Meaning
To arrange papers or files in a systematic way.
Cultural Background
In Korean companies, 'Seoryu Jeongni' is often the first task given to interns. It is seen as a way to familiarize them with the company's history and current projects. Despite being a high-tech society, Korean bureaucracy still relies heavily on 'ActiveX' and physical printouts for official verification, leading to a constant need for document organization. Korean students are taught to keep 'O-dap-no-teu' (incorrect answer notes), which is a form of 'Seoryu Jeongni' for their own study materials to improve grades. Korean households often have a specific 'Seoryu-ham' (document box) where they keep essential family documents like the 'Deung-bon' (resident registration).
Use '정리' for everything
In Korea, '정리' is a magic word. You can organize your desk, your thoughts, your relationships, and your documents. Master this verb!
Don't say '청소' for files
Saying '파일을 청소하다' sounds like you are literally scrubbing your computer screen with soap.
Meaning
To arrange papers or files in a systematic way.
Use '정리' for everything
In Korea, '정리' is a magic word. You can organize your desk, your thoughts, your relationships, and your documents. Master this verb!
Don't say '청소' for files
Saying '파일을 청소하다' sounds like you are literally scrubbing your computer screen with soap.
The 'Pali-Pali' nuance
If a boss says '서류 정리 좀 해,' they usually mean 'do it quickly and neatly right now.'
Digital usage
This phrase is 100% applicable to your computer desktop. Use it when talking about your digital life too.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '정리하다'.
너무 바빠서 아직 서류를 (______) 못 했어요.
The pattern '~지 못하다' is used for inability. '정리하지 못 했어요' means 'I couldn't organize.'
Which sentence is the most natural for an office setting?
How would you tell your boss you are organizing documents?
'정리하다' is the standard professional term for organizing documents.
Match the Korean phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all common collocations with '서류'.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 책상이 왜 이렇게 지저분해요? 나: 미안해요. 지금 바로 (______).
The speaker is promising a future action in response to a comment, so '~ㄹ게요' is the most natural ending.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
정리하다 vs 치우다
Practice Bank
4 exercises너무 바빠서 아직 서류를 (______) 못 했어요.
The pattern '~지 못하다' is used for inability. '정리하지 못 했어요' means 'I couldn't organize.'
How would you tell your boss you are organizing documents?
'정리하다' is the standard professional term for organizing documents.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common collocations with '서류'.
가: 책상이 왜 이렇게 지저분해요? 나: 미안해요. 지금 바로 (______).
The speaker is promising a future action in response to a comment, so '~ㄹ게요' is the most natural ending.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say '옷을 정리하다.' The verb '정리하다' is very versatile, but '서류' specifically means documents.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both the office and talking to friends. The formality comes from the sentence ending (e.g., ~ㅂ니다 vs ~어).
'서류' (書類) usually refers to physical papers or specific application forms. '문서' (文書) is a broader term for 'documents' or 'records,' often used for digital files (e.g., Word docs).
You can say '서류 정리 다 했어요' or '서류 정리를 마쳤어요' (more formal).
This is due to a Korean phonological rule where 'ㄹ' becomes 'ㄴ' after a nasal consonant like 'ㅇ'.
Not directly. '정리하다' implies keeping things in order. If you delete things to make space, you might say '필요 없는 서류를 정리하다' (organizing by removing unnecessary ones).
Not a specific slang word, but people often just say '서류 정리 중' (In the middle of doc organization) as a shorthand.
There isn't a single verb, but you could say '서류가 어질러져 있다' (papers are scattered/messy).
Yes! Saying you are good at '서류 정리' is a great way to show you are organized and detail-oriented.
For books, you would usually say '책을 정리하다.'
Related Phrases
짐을 정리하다
similarTo organize luggage or belongings
생각을 정리하다
figurativeTo organize one's thoughts
서류를 제출하다
builds onTo submit documents
서류를 작성하다
builds onTo fill out/create documents
주변을 정리하다
similarTo tidy up one's surroundings
