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A1 noun #1,432 가장 일반적인 12분 분량

office

상위 1,432

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 office 30초 만에

설명 office in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'office' is introduced as a basic vocabulary item related to places and jobs. Beginners learn that an office is simply a room or a building where people go to do their work, usually sitting at a desk with a computer. It is taught alongside other common places in a town, such as a school, a hospital, or a supermarket. At this stage, learners focus on simple sentences to describe location and daily routines. For example, they learn to say 'I work in an office' or 'He goes to the office every day.' The grammar focus is on using the correct prepositions, primarily 'in' and 'to', and remembering to use the article 'the' or 'an'. Vocabulary exercises at this level often involve matching the word 'office' with a picture of a desk and a computer, or categorizing it under 'places of work'. The concept is kept very literal and concrete, avoiding any abstract meanings related to political positions or authority. The goal is simply to enable the learner to state where they or someone else works, which is a fundamental part of introducing oneself and making basic small talk in English. They might also learn simple compound words like 'post office', which is essential for basic daily errands. Overall, 'office' at the A1 level is a foundational noun that helps learners build their core vocabulary for describing their everyday environment and routine.

At the A2 level, learners expand their understanding of the word 'office' by using it in more varied and slightly more complex contexts. While it still primarily refers to a physical workplace, learners begin to use it to describe schedules, locations, and basic professional interactions. They learn to use phrases like 'office hours', 'office phone', and 'main office'. At this stage, learners can describe their office environment in simple terms, such as 'My office is big and bright' or 'I share an office with two colleagues.' They also start to use the word in the context of making appointments or running errands, such as 'I need to go to the doctor's office' or 'The tickets are at the box office.' The grammar focus expands to include past and future tenses, allowing learners to say 'I was at the office yesterday' or 'I will be in the office tomorrow.' Furthermore, learners begin to understand the difference between 'in the office' (inside the room) and 'at the office' (at the workplace generally). They might also encounter the concept of a 'home office' as remote work becomes a more common topic of discussion. The A2 level transitions the learner from simply identifying the word to actively using it to coordinate basic activities and describe their working life with more detail and accuracy.

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At the B1 level, the usage of the word 'office' becomes significantly more nuanced and integrated into broader professional and social contexts. Learners are now expected to discuss their work life in detail, and 'office' is a key vocabulary word for these conversations. They learn to talk about 'office culture', 'office politics', and 'office equipment'. The vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'head office', 'branch office', and 'open-plan office'. At this intermediate stage, learners can express opinions about their workplace, such as 'I prefer working in a quiet office rather than an open-plan space.' They also learn to use 'office' as a noun adjunct more fluidly, creating phrases like 'office manager', 'office party', or 'office supplies'. Additionally, the B1 level introduces the more abstract meaning of 'office' as a position of authority, particularly in government. Learners might read news articles or listen to broadcasts where phrases like 'take office' or 'run for office' are used. This requires a shift in grammatical understanding, as these abstract uses often drop the article (e.g., 'He took office' instead of 'He took the office'). By mastering these different facets of the word, B1 learners can engage in more sophisticated discussions about careers, business structures, and current events, moving well beyond the simple physical description of a room with a desk.

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At the B2 level, learners are expected to have a comprehensive and highly flexible command of the word 'office' and its many collocations and idiomatic uses. They can discuss complex workplace dynamics, corporate structures, and professional trends using sophisticated vocabulary. At this upper-intermediate stage, learners comfortably use terms like 'back office', 'front office', 'virtual office', and 'corporate office'. They can debate the pros and cons of different office layouts, discuss the impact of remote work on traditional office spaces, and analyze office etiquette. The word is used naturally in complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If I were in the office, I would help you') and passive voice ('The new office policies were announced yesterday'). Furthermore, the political and authoritative meanings of 'office' are fully understood and utilized. Learners can discuss a politician's 'term in office', 'abuse of office', or 'resignation from office'. They also understand idiomatic expressions like 'doing a land-office business' (though less common, it shows depth of understanding) or referring to a movie's success at the 'box office'. At the B2 level, the word 'office' is no longer just a vocabulary item to be memorized; it is a versatile tool used to articulate complex ideas about professional life, corporate organization, and public administration with fluency and precision.

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At the C1 level, the word 'office' is utilized with near-native proficiency, demonstrating a deep understanding of subtle connotations, register, and stylistic variation. Advanced learners at this stage can effortlessly navigate the multifaceted meanings of the word across highly specialized domains, including law, corporate governance, and political science. They are comfortable with formal and legalistic phrasing, such as 'holding public office', 'the office of the presidency', or 'ex officio' (derived from Latin but used in English). In corporate contexts, they can discuss intricate organizational structures, differentiating between 'the executive office', 'regional offices', and 'satellite offices' while understanding the strategic implications of each. C1 learners also grasp the sociological and psychological aspects of the workplace, discussing concepts like 'the changing landscape of the modern office', 'office dynamics', and the 'decentralization of the office'. They can use the word humorously or ironically, perhaps referencing 'The Office' (the television show) to make a point about corporate absurdity. Grammatically, there are no errors regarding articles or prepositions; the choice between 'in office' (political) and 'in the office' (physical) is automatic. At this level, the focus is on using the word to construct compelling arguments, write professional reports, and engage in high-level debates about the future of work and governance.

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At the C2 level, mastery of the word 'office' is absolute, reflecting a native-like intuition for its historical evolution, cultural significance, and most obscure idiomatic applications. A C2 user understands the etymological roots of the word, recognizing how its original Latin meaning of 'service' or 'duty' still echoes in modern phrases like 'performing one's good offices' (meaning to act as a mediator or provide help). They can seamlessly transition between using 'office' to mean a physical space, a collective group of people ('the whole office was in an uproar'), a political position, or a specific religious service (e.g., 'the Divine Office'). In academic or literary contexts, they can analyze texts where 'office' represents bureaucratic power or institutional authority. They are adept at employing the word in highly nuanced rhetoric, understanding how phrases like 'the highest office in the land' evoke respect and gravity. Furthermore, C2 learners can creatively manipulate the word, coining new compound phrases if necessary, while remaining perfectly intelligible to native speakers. They understand the subtle cultural differences in office environments between different English-speaking countries and can adapt their vocabulary accordingly. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, 'office' is a rich, multidimensional concept that the user wields with complete confidence, precision, and stylistic flair in any conceivable context.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

office 30초 만에

A room for working.
A building for business.
A government position.
A place for administrative tasks.

The word office is one of the most fundamental nouns in the English language, specifically within the contexts of business, professional environments, and daily working life. At its core, an office represents a designated physical space, which can be a single room, a suite of rooms, or an entire building, where individuals perform administrative, professional, or clerical duties. When people use the word office, they are typically referring to the central hub of a company's operations, a place where meetings are held, documents are processed, and professional collaborations occur. In modern society, the concept of the office has expanded significantly. It no longer solely means a corporate skyscraper in a bustling city center; it can also refer to a home office, a small corner in a house dedicated to remote work, or a shared coworking space where freelancers and entrepreneurs gather. Understanding the multifaceted nature of the word office is crucial for anyone learning English, as it frequently appears in everyday conversations, professional emails, news reports, and literature.

Physical Space: The literal room or building where administrative work is conducted on a daily basis.

She arrived at the office early to prepare for the big presentation.

Furthermore, the term office can also denote a position of authority or a specific role within an organization or government. For instance, when someone runs for political office, they are seeking a position of public trust and responsibility. This dual meaning—referring both to a physical location and an abstract position of power—makes the word incredibly versatile.

Position of Authority: A role or official position, especially in government or a large corporation.

The president has held office for two consecutive terms.

People use this word constantly when discussing their daily routines. Phrases like going to the office, leaving the office, or working at the office are staples of casual small talk among colleagues and friends. In addition to these common uses, the word is frequently combined with other nouns to create compound words that describe specific types of workplaces or related concepts, such as post office, box office, or office hours.

Compound Usage: Combined with other words to specify a particular type of service or location.

I need to stop by the post office to mail this package.

The evolution of the workplace has also introduced terms like virtual office, which refers to a setup where employees work remotely but are connected via digital communication tools. This reflects how the language adapts to technological advancements while retaining core vocabulary.

Our company operates a completely virtual office with staff around the world.

Whether you are a student learning about professional environments, a job seeker preparing for interviews, or a professional navigating corporate culture, mastering the usage of the word office is absolutely essential. It provides the foundation for discussing where work happens, how businesses are structured, and the daily rhythms of professional life.

The entire office celebrated the manager's retirement with a large cake.

By understanding these nuances, learners can communicate more effectively and accurately in a wide variety of professional and casual settings.

Using the word office correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical properties, particularly its behavior as a countable noun and its interaction with prepositions and articles. Because office is a countable noun, it can be singular or plural. You can have one office, or a building can have many offices. This means you must pay attention to article usage. You generally cannot say I am in office when referring to a physical location; you must say I am in the office or I am in an office.

Preposition: In: Used to indicate that someone is physically inside the workspace.

John is currently in his office taking a phone call.

The choice of preposition is one of the most common areas where learners make mistakes. We typically use in the office to mean physically inside the room or building, and at the office to mean present at the workplace generally, even if not inside a specific room.

Preposition: At: Used to indicate general presence at the workplace location.

I left my umbrella at the office yesterday.

When talking about movement towards the workplace, the preposition to is used, almost always followed by the definite article the.

She commutes to the office by train every morning.

Another important grammatical structure involves using office as a noun adjunct, which means it acts like an adjective to modify another noun. Examples include office supplies, office furniture, office manager, and office hours. In these cases, office remains singular even if the noun it modifies is plural.

Noun Adjunct: Using the word to describe things related to the workplace.

We need to order more office supplies before the end of the month.

When referring to the abstract concept of a political or official position, the rules change slightly. In this context, it is often used without an article, especially in phrases like take office, hold office, or leave office.

The new mayor will take office next week after the inauguration ceremony.

Mastering these sentence patterns will significantly improve your fluency and ensure that your English sounds natural and professional in any business context.

The word office is ubiquitous in English-speaking environments, and you will encounter it in a vast array of contexts, ranging from casual conversations to highly formal professional documents. One of the most common places you will hear this word is, naturally, in the workplace itself. Colleagues frequently use it when discussing their schedules, locations, and tasks. You will hear phrases like I will be out of the office tomorrow, or Can you stop by my office later? These interactions form the backbone of daily corporate communication.

Corporate Communication: Everyday discussions among colleagues regarding availability and location.

I have a meeting in the main office at two o'clock.

Beyond the workplace, you will frequently hear the word in public service contexts. For example, when dealing with mail, you visit the post office. When buying tickets for a movie, concert, or play, you go to the box office. When dealing with government paperwork, you might visit a local government office.

Public Services: Locations providing specific services to the general public.

The tickets are available for purchase at the theater's box office.

In American English, the term doctor's office is the standard way to refer to the place where a physician sees patients. You will hear people say, I have an appointment at the doctor's office this afternoon.

Please wait in the reception area until the nurse calls you into the doctor's office.

The word is also prevalent in news and media, particularly when discussing politics or corporate news. News anchors frequently report on politicians taking office, resigning from office, or running for office. In business news, you might hear about a company opening a new branch office or relocating its head office.

News and Media: Reports on political positions and corporate real estate or expansions.

The tech giant announced plans to open a massive new office in London.

Finally, in the era of remote work, the phrase home office has become incredibly common. People frequently discuss setting up their home office, buying furniture for their home office, or working from their home office.

Since the pandemic, she has spent most of her time working from her home office.

Recognizing these varied contexts will help you understand that while the core meaning remains related to work and administration, the specific application of the word office is remarkably diverse.

While office is a relatively simple noun, English learners frequently make mistakes regarding its grammar, particularly with articles, prepositions, and collocations. One of the most persistent errors is the omission of the definite article the when referring to a physical workplace. Many learners translate directly from their native languages and say I am going to office or I am in office. In English, unless you are referring to a political position, you must use an article or a possessive pronoun. You must say I am going to the office, I am going to my office, or I am in an office.

Missing Article: Forgetting to use 'the', 'a', or 'my' before the noun when referring to a physical place.

Incorrect: I am at office. Correct: I am at the office.

Another common mistake involves confusing the prepositions in and at. While both are often acceptable, they have slightly different nuances. In the office emphasizes being physically inside the room or building. At the office emphasizes the location or the state of being at work. Saying I am on the office is always incorrect.

Wrong Preposition: Using 'on' instead of 'in' or 'at'.

Incorrect: He is working on the office. Correct: He is working in the office.

Learners also sometimes struggle with compound nouns. When using office as an adjective to describe another noun, it must remain singular. For example, it is office supplies, not offices supplies, even if there are many offices in the building.

Pluralizing Noun Adjuncts: Adding an 's' to office when it is modifying another noun.

Incorrect: We need new offices furniture. Correct: We need new office furniture.

A more subtle mistake is confusing office with desk or workplace. While an office is a workplace, not every workplace is an office. A factory floor is a workplace, but it is not an office. Similarly, a desk is a piece of furniture inside an office, not the office itself.

Incorrect: I left my pen on my office. Correct: I left my pen on my desk in the office.

Finally, pronunciation errors can occur. The stress is always on the first syllable: OFF-ice. Pronouncing it with stress on the second syllable sounds unnatural and can cause brief confusion for native speakers.

Make sure to emphasize the 'O' when saying office to sound like a native speaker.

By paying attention to these common pitfalls—especially the mandatory use of articles for physical locations—learners can quickly master the correct usage of this essential vocabulary word.

While office is the most common and universally understood term for a place where administrative work happens, the English language offers several similar words and alternatives that can add precision and variety to your vocabulary. Choosing the right alternative depends heavily on the specific context, the formality of the situation, and the exact nature of the workspace being described. One of the most common synonyms is workplace. This is a broader term that encompasses any location where people perform their jobs. An office is a type of workplace, but a factory, a restaurant, and a construction site are also workplaces.

Workplace: A general term for any location where employment duties are carried out.

Safety regulations must be strictly followed in every workplace.

Another excellent alternative is workspace. This term is often used to describe the specific area where an individual works, which could be a desk, a cubicle, or a shared table. It has become particularly popular in the context of modern, open-plan environments and coworking hubs.

Workspace: The specific physical area allocated for someone to work, often within a larger office.

Please keep your personal workspace clean and organized.

In more formal or corporate contexts, you might hear the term headquarters or head office. These refer specifically to the main, central administrative building of a large company or organization, distinguishing it from smaller branch locations.

Headquarters: The main office or center of operations for a large organization.

The company's global headquarters is located in downtown New York.

For smaller, more enclosed spaces within a larger room, the word cubicle is often used. A cubicle is a partially enclosed workspace separated by low walls, very common in corporate environments of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

He decorated his cubicle with photos of his family and a small plant.

Finally, in British English, the word bureau is sometimes used, though it is more commonly associated with government departments or specific agencies (like a news bureau or the Federal Bureau of Investigation) rather than a standard corporate workspace.

She works as a correspondent for the local news bureau.

By familiarizing yourself with these alternatives, you can describe professional environments with greater accuracy and sound much more fluent in your English communication.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

중립

비격식체

Child friendly

속어

재미있는 사실

The word 'officious', which today means being annoyingly eager to tell people what to do, originally meant 'eager to serve or help'—a much more positive trait derived from the original meaning of 'office' as a duty or service!

발음 가이드

UK /ˈɒf.ɪs/

US /ˈɔː.fɪs/ or /ˈɑː.fɪs/

First syllable (OFF-ice)

라임이 맞는 단어

promise novice bodice goddess flawless lawless modest honest

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the 'i' like a long 'e' (off-ees).
Putting the stress on the second syllable (o-FFICE).
Forgetting to pronounce the final 's' sound clearly.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'officer'.
Saying 'of-fice' with a hard 'f' sound instead of a soft one.

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read.

쓰기 2/5

Easy to spell, but learners must remember the double 'f' and the 'c' instead of 's'.

말하기 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but stress must be on the first syllable.

듣기 1/5

Easily distinguishable in spoken English.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

work job room desk building

다음에 배울 것

colleague manager meeting company commute

고급

bureaucracy headquarters administrative executive cubicle

알아야 할 문법

Articles with Locations

Use 'the' when referring to a specific workplace: 'I am going to the office.'

Prepositions of Place (in vs. at)

'In the office' means inside the room; 'at the office' means at the workplace generally.

Noun Adjuncts

When 'office' modifies another noun, it stays singular: 'office supplies', not 'offices supplies'.

Zero Article for Abstract Concepts

Do not use an article when referring to a political position: 'He took office.'

Possessive Pronouns

Use possessives to indicate ownership of a workspace: 'I am in my office.'

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수준별 예문

I work in a big office in the city.

A place where people work at desks.

Use 'in an' or 'in a' before office to show location.

My father goes to the office every morning.

Traveling to the workplace.

Use 'to the' to indicate movement toward the workplace.

She has a computer in her office.

A specific room belonging to someone.

Use a possessive pronoun like 'her' to show ownership of the space.

The post office is next to the bank.

A place to send mail.

'Post office' is a common compound noun.

Is he in the office today?

Asking about someone's presence at work.

Use 'in the' for asking about physical presence.

We have a meeting at the office.

An event happening at the workplace.

'At the' is used for general location.

This is my new office.

Introducing a workspace.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

The office is closed on Sundays.

Business hours.

The noun is the subject of the sentence.

I need to buy some new office supplies like pens and paper.

Items used for working at a desk.

'Office' acts as an adjective modifying 'supplies'.

Her office hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The time when a business is open.

'Office hours' is a set phrase.

Please wait for me outside the main office.

The primary administrative room.

Adjectives like 'main' come before 'office'.

I left my jacket at the office yesterday.

Forgetting something at the workplace.

Using past tense with the location.

The doctor's office is on the second floor.

A medical clinic.

Use the possessive 's' for specific professional spaces.

We share an office with three other people.

Working in the same room as others.

The verb 'share' is commonly used with office.

Can you call the office and tell them I will be late?

Telephoning the workplace.

'The office' can refer to the people working there.

I am setting up a small home office in my bedroom.

A workspace inside a house.

'Home office' is a very common modern phrase.

The company is moving its head office to a different city next year.

The main headquarters of a company.

'Head office' is singular even for large companies.

There is a lot of office politics that I try to avoid.

Social dynamics and power struggles at work.

'Office politics' is an uncountable concept.

Our new open-plan office is very noisy, making it hard to concentrate.

A workspace without dividing walls.

'Open-plan' is a compound adjective modifying office.

The mayor will take office in January after winning the election.

To officially start a political job.

Notice the lack of an article before 'office' in this political context.

She works as an office manager and handles all the administrative tasks.

A job title for someone who runs the workplace.

Job titles often use 'office' as the first word.

We are having an office party on Friday to celebrate the successful project.

A social event for colleagues.

'Office party' is a common collocation.

The box office opens two hours before the concert begins.

The place where tickets are sold.

'Box office' is a specific type of office.

I am out of the office today, but I will check my emails periodically.

Not physically present at work.

'Out of the office' is a standard professional phrase.

The decentralization of the workforce means fewer people commute to a central corporate office.

A large, main building for a company.

Advanced vocabulary surrounding the core noun.

He was forced to resign from office following the corruption scandal.

To leave a political position.

'Resign from office' uses no article.

The back office handles all the accounting and IT support for the firm.

The administrative departments that do not interact with customers.

'Back office' is a specific business term.

Despite the rise of remote work, the physical office remains crucial for team collaboration.

The actual building as opposed to virtual work.

Contrasting physical and virtual spaces.

She is running for public office for the first time in her career.

Trying to get elected to a government position.

'Public office' is a formal collocation.

The movie was a massive success at the box office, breaking several records.

Financial success in terms of ticket sales.

Idiomatic use of 'box office' to mean revenue.

We need to optimize our office layout to improve workflow and employee satisfaction.

The physical arrangement of desks and rooms.

'Office layout' is a compound noun.

The entire office was in an uproar when the sudden layoffs were announced.

The collective group of employees.

Using 'office' as a metonym for the people inside it.

The executive assumed office amidst a period of unprecedented economic volatility.

Took control of a high-level position.

Formal phrasing 'assumed office'.

The transition from a traditional hierarchical office to an agile workspace requires significant cultural shifts.

A workplace structured by strict levels of management.

Complex academic/business description.

He holds the office of the presidency with a deep sense of historical responsibility.

The specific position of being president.

'The office of' specifies the exact title.

The firm's satellite offices in Asia report directly to the European headquarters.

Smaller, secondary branch locations.

'Satellite offices' is advanced corporate terminology.

Through his good offices, the two warring factions were finally brought to the negotiating table.

Through someone's help or mediation.

A rare, formal idiom meaning 'through the help of'.

The pervasive nature of modern technology means the boundary between home and office has become hopelessly blurred.

The distinction between personal life and work life.

Abstract discussion of the concept of the workplace.

She was stripped of her office after the internal investigation revealed gross misconduct.

Removed from a position of power.

'Stripped of office' is a strong, formal collocation.

The architecture of the building was designed to subvert the traditional paradigms of the corporate office.

The standard model of a business workplace.

Using the word in an architectural and sociological context.

The incumbent's malfeasance in office ultimately led to a historic impeachment trial.

Illegal or dishonest activity while holding a position of power.

Highly formal legal/political phrasing.

The concept of the office as a mere receptacle for administrative labor is an anachronism in the knowledge economy.

A container or physical space for basic work.

Academic and philosophical analysis of the word's meaning.

He serves ex officio on the board of directors by virtue of his position as university chancellor.

Holding a position because of another office held.

Latin phrase 'ex officio' meaning 'from the office'.

The novel brilliantly satirizes the Kafkaesque bureaucracy inherent in the modern labyrinthine office.

A confusing, overly complex workplace system.

Literary criticism context.

The proliferation of the virtual office has fundamentally irrevocably altered the socio-spatial dynamics of urban centers.

A digital workspace replacing a physical one.

Sociological and urban planning terminology.

She discharged the duties of her office with an unimpeachable level of integrity and grace.

Performed the responsibilities of her position.

Formal phrasing 'discharged the duties of her office'.

The term 'office' itself derives from the Latin 'officium', denoting a service, duty, or ceremonial observance.

The historical origin of the word.

Etymological discussion.

In the ecclesiastical context, the Divine Office refers to the canonical hours of prayer recited by the clergy.

A specific religious service or set of prayers.

A highly specific, religious definition of the word.

동의어

workplace workspace bureau headquarters agency department

반의어

home factory outdoors

자주 쓰는 조합

take office

office hours

head office

box office

post office

office supplies

home office

run for office

office manager

out of the office

자주 쓰는 구문

in the office

— Physically present inside the workspace.

I am in the office right now if you want to stop by.

at the office

— Present at the workplace generally.

I left my keys at the office.

go to the office

— To commute to one's workplace.

I have to go to the office early tomorrow.

leave the office

— To depart from the workplace at the end of the day.

I usually leave the office around 5 PM.

office politics

— The social dynamics and power struggles within a workplace.

I try to stay out of office politics and just do my job.

office party

— A social gathering for colleagues.

Are you going to the Christmas office party?

front office

— The administrative staff that interacts with the public.

Please leave your resume with the front office.

back office

— The administrative staff that does not interact with the public.

The back office handles all the accounting.

hold office

— To occupy a political position.

She is the first woman to hold this office.

term in office

— The period of time someone serves in a political position.

During his term in office, he passed many new laws.

자주 혼동되는 단어

office vs desk

A desk is a piece of furniture where you sit to work. An office is the room that contains the desk.

office vs workplace

A workplace is any place where work is done (like a factory or restaurant). An office is a specific type of workplace for administrative tasks.

office vs officer

An officer is a person who holds a position of authority (like a police officer). An office is the place or the position itself.

관용어 및 표현

"doing a land-office business"

— Doing a very large amount of business in a short time.

The new ice cream shop is doing a land-office business this summer.

informal

"good offices"

— Help or mediation provided by someone in authority.

Through the good offices of the ambassador, a treaty was signed.

formal

"office romance"

— A romantic relationship between two people who work together.

The company has a strict policy against office romances.

neutral

"corner office"

— A symbol of high status or executive power within a company.

He finally got the promotion and the corner office.

neutral

"office gossip"

— Rumors or personal talk about colleagues.

You shouldn't listen to the office gossip.

informal

"office drone"

— A person who does boring, repetitive work in an office.

He felt like just another office drone in the massive corporation.

informal

"office space"

— The physical area used for business, or a reference to the famous movie.

We are looking to rent more office space downtown.

neutral

"office hours"

— The specific times a professional is available to meet.

Please come see me during my office hours.

neutral

"take office"

— To officially begin a government job.

The newly elected mayor will take office next week.

formal

"leave office"

— To officially end a government job.

He will leave office at the end of the year.

formal

혼동하기 쉬운

office vs officer

Similar spelling and root word.

An officer is a person (e.g., police officer, military officer). An office is a place or an abstract position.

The police officer walked into the office.

office vs official

Similar spelling and root word.

'Official' is usually an adjective meaning authorized, or a noun for a person holding public office. 'Office' is the place or position.

The official statement was released from the mayor's office.

office vs study

Both are rooms used for working or reading.

A study is typically a room in a private home used for personal reading or academic work. An office is usually for professional business.

He read a book in his study, then went to his office to work.

office vs bureau

Both refer to places of administrative work.

'Bureau' is more formal and often refers to a government department or a specific agency, whereas 'office' is the general term for any business workspace.

The FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation, and they have many offices.

office vs cubicle

Both refer to workspaces.

A cubicle is a small, partitioned area within a larger room. An office is a fully enclosed room with a door, or the entire building.

She works in a small cubicle inside a massive corporate office.

문장 패턴

[Subject] + work(s) + in + an + office.

She works in an office.

[Subject] + go(es) + to + the + office.

I go to the office.

[Subject] + be + at/in + the + office.

He is at the office.

[Subject] + need(s) + office + [noun].

We need office supplies.

[Subject] + be + out of the office.

I am out of the office today.

[Subject] + take(s) + office + [time].

The mayor takes office next week.

If [Subject] + were + in the office, [Subject] + would...

If I were in the office, I would help you.

The [adjective] + office + handles...

The corporate office handles all legal matters.

어휘 가족

명사

동사

형용사

사용법

frequency

Very High (Top 1000 words)

자주 하는 실수

I am going to office. → I am going to the office.
You must use the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific physical location like a workplace.
We need new offices supplies. → We need new office supplies.
When a noun acts as an adjective to modify another noun, it cannot be pluralized in English.
He is working on the office. → He is working in the office.
The preposition 'on' is used for surfaces. You cannot be 'on' a room; you must be 'in' it or 'at' it.
The mayor took the office yesterday. → The mayor took office yesterday.
When referring to assuming a political position, the phrase 'take office' is a fixed idiom that does not use an article.
I left my pen in my office. (When referring to a desk in a shared room) → I left my pen on my desk.
An office is the entire room. If you share a room, your specific area is your desk or workspace, not your personal office.

팁

Articles are Mandatory

Never say 'I am in office' when referring to a physical place. Always use an article: 'I am in the office' or 'I am in an office'.

Noun Adjuncts

When combining 'office' with another noun, keep it singular. Say 'office chairs', not 'offices chairs'.

Stress the First Syllable

Always put the emphasis on the 'OFF' part of the word. Saying o-FFICE sounds unnatural.

In vs. At

Use 'in' when you want to emphasize being inside the four walls. Use 'at' for general location at work.

Box Office

Remember that 'box office' means ticket sales. If a movie 'did well at the box office', it made a lot of money.

Out of Office (OOO)

Use the phrase 'out of the office' in your professional voicemail or email auto-replies when you are away.

Zero Article for Politics

Remember the exception: drop the article when talking about government positions. 'The president took office.'

Double F

Don't forget the double 'f' when spelling office. It is a common spelling mistake for beginners.

Home Office

If you work remotely, calling your workspace a 'home office' sounds very professional and native-like.

Head Office

Use 'head office' or 'headquarters' to refer to the main building of a large company, not 'main office'.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine an OFF-ice switch. When you go to the OFFICE, you turn OFF the ICE (relaxing) and start working hard!

시각적 연상

Picture a large, glass building with the word 'OFFICE' glowing in bright neon letters above the entrance, with people in suits walking inside carrying briefcases.

Word Web

desk computer manager work building colleagues meeting business

챌린지

Try to use the word 'office' in three different ways today: once to describe a room, once to describe a building, and once in a compound word like 'post office'.

어원

The word 'office' comes from the Middle English 'office', which was borrowed from the Anglo-Norman and Old French 'office'. This, in turn, derives from the Latin word 'officium', meaning 'service', 'duty', or 'ceremonial observance'. The Latin 'officium' is believed to be a contraction of 'opificium', from 'opus' (work) and 'facere' (to do).

원래 의미: Originally, in Latin and early English, the word referred primarily to a duty, a service, or a moral obligation, rather than a physical room. It was only later, around the 14th century, that it began to refer to the place where official duties were carried out.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Old French > Middle English

문화적 맥락

Be aware that asking 'What is your office?' might sound unnatural; it's better to ask 'Where do you work?' or 'What do you do?'

In the US and UK, 'watercooler talk' is a common cultural phenomenon referring to casual conversation among colleagues in the office.

'The Office' (UK and US television series parodying corporate life) 'Office Space' (1999 cult classic comedy film about office drudgery) 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' (Herman Melville's classic story set in a Wall Street office)

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Daily Commute

go to the office
leave the office
commute to the office
arrive at the office

Workplace Location

in the office
at the office
out of the office
main office

Business Operations

head office
branch office
office hours
office manager

Politics and Government

take office
run for office
leave office
term in office

Public Services

post office
box office
government office
ticket office

대화 시작하기

"How long does it take you to commute to the office every day?"

"Do you prefer working in a traditional office or working from home?"

"What is the layout of your office like? Is it open-plan or do you have cubicles?"

"Have you ever had to deal with difficult office politics?"

"What is your favorite thing about your current office environment?"

일기 주제

Describe your ideal office space. What furniture, colors, and equipment would it have?

Write about a time when something funny or unexpected happened at the office.

Do you think physical offices will still exist in 50 years? Why or why not?

Explain the difference between working in an office and working outdoors. Which do you prefer?

Write a short story about a detective working late in their office.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. 'In the office' emphasizes that you are physically inside the room or building. 'At the office' is more general and means you are at your workplace, even if you are stepping outside for a moment. For example, 'I left my coat at the office' is very common.

When 'office' refers to an abstract political or official position rather than a physical room, we do not use an article. Phrases like 'take office', 'hold office', and 'leave office' are fixed expressions in English.

Yes, 'office' is a countable noun. The plural is 'offices'. For example, 'Our company has offices in London, Paris, and Tokyo.' However, when used as an adjective (noun adjunct), it stays singular: 'office supplies'.

A home office is a designated space or room inside a person's private residence that is used for professional work. It became a very common term during the rise of remote work.

'Post office' is written as two separate words. It is a compound noun referring to the public building where mail is processed and stamps are sold.

'Out of office' (often abbreviated as OOO) is a professional phrase meaning that a person is not currently at work and is unavailable. It is commonly used in automated email replies, such as 'I am currently out of the office on vacation.'

The 'box office' is the place at a theater, cinema, or stadium where tickets are sold to the public. Idiomatically, it also refers to the total amount of money a movie makes from ticket sales.

It is pronounced OFF-iss, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'o' sounds like the 'o' in 'hot', and the 'c' sounds like an 's'.

'Office politics' refers to the complex social dynamics, power struggles, and interpersonal relationships among colleagues in a workplace. It often has a negative connotation.

No, 'office' is strictly a noun. If you want to describe the action of working in an office, you must use a verb phrase like 'work in an office'. There is a related verb, 'officiate', but it means to perform a ceremony.

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