermore, 시급 is often used with the verb 책정되다 (to be set/fixed) in formal contexts, such as employment contracts. '시급이 만 원으로 책정되었습니다' (The hourly wage has been set at 10,000 won). In casual conversation, you might hear people use 세다 (to be strong/high) to describe a good wage: '거기 시급 진짜 세다!' (The hourly wage there is really high!). Understanding these collocations allows you to move from basic textbook Korean to natural, native-like expression.
내년부터 시급이 인상될 예정입니다. (The hourly wage is scheduled to be increased starting next year.)
- Common Verb Pairings
- 1. 시급을 정하다 (To decide the hourly wage). 2. 시급을 깎다 (To cut/lower the hourly wage). 3. 시급을 주다 (To give/pay the hourly wage). 4. 시급을 따지다 (To calculate/count the hourly wage carefully).
You will encounter the word 시급 in a variety of real-world environments in Korea, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. Perhaps the most frequent place is on job recruitment websites like AlbaMon or AlbaCheon-guk. On these platforms, every job posting prominently displays the 시급. If you walk down a busy street in Hongdae or Gangnam, you will see 'Help Wanted' signs (구인 광고) taped to windows of cafes and restaurants, usually with the 시급 written in bold marker.
아르바이트 공고에 시급이 명시되어 있어요. (The hourly wage is clearly stated in the part-time job announcement.)
In media, 시급 is a buzzword in news broadcasts during the summer months when the labor and management representatives negotiate the next year's minimum wage. You will hear news anchors say, '올해 최저시급 결정이 난항을 겪고 있습니다' (The decision on this year's minimum hourly wage is facing difficulties). It also appears in dramas (K-Dramas) that depict the lives of the working class or struggling youths (often called 'Heuk-sujeo' or dirt spoons), where characters might complain about their low 시급 or celebrate getting a job with a 'Kkul-alba' (honey part-time job, meaning easy work for good pay).
뉴스에서 올해 시급 인상 소식을 들었어요. (I heard the news about the hourly wage increase for this year.)
Social media and YouTube are also rife with this term. Many Korean YouTubers make 'Vlogs' of their part-time jobs, where they break down their earnings based on their 시급. In online forums like Everytime (a popular university app), students frequently compare the 시급 of various campus jobs. You might see posts like '국가근로 시급이 제일 좋아요' (National work-study hourly wage is the best). In these digital spaces, 시급 is not just a number; it's a social currency that defines the 'quality' of a job.
- Where to look
- Look for the character '급' in financial documents; if it's preceded by '시', it's hourly. If preceded by '월', it's monthly. If '연', it's yearly.
유튜브에서 시급 높은 알바 추천 영상을 봤어요. (I watched a video on YouTube recommending high-paying hourly part-time jobs.)
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 시급 (Sigeup) with 시간 (Sigan). While both start with the character for 'time' (時), 시간 refers to the duration or the concept of time itself, whereas 시급 specifically refers to the monetary compensation for one hour. For example, saying '시간이 얼마예요?' to mean 'What is the hourly wage?' is incorrect; that would actually mean 'What time is it?' or 'How much time [do you have]?'
Wrong: 오늘 시간을 받았어요. (I received 'time' today.)
Right: 오늘 시급을 받았어요. (I received my hourly wage today.)
Another common error involves the homonym 시급(時急). In Korean, there is another word spelled exactly the same way (시급) that means 'urgency' or 'pressing'. This version uses different Hanja (時 meaning time, 急 meaning urgent). While learners usually encounter the 'wage' version first, in news headlines about disasters or social issues, 시급하다 (to be urgent) is very common. Context is key: if the sentence is about money/jobs, it's 'wage'. If it's about a problem that needs fixing, it's 'urgency'.
대책 마련이 시급합니다. (Preparing measures is urgent. - Note: This is the 'urgency' 시급, not 'wage'.)
- Miscounting Units
- Learners sometimes try to say '시급 한 개' (one hourly wage), but 시급 is an abstract noun of value. You should say '시급 만 원' (hourly wage of 10,000 won) or '시급을 한 시간 분량 받다' (receive one hour's worth of hourly wage).
Lastly, be careful with the verb 내다 (to pay) vs. 주다 (to give). While an employer 'gives' (준다) the 시급, an employee 'receives' (받는다) it. If you say '시급을 냈어요', it sounds like you, the worker, paid the wage to the boss, which is the opposite of what you intend!
To truly master the vocabulary of compensation, you must understand how 시급 relates to its siblings in the 'wage' family. Korean has specific terms for every time-unit of payment. Using the wrong one can lead to significant misunderstandings in a contract or a casual chat about your job.
- 시급 vs. 일당
- 시급 (Hourly): Used for part-time work where hours vary.
일당 (Daily): Used for manual labor, construction, or one-day 'gig' work. If you work 8 hours and get a flat rate for the day, that's your 일당. - 시급 vs. 월급
- 월급 (Monthly): The standard for office workers (Salari-man). It's a fixed amount per month regardless of whether the month has 28 or 31 days.
- 시급 vs. 연봉
- 연봉 (Annual): Used in high-level job negotiations and corporate settings. It includes the base salary plus bonuses over a year.
저는 시급보다 월급을 받는 안정적인 직장을 원해요. (I want a stable job where I receive a monthly salary rather than an hourly wage.)
There are also more formal or abstract terms. 보수 (Bosu) means 'remuneration' or 'reward' and is used for professional services (like a lawyer's fee). 수당 (Sudang) refers to 'allowances' or 'extra pay', such as 야간수당 (night shift allowance) or 연장수당 (overtime pay). While 시급 is the base, these terms are added on top of it. Another important word is 임금 (Imgeum), which is the broad, legal term for 'wages' used in government statistics and labor law.
시급 계산 시 주휴수당도 포함해야 합니다. (When calculating the hourly wage, weekly holiday allowance must also be included.)
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The character '급' (給) is the same one used in 'Gong-geup' (Supply) and 'Wol-geup' (Monthly pay), showing a consistent theme of distribution or payment.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing the final 'p' as a full release (like 'geup-puh'). It should be an unreleased stop.
- Confusing the 'si' with 'shi' (though in Korean they are often merged, 'si' is the standard romanization).
- Making the 'g' too voiced like a heavy English 'g'. It should be between 'k' and 'g'.
Nivel de dificultad
The word itself is easy to recognize in job ads.
Simple spelling, but requires correct particle usage.
Common in daily conversation, easy to pronounce.
Can be confused with the homonym meaning 'urgent' in fast speech.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
-으로 계산하다 (Calculate by/as)
일당을 시급으로 계산해 주세요.
-에 비해 (Compared to)
업무량에 비해 시급이 적어요.
-ㄴ/은 편이다 (Tend to be)
여기는 시급이 높은 편이에요.
-기 위해 (In order to)
시급을 올리기 위해 열심히 일해요.
-ㄴ/은 것 같다 (It seems like)
내년에도 시급이 오를 것 같아요.
Ejemplos por nivel
시급이 얼마예요?
How much is the hourly wage?
Subject particle -이 used with the question word 얼마.
시급은 만 원입니다.
The hourly wage is 10,000 won.
Topic particle -은 used for a statement.
시급을 받아요.
I receive an hourly wage.
Object particle -을 with the verb 받다.
이 알바는 시급이 좋아요.
This part-time job has a good hourly wage.
Adjective 좋다 (to be good) describing the wage.
시급이 너무 낮아요.
The hourly wage is too low.
Adverb 너무 (too) modifying the adjective 낮다 (low).
시급이 올랐어요.
The hourly wage went up.
Past tense of 오르다 (to rise).
제 시급은 구천 원이에요.
My hourly wage is 9,000 won.
Possessive 제 (my) and polite ending -이에요.
시급이 똑같아요.
The hourly wage is the same.
Adjective 똑같다 (to be exactly the same).
최저시급이 얼마인지 알아요?
Do you know what the minimum hourly wage is?
-인지 알다 (to know whether/what).
시급이 높은 일을 찾고 있어요.
I am looking for a job with a high hourly wage.
Present progressive -고 있다.
편의점 시급은 보통 최저시급이에요.
Convenience store hourly wages are usually the minimum wage.
Adverb 보통 (usually).
시급을 더 많이 받고 싶어요.
I want to receive a higher hourly wage.
Desire ending -고 싶다.
사장님이 시급을 올려 주셨어요.
The boss raised my hourly wage.
Honorific -시- and auxiliary verb -아/어 주다.
이곳은 시급을 시급으로 계산해요.
This place calculates pay by the hour.
Particle -으로 indicating the method/basis.
시급이 만 원 넘어요.
The hourly wage is over 10,000 won.
Verb 넘다 (to exceed/be over).
시급에 식비가 포함되어 있나요?
Is the cost of meals included in the hourly wage?
Passive form 포함되어 있다.
시급이 생활비에 비해 너무 적은 것 같아요.
I think the hourly wage is too small compared to the cost of living.
-에 비해 (compared to) and -ㄴ 것 같다 (it seems like).
야간에 일하면 시급의 1.5배를 받습니다.
If you work at night, you receive 1.5 times the hourly wage.
Conditional -면 and possessive -의.
시급 협상을 위해 사장님을 만날 거예요.
I am going to meet the boss for hourly wage negotiations.
-를 위해 (for the sake of) and future tense -ㄹ 거예요.
시급이 오르면 물가도 같이 오를까요?
If the hourly wage rises, will prices also rise?
Question ending -ㄹ까요 (speculation).
그 회사는 시급이 센 편이에요.
That company tends to have a high hourly wage.
-ㄴ 편이다 (to tend to be/be on the side of).
시급뿐만 아니라 복지도 중요해요.
Not only the hourly wage but also welfare is important.
-뿐만 아니라 (not only... but also).
시급이 얼마인지 계약서에서 확인하세요.
Check the contract to see how much the hourly wage is.
Imperative -세요.
경력이 있으면 시급을 더 받을 수 있어요.
If you have experience, you can receive a higher hourly wage.
Potential -ㄹ 수 있다.
최저시급 인상률이 매년 논란이 됩니다.
The rate of minimum wage increase becomes a controversy every year.
Noun derivation -율 (rate) and passive 되다.
시급이 오르면 자영업자들의 부담이 커집니다.
When the hourly wage rises, the burden on self-employed business owners increases.
Plural -들 and change of state -어지다.
노동조합은 시급 만 원 시대를 요구하고 있습니다.
The labor union is demanding an era of 10,000 won hourly wages.
Noun '시대' (era) used metaphorically.
시급을 기준으로 월급을 산정합니다.
The monthly salary is calculated based on the hourly wage.
-를 기준으로 (based on).
업종별로 시급 차등 적용을 검토 중입니다.
The differential application of hourly wages by industry is under review.
Noun '검토 중' (under review).
시급이 낮아서 인력난을 겪고 있는 가게가 많아요.
There are many shops experiencing labor shortages because the hourly wage is low.
Causal -아서/어서 and noun '인력난' (labor shortage).
시급 인상이 소비 진작으로 이어질까요?
Will the hourly wage increase lead to a boost in consumption?
-로 이어지다 (to lead to).
현실적인 시급 가이드라인이 필요합니다.
A realistic hourly wage guideline is needed.
Adjective 현실적인 (realistic).
시급의 급격한 인상은 고용 감소를 초래할 수 있다는 우려가 있습니다.
There are concerns that a sharp increase in hourly wages could lead to a decrease in employment.
Noun '초래' (cause/bring about) and '-ㄴ다는 우려' (concern that...).
플랫폼 노동자들의 시급 산정 방식이 복잡해지고 있습니다.
The method of calculating hourly wages for platform workers is becoming more complex.
Noun '산정 방식' (calculation method).
시급은 단순히 노동의 대가를 넘어 사회적 가치를 반영합니다.
Hourly wage goes beyond simply being the reward for labor; it reflects social value.
-를 넘어 (beyond) and 반영하다 (reflect).
실질 시급이 물가 상승률을 따라가지 못하고 있습니다.
The real hourly wage is not keeping up with the inflation rate.
Noun '실질 시급' (real wage) and -지 못하다 (cannot).
시급 결정 과정에 공익 위원들의 역할이 중요합니다.
The role of public interest members is important in the process of determining the hourly wage.
Noun '공익 위원' (public interest member).
지역별로 최저시급을 다르게 책정하자는 주장이 제기되었습니다.
An argument has been raised to set the minimum hourly wage differently by region.
Passive '제기되다' (to be raised/brought up).
시급 인상은 가계 소득 증대에 긍정적인 영향을 미칩니다.
An increase in hourly wages has a positive effect on increasing household income.
-에 영향을 미치다 (to influence/affect).
비정규직의 시급 차별 문제는 여전히 해결해야 할 과제입니다.
The issue of hourly wage discrimination for non-regular workers remains a task to be solved.
Noun '과제' (task/assignment).
시급이라는 지표는 노동의 상품화를 단적으로 보여주는 사례입니다.
The indicator called hourly wage is a clear example showing the commodification of labor.
-라는 지표 (indicator called...) and 단적으로 (plainly/point-blank).
생산성과 시급의 상관관계에 대한 다각적인 분석이 요구됩니다.
A multifaceted analysis of the correlation between productivity and hourly wage is required.
Noun '상관관계' (correlation) and 다각적인 (multifaceted).
최저시급의 급격한 변동은 거시경제 지표에 지대한 영향을 끼칩니다.
Rapid fluctuations in the minimum hourly wage have a profound impact on macroeconomic indicators.
Adjective 지대한 (immense/profound).
시급 제도의 한계를 극복하기 위해 생활임금 도입이 논의되고 있습니다.
To overcome the limitations of the hourly wage system, the introduction of a living wage is being discussed.
Noun '생활임금' (living wage) and 도입 (introduction).
노동의 가치를 시급으로 환산하는 행위 자체가 철학적 논쟁의 대상입니다.
The act of converting the value of labor into an hourly wage is itself a subject of philosophical debate.
Noun '환산' (conversion) and '논쟁의 대상' (subject of debate).
시급 인상이 자동화와 무인화 추세를 가속화할 것이라는 전망이 우세합니다.
The outlook that an increase in hourly wages will accelerate the trend toward automation and unmanned systems is dominant.
Noun '전망' (outlook) and 우세하다 (to be dominant).
시급 체계의 경직성은 노동 시장의 유연성을 저해하는 요소로 지목됩니다.
The rigidity of the hourly wage system is pointed out as a factor that hinders the flexibility of the labor market.
Noun '경직성' (rigidity) and 저해하다 (to hinder/obstruct).
포스트 팬데믹 시대의 시급은 단순한 금전적 보상 그 이상의 의미를 지닙니다.
Hourly wages in the post-pandemic era hold a meaning beyond simple monetary compensation.
Noun '금전적 보상' (monetary compensation) and 의미를 지니다 (to hold meaning).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— How much is the hourly wage? Used when inquiring about a job.
편의점 알바 시급이 얼마예요?
— 10,000 won per hour. A very common benchmark rate.
시급 만 원이면 괜찮은 편이죠.
— To pay someone based on an hourly rate. Used when converting a task to money.
이 작업은 시급으로 쳐드릴게요.
— To not even make the hourly wage. Used when an effort isn't worth the time.
이 일은 너무 힘들어서 시급도 안 나와요.
— A 'wage thief'. Slang for someone who gets paid their hourly wage but doesn't work hard.
회사에서 몰래 놀면 시급 루팡이에요.
— Freezing the hourly wage (no increase). A common economic term.
올해는 시급 동결이 결정되었습니다.
— The era of 10,000 won hourly wages. A major social milestone in Korea.
드디어 시급 만 원 시대가 열렸습니다.
— Slang for a job with an incredibly high hourly wage.
과외는 역시 시급 깡패예요.
— To cut or lower the hourly wage unfairly.
시급을 마음대로 깎으면 안 돼요.
— To calculate or care deeply about the hourly rate.
그는 시급을 꼼꼼하게 따지는 사람이에요.
Se confunde a menudo con
Sigan means 'time' or 'hour' as a unit of duration. Sigeup is the money for that hour.
The homonym meaning 'urgent'. Context (money vs. problem) is the only way to distinguish them in speech.
Jigeup means 'payment' (the act of paying). Sigeup is the 'hourly wage' (the amount/rate).
Modismos y expresiones
— The effort is not worth the hourly pay. Used when a task is too difficult or takes too long relative to the reward.
이 재택 알바는 시급이 안 나와서 그만뒀어요.
informal— Lupin (thief) of the hourly wage. Referring to someone who slack off at work while getting paid.
오늘도 회사에서 시급 루팡 중입니다.
slang— A 'bully' of hourly wages, meaning an exceptionally high rate that beats all others.
전문직 아르바이트는 시급 깡패라고 불려요.
slang— Honey part-time job. A job where the 시급 is high but the work is very easy.
독서실 총무는 대표적인 꿀알바예요.
slang— Hell part-time job. A job where the 시급 is low and the work is exhausting.
택배 상하차는 지옥알바 중 하나예요.
slang— To value one's hourly wage like gold. To be very protective of one's working time and pay.
그는 자신의 시급을 금으로 아는 사람이다.
neutral— Time is money. A concept directly related to the calculation of 시급.
시급이 높은 곳을 가는 게 당연하죠. 시간이 돈이니까요.
neutral— To buy life with an hourly wage. A cynical view of working long hours for low pay.
우리는 시급으로 인생을 사고 있는지도 몰라요.
literary— To split the hourly wage. Refers to employers trying to pay for minutes rather than full hours to save money.
시급을 쪼개서 주는 것은 불법입니다.
neutral— A slave to the hourly wage. Someone who works purely for the hourly pay without interest in the work.
저는 그저 시급의 노예일 뿐이에요.
informalFácil de confundir
Both are wages for short-term work.
Il-dang is for the whole day; Sigeup is per hour.
건설 현장은 시급이 아니라 일당으로 줍니다.
Both are forms of salary.
Wol-geup is a fixed monthly amount; Sigeup depends on hours worked.
정규직은 월급을 받지만 알바는 시급을 받아요.
Both involve extra money.
Sudang is an 'allowance' added to the base; Sigeup is the base rate.
야간 근무를 하면 시급 외에 수당이 붙어요.
Both mean payment for work.
Bosu is a broader, more formal term for any compensation.
전문적인 일은 시급보다 보수라는 말을 씁니다.
Both mean wages.
Imgeum is the legal/statistical term; Sigeup is the everyday term for hourly pay.
최저임금은 시급으로 발표됩니다.
Patrones de oraciones
시급이 [Price]원이에요.
시급이 구천 원이에요.
시급을 [Amount] 받아요.
시급을 만 원 받아요.
시급이 [Adjective] 편이에요.
시급이 높은 편이에요.
[Noun]에 따라 시급이 달라요.
경력에 따라 시급이 달라요.
시급 인상은 [Noun]을/를 초래해요.
시급 인상은 물가 상승을 초래해요.
시급을 기준으로 [Noun]을/를 정해요.
시급을 기준으로 월급을 정해요.
시급의 [Noun]은/는 [Noun]의 지표예요.
시급의 변동은 경제의 지표예요.
시급을 [Noun]으로 환산하면 [Result]예요.
시급을 가치로 환산하면 무한대예요.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Extremely high in daily life, recruitment, and economic news.
-
Using '시간' (Time) instead of '시급' (Wage).
→
시급이 얼마예요?
Asking '시간이 얼마예요?' means 'What time is it?' or 'How much time [do you have]?'
-
Saying '시급을 내다' (To pay wage) as a worker.
→
시급을 받다
Workers 'receive' (받다) the wage. Employers 'give' (주다) or 'pay' (지급하다) it.
-
Confusing the 'urgent' 시급 with 'wage' 시급.
→
Context is everything.
If the sentence is '문제가 시급하다', it means the problem is urgent, not related to money.
-
Not including the currency unit.
→
시급 만 원
Just saying '시급 만' is incomplete. Always add '원' (Won).
-
Using '시급' for monthly salary contexts.
→
월급
If you are a full-time office worker, use '월급' even if you think about your pay in terms of hours.
Consejos
The Alba Culture
Part-time jobs (Alba) are very common for university students. Knowing the standard 시급 helps you understand if a job offer is fair.
Check Your Contract
Always ensure your 시급 is written clearly in your 'Geun-ro-gye-yak-seo' (labor contract) before starting work.
Hanja Roots
Remembering '시' (Time) + '급' (Pay) will help you understand other words like '월급' (Month-Pay) and '일당' (Day-Pay).
Asking Politely
When asking about pay, '시급이 어떻게 되나요?' is slightly more polite than '시급이 얼마예요?'
Particle Usage
Use '시급으로' when saying 'I get paid *by* the hour'. The '-으로' particle indicates the method.
Wage Thieves
The term '시급 루팡' is a funny way to describe slacking off, but don't use it with your boss!
Annual Increases
Minimum 시급 usually increases every January. Check the news in late summer to see the newly decided rate for next year.
Rate vs. Salary
If you are a freelancer, use '단가' for project rates, but '시급' for time-based consulting.
Fast Speech
In fast speech, '시급이' might sound like '시그비'. Train your ears to hear the 'g' sound carrying over.
Negotiation
In Korea, 시급 for basic part-time jobs is rarely negotiable, but for tutoring or specialized work, it definitely is.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Si' as 'See' (looking at the clock) and 'Geup' as 'Get' (getting paid). You 'See' the hour, you 'Get' the pay.
Asociación visual
Imagine a clock face where the numbers are replaced by dollar or won signs. Each hour on the clock represents a specific amount of money.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find the current minimum 시급 for South Korea online and write it down in a full Korean sentence: '올해 최저시급은 ____원입니다.'
Origen de la palabra
Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). 時 (시) means 'hour/time' and 給 (급) means 'to give/supply/pay'.
Significado original: The act of giving or paying based on the unit of an hour.
Sino-KoreanContexto cultural
Be careful when discussing 시급 with older business owners in Korea, as they may find the topic of rising minimum wages sensitive due to increased operational costs.
In English-speaking countries, we often use 'hourly rate' or 'minimum wage'. The Korean '시급' is used almost identically to 'hourly rate' in job ads.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Job Interview
- 시급은 얼마인가요?
- 수습 기간 시급은요?
- 주휴수당이 포함된 시급인가요?
- 시급 협상이 가능한가요?
With Friends
- 시급 많이 주는 알바 알아?
- 내 시급 너무 낮아.
- 시급 루팡 하고 싶다.
- 시급 올라서 좋아.
News/Politics
- 최저시급 결정
- 시급 인상 반대
- 시급 만 원 시대
- 시급 차등 적용
Contract Signing
- 시급을 확인하세요.
- 시급이 명시되어 있습니다.
- 시급 계산 방식
- 시급 미지급 신고
At Work
- 시급으로 정산해 주세요.
- 연장 근무 시급
- 야간 시급 적용
- 시급이 올랐나요?
Inicios de conversación
"요즘 한국의 최저시급이 얼마인지 아세요? (Do you know what the current minimum wage in Korea is?)"
"아르바이트를 고를 때 시급이 가장 중요한가요? (Is the hourly wage the most important thing when choosing a part-time job?)"
"시급이 높지만 아주 힘든 일과 시급이 낮지만 편한 일 중 무엇을 선택하시겠어요? (Between a high-paying hard job and a low-paying easy job, which would you choose?)"
"학생 때 했던 알바 시급이 기억나세요? (Do you remember the hourly wage of the part-time job you did as a student?)"
"시급을 더 받기 위해서 사장님께 어떻게 말하면 좋을까요? (How should I talk to the boss to get a higher hourly wage?)"
Temas para diario
내가 생각하는 이상적인 시급은 얼마인가요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요? (What is my ideal hourly wage? What is the reason?)
시급이 우리 삶의 질에 미치는 영향에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about the impact of hourly wages on our quality of life.)
오늘 하루 나의 노동을 시급으로 환산한다면 얼마일까요? (If you converted today's labor into an hourly wage, how much would it be?)
최저시급 인상이 경제에 미치는 긍정적, 부정적 영향에 대해 토론해 보세요. (Discuss the positive and negative effects of minimum wage increases on the economy.)
시급을 많이 주는 일보다 더 중요한 가치가 있을까요? (Are there values more important than a job that pays a high hourly wage?)
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasThe minimum 시급 changes every year. For 2024, it is 9,860 won. It is decided by the Minimum Wage Commission.
Usually, no. In Korea, rest periods (like lunch) are generally unpaid, so they are excluded from the total hours calculated for your 시급.
No, it is illegal. Even during a 'probation period' (수습기간), the wage must be at least 90% of the minimum wage for up to 3 months, provided the contract is for a year or more.
Yes, South Korean labor laws apply equally to all workers regardless of their nationality. If you have a legal working visa, you must receive at least the minimum 시급.
Multiply your 시급 by the number of hours worked. If you work more than 15 hours a week, remember to add the 'Ju-hyu-sudan' (weekly holiday allowance).
It is an extra day's worth of pay given to workers who complete their scheduled weekly hours (minimum 15 hours/week). It makes your effective 시급 higher.
Typically, professional jobs use '연봉' (annual salary). However, specialized freelancers or tutors might still use 시급 to describe their rate.
You can say '시급을 올려 주세요' (Please raise my hourly wage) or more formally '시급 인상을 요청합니다'.
You should contact the Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부). They handle cases of unpaid wages (임금체불).
Because a large portion of the youth and elderly rely on part-time jobs, and the minimum 시급 is the primary way they meet their cost of living.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
Write 'How much is the hourly wage?' in Korean.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I receive 10,000 won per hour.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The minimum hourly wage has risen.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I am looking for a high-paying hourly job.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'Please calculate it by the hourly wage.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'Hourly wage is more important than welfare.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The boss raised my hourly wage.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'Is the hourly wage included in the contract?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The hourly wage is too low to live.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'We need to negotiate the hourly wage.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'What is the average hourly wage for a cafe?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I worked for 8 hours at 10,000 won per hour.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The hourly wage increase is a big issue.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'My hourly wage is 12,000 won.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I want a job with a higher hourly wage.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The hourly wage hasn't changed for 3 years.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I received my hourly wage today.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'Is this the minimum hourly wage?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The labor union wants 10,000 won.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'Hourly wage is the basis of my pay.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'What is your hourly wage?' in polite Korean.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I receive 11,000 won an hour.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The hourly wage is high.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Please raise my hourly wage.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Is this the minimum wage?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I want a high-paying job.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Calculate it as an hourly wage.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The wage went up today.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'How much is the cafe's hourly wage?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I am a wage thief.' (Joke)
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The wage is 1.5 times at night.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'We need to talk about the wage.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Check the wage in the contract.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'My wage is the same as last year.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The wage is too low.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I work for the hourly wage.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The wage increase is good.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'What's next year's minimum wage?'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I received 50,000 won.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'The wage here is the best.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and write the amount: '시급은 구천팔백육십 원입니다.'
Listen and identify the topic: '시급 인상 소식에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?'
Listen and write: '시급이 얼마예요?'
Listen and identify the word: '최저시급'
Listen and write the amount: '시급 만 오천 원이에요.'
Listen and identify the feeling: '시급이 너무 낮아서 속상해요.'
Listen and write: '시급을 올려 주세요.'
Listen and identify the speaker: '시급을 만 원으로 정하겠습니다.'
Listen and write: '야간 시급'
Listen and identify the context: '계약서에 시급이 빠졌어요.'
Listen and identify the multiplier: '시급의 두 배를 드립니다.'
Listen and write: '시급 협상'
Listen and identify the noun: '시급제'
Listen and identify the synonym: '시간급'
Listen and write the phrase: '시급 루팡'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 시급 is essential for understanding the Korean labor market, especially for part-time jobs. For example, '시급이 얼마예요?' is the standard way to ask 'What is the hourly rate?' when applying for a job.
- 시급 (Sigeup) refers to the hourly wage or the amount of money earned for one hour of work in Korea.
- It is a crucial word for part-time workers (알바생) and is the basis for the national minimum wage discussions.
- Commonly used verbs with 시급 include 받다 (receive), 올리다 (raise), and 계산하다 (calculate) in various contexts.
- Learners should distinguish it from 시간 (time) and understand that it is often the subject of legal and social debate.
The Alba Culture
Part-time jobs (Alba) are very common for university students. Knowing the standard 시급 helps you understand if a job offer is fair.
Check Your Contract
Always ensure your 시급 is written clearly in your 'Geun-ro-gye-yak-seo' (labor contract) before starting work.
Hanja Roots
Remembering '시' (Time) + '급' (Pay) will help you understand other words like '월급' (Month-Pay) and '일당' (Day-Pay).
Asking Politely
When asking about pay, '시급이 어떻게 되나요?' is slightly more polite than '시급이 얼마예요?'
Ejemplo
이 아르바이트는 시급이 만 원입니다.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Gramática relacionada
Más palabras de work
주 5일제
A2El «ju o-il je» es el sistema de trabajo estándar en Corea, donde las personas trabajan cinco días a la semana, típicamente de lunes a viernes, y tienen el sábado y el domingo como días libres.
결근
A2Ausencia del trabajo; no estar presente en el trabajo. La palabra '결근' significa ausencia del trabajo. Se utiliza cuando un empleado no se presenta a su puesto de trabajo.
결근하다
A2Faltar al trabajo. Por ejemplo: 'Faltó al trabajo hoy por motivos de salud.'
추상적이다
A2Ser abstracto. Se refiere a conceptos que no tienen una forma física o concreta.
출입증
A2Carné de identidad, tarjeta de acceso. Una tarjeta de identificación o tarjeta de acceso que permite la entrada a un lugar específico. Es una tarjeta especial, como un carné de identidad, que debes mostrar para entrar o salir de un edificio o área.
회계
B1La contabilidad es el registro sistemático de las transacciones financieras de una entidad.
경리
A2La gestión y el registro de la información financiera de una empresa, como ingresos y gastos. El término se refiere a la contabilidad o la teneduría de libros.
업적
B1Un logro o hazaña notable, generalmente reservado para contribuciones significativas en la historia, la ciencia o el trabajo. Se asocia con el legado de una persona.
적극적이다
A2Ser activo o proactivo. Significa tomar la iniciativa y participar con entusiasmo.
적극적으로
B1De manera activa, proactiva o entusiasta. Por ejemplo: 'Él participa activamente en el proyecto.'