Explanation at your level:
You use 자리 when you want to talk about a seat. If you are on a bus, you can ask 'Is this seat empty?' using this word. It is a very simple and useful word for your daily life in Korea.
At this level, you learn to use 자리 for more than just chairs. You can talk about your spot in a library or a seat at a restaurant. It helps you describe where you are or where you want to sit.
Now you can use 자리 to discuss abstract concepts. It can mean a job position or a status in a group. You might say 'He found a good position at the company' using this word.
You can use 자리 in professional and social contexts. It describes the atmosphere of a meeting or the physical arrangement of a room. You understand the nuance between a physical seat and a social role.
At the advanced level, you use 자리 to discuss complex social dynamics. It appears in discussions about career advancement, political positioning, and the 'space' one occupies in a social hierarchy.
Mastering 자리 means understanding its cultural weight. It relates to the concept of 'my place' in society, reflecting deep-seated Korean values regarding status, hierarchy, and belonging in both physical and metaphorical spaces.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Means seat, spot, or position.
- Native Korean word.
- Used in daily life and business.
- Very versatile and common.
Think of 자리 as your personal space in the world. Whether it is a chair in a classroom, a spot on the subway, or even a job opening, this word covers it all.
It is one of the most versatile words in Korean. You will hear it used when someone asks if a seat is taken or when a boss talks about a new position in the company.
Essentially, if something has a fixed location or a reserved space, it is a 자리. It is a fundamental word that connects physical objects to abstract concepts like social roles.
The word 자리 is a native Korean word, not derived from Chinese characters (Hanja). It has been used for centuries to describe mats or rugs, which were the traditional 'places' people sat on.
Historically, in Korean homes, the floor was the primary place for sitting. Therefore, the word evolved from referring to a literal mat (a place to sit) to the abstract concept of a spot or position.
This linguistic evolution shows how Korean culture shifted from floor-based living to chair-based living while keeping the original word for 'place' intact.
You will use 자리 constantly in daily life. Common phrases include 자리 있다 (there is a seat) or 자리를 비우다 (to leave one's seat).
In a business context, it refers to a job opening or a rank. For example, 좋은 자리 can mean a good seat at a concert or a high-ranking position at work.
The register is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a professional meeting without sounding out of place.
자리를 잡다: To settle down or establish a position. Example: 그는 서울에 자리를 잡았다 (He settled down in Seoul).
자리를 뜨다: To leave a place or gathering. Example: 그는 조용히 자리를 떴다 (He quietly left the room).
자리를 비우다: To be away from one's desk or seat. Example: 잠시 자리를 비웠습니다 (I was away from my seat for a moment).
자리를 양보하다: To give up one's seat to someone else. Example: 노인에게 자리를 양보했다 (I gave my seat to the elderly person).
자리다툼: A struggle or competition for a position or seat. Example: 승진을 위한 자리다툼이 치열하다 (The competition for the promotion is fierce).
자리 is a standard noun. It acts as the subject or object in a sentence. It does not have a plural form like English nouns; context determines if it is singular or plural.
Pronunciation is straightforward: ja-ri. The 'j' is soft, like in 'jam', and the 'r' is a light flap, similar to the 'tt' in the American pronunciation of 'better'.
It rhymes with words like 다리 (leg/bridge) and 머리 (head), making it very easy to remember for beginners.
Fun Fact
It evolved from floor-sitting culture to general 'place' terminology.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'jar-ee'
Sounds like 'jar-ee'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' too hard (like English 'r').
- Misplacing the stress.
- Confusing 'j' with 'ch'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very common word
Easy to use correctly
Essential for daily life
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Subject Particles
자리가 있어요
Object Particles
자리를 옮기다
Polite Verbs
앉으세요
Examples by Level
자리가 있어요?
Seat-subject particle exist?
Basic existence question.
여기에 앉으세요.
Here sit.
Polite command.
자리가 없어요.
Seat-subject not exist.
Negative state.
제 자리는 여기예요.
My seat here is.
Possessive pronoun.
자리를 바꾸자.
Seat change let's.
Casual suggestion.
자리가 넓어요.
Seat/space is wide.
Descriptive verb.
자리를 예약했어요.
Seat reserved have.
Past tense verb.
좋은 자리예요.
Good seat is.
Adjective + noun.
자리를 비우지 마세요.
옆자리에 앉아도 돼요?
자리가 꽉 찼어요.
자리를 찾아보자.
그의 자리는 어디인가요?
자리를 양보해 주세요.
좋은 자리를 잡았어요.
자리가 불편해요.
회사의 중요한 자리를 맡았다.
그는 그 자리에 적합하지 않다.
자리를 옮기는 게 좋겠어요.
이번 모임은 어떤 자리인가요?
그녀는 자신의 자리를 지켰다.
자리를 마련해 주셔서 감사합니다.
자리가 나면 연락주세요.
자리다툼이 심해지고 있다.
그는 사회적 자리를 확고히 했다.
이 자리는 매우 엄숙한 분위기다.
자리를 빛내 주셔서 감사합니다.
정치적 자리를 고수하다.
그는 자리를 박차고 나갔다.
자리를 잡기까지 시간이 걸렸다.
이번 프로젝트에서 중요한 자리를 차지했다.
자리를 비운 사이에 전화가 왔다.
그의 발언은 그 자리에 어울리지 않았다.
권력의 자리를 탐내는 자들.
그는 자신의 자리를 성찰했다.
이 자리는 향후 계획을 논의하기 위함이다.
자리를 보전하기 위한 수단.
그는 자리를 옮겨가며 상황을 관찰했다.
자리를 잡지 못한 이들의 고충.
그 자리에 앉는 것은 큰 책임이 따른다.
그는 인생의 자리를 찾아 방황했다.
역사 속에서 자신의 자리를 매김하다.
그 자리는 비어있는 듯하나 가득 차 있다.
사회적 자리를 구축하는 과정.
그의 말 한마디가 그 자리를 얼어붙게 했다.
자리를 잡는다는 것은 곧 삶의 뿌리를 내림이다.
운명적인 자리를 마주하다.
그는 그 자리에서 묵묵히 자신의 역할을 다했다.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"자리를 잡다"
to settle down
이제 이곳에 자리를 잡았다.
neutral"자리를 뜨다"
to leave
회식 중간에 자리를 떴다.
neutral"자리를 빛내다"
to grace an event with one's presence
와주셔서 자리를 빛내주셨습니다.
formal"자리를 비우다"
to be away
잠시 자리를 비운 사이 전화가 왔다.
neutral"자리를 깔다"
to set the stage
이제 본격적으로 자리를 깔아보자.
casual"자리를 보전하다"
to keep one's position
그는 끝내 자리를 보전했다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean place.
장소 is general; 자리 is specific/occupied.
장소를 정하자 vs 자리가 없다.
Both mean seat.
좌석 is formal/technical; 자리 is everyday.
좌석 번호 vs 내 자리.
Both mean position.
위치 is geographical; 자리 is occupancy-based.
위치를 확인하다 vs 자리를 잡다.
Both mean space.
공간 is abstract/volume; 자리 is a specific spot.
공간이 부족하다 vs 자리가 없다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 자리 + particle + verb
자리가 있어요.
Subject + 자리를 + verb
자리를 옮겼어요.
Noun + 자리
창가 자리.
Verb + 자리를 + verb
자리를 마련해 주세요.
Adjective + 자리
좋은 자리예요.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
مرتبط
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
장소 is for a general location, not a specific chair.
자리 is more flexible but less specific than 지위.
마련하다 is the correct collocation for organizing a meeting/event.
빈 자리 specifically refers to a seat or a vacancy.
Context is key to understanding the abstract meaning.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize your favorite seat in your house.
When Native Speakers Use It
Whenever they talk about where they sit or work.
Cultural Insight
Giving up seats is a sign of respect in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It functions like any other noun.
Say It Right
Keep the 'r' soft.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for 'place' in a geographical sense.
Did You Know?
It comes from the word for 'mat'.
Study Smart
Learn the collocations first.
Business Context
It means job opening.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with '머리' (head).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'jar' that you put in your 'spot' (자리).
Visual Association
A person sitting on a mat.
Word Web
چالش
Try saying 'Is this seat taken?' in Korean.
ریشه کلمه
Native Korean
Original meaning: A mat or rug used for sitting
بافت فرهنگی
None
Similar to 'seat' or 'spot' or 'position'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a restaurant
- 자리가 있나요?
- 자리를 옮겨도 될까요?
- 창가 자리로 주세요.
At work
- 자리를 비웠습니다.
- 좋은 자리를 맡았다.
- 자리다툼이 있다.
On public transport
- 자리를 양보하다.
- 자리가 없어요.
- 앉을 자리가 있어요.
At a meeting
- 자리를 빛내주셔서 감사합니다.
- 어떤 자리인가요?
- 자리를 뜨다.
Conversation Starters
"오늘 수업에서 어디에 자리를 잡았나요?"
"식당에 갔을 때 자리가 없으면 어떻게 하나요?"
"지하철에서 자리를 양보해 본 적이 있나요?"
"회사에서 좋은 자리를 차지하는 것이 중요할까요?"
"당신이 가장 좋아하는 자리는 어디인가요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your favorite spot in your house.
Write about a time you gave up your seat for someone.
How do you feel when you find a good seat at a cafe?
What does 'finding your place' in life mean to you?
سوالات متداول
8 سوالNo, it can be a job position or a spot at a table.
자리가 있나요?
It is better to use 장소 for general location.
It is neutral and used in all settings.
Korean doesn't use plurals for this noun.
No, it is a native word.
Yes, 주차 자리 works.
자리를 옮길게요.
خودت رو بسنج
여기에 ___가 있어요?
Asking if a seat is available.
What does '자리를 비우다' mean?
It means to be away from one's spot.
자리 can mean a job position.
Yes, it is often used for job openings.
Word
معنی
Collocation matching.
Standard polite phrase.
노인에게 ___를 양보하세요.
Giving up a seat.
Which is an antonym for 'seat'?
공석 means vacancy.
자리 is a Chinese-derived word.
It is a native Korean word.
Word
معنی
Advanced compound words.
Advanced sentence structure.
امتیاز: /10
Summary
자리 is your go-to word for anything from a seat on a bus to a position in a company.
- Means seat, spot, or position.
- Native Korean word.
- Used in daily life and business.
- Very versatile and common.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize your favorite seat in your house.
When Native Speakers Use It
Whenever they talk about where they sit or work.
Cultural Insight
Giving up seats is a sign of respect in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It functions like any other noun.
Related Content
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
عبارات مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر general
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
