When you're heading to work, the path or journey you take is called 출근길 (chulgeungil). It literally combines the words for 'going to work' (출근) and 'road' or 'way' (길).
So, if someone asks you about your 출근길, they're asking about your commute.
For example, you might say "출근길이 막혀요" to mean "My commute is traffic-jammed."
Or, you could talk about seeing something interesting "출근길에" which means "on my way to work."
When you're heading to work, the path you take is called 출근길 (chulgeungil). It literally combines the words for 'going to work' (출근) and 'road/path' (길). So, it's the 'work-going road'.
You can use this word when talking about your commute, like how long it takes or what you see along the way. For example, you might say 출근길이 막혔어요 (chulgeungil-i makyeosseoyo), meaning 'the way to work was blocked/congested'.
It's a really practical word for everyday conversation about your daily routine.
When you hear 출근길 (chulgeungil), think of the path or the actual journey someone takes to get to their workplace. It literally combines '출근' (chulgeun), meaning 'going to work', and '길' (gil), meaning 'road' or 'path'. So, it's the 'going to work road'.
This term often refers to the commute itself, including the time spent traveling and the route chosen. You might hear people talk about their '출근길' being long or short, or experiencing traffic during their '출근길'. It's a very common everyday word used when discussing daily routines and transportation to work.
When you're talking about your daily commute to work, the word 출근길 (chulgeungil) is a very common and practical term. It literally combines 출근 (chulgeun), meaning 'going to work,' and 길 (gil), meaning 'road' or 'path.' So, 출근길 directly translates to 'the way to work' or 'the commute to work.'
It's often used to describe not just the physical route, but also the experience or the time spent on that journey. You'll hear Koreans say things like 출근길이 막혔어요 (Chulgeungiri makyeosseoyo), meaning 'The way to work was blocked' or 'My commute was jammed.' It's a handy word for discussing your morning routine and the challenges or ease of getting to your workplace.
When you're heading to work, the path you take, whether by foot, car, or public transport, is your 출근길. It literally combines '출근' (going to work) and '길' (road/path). This term encapsulates not just the physical route but also the time spent commuting to your workplace.
It's a common phrase used in daily conversation among Koreans. For example, you might hear someone say, "My 출근길 is really busy today," or "I enjoy listening to podcasts on my 출근길." The term can refer to the specific route itself, or the act of commuting to work.
출근길 in 30 Seconds
- Literally means 'going to work road.'
- Refers to the act or path of commuting to work.
- Used in daily conversations about one's commute.
§ What does 출근길 mean?
- Definition
- The route or journey taken to go to work.
출근길 (chulgeungil) is a very common and practical Korean word. It literally means 'the way to work' or 'the commute to work'. You'll hear it used daily by Koreans talking about their morning routine, traffic, or how they get to their workplace. It's not just about the physical path; it encompasses the whole experience of traveling to work.
매일 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀요. (Every morning, the way to work is so jammed.)
When people use 출근길, they are often describing the challenges or events that happen during their morning travel. It could be about traffic, crowded subways, or even something interesting they saw on their way. It's a convenient single word that covers a lot of ground when discussing daily routines related to employment.
§ When do people use 출근길?
Koreans use 출근길 in many everyday situations. Here are some common examples:
- Talking about traffic: This is probably the most frequent use. If traffic is bad, you'll hear people complain about their '막히는 출근길' (jammed commute).
- Describing their mode of transport: You might hear someone say '지하철 출근길' (subway commute) or '버스 출근길' (bus commute).
- Discussing the length or difficulty of their commute: '출근길이 멀어요' (The commute is long) or '출근길이 힘들어요' (The commute is difficult).
- Mentioning things they do during their commute: '출근길에 음악을 들어요' (I listen to music on my way to work).
- Referring to events or news that happen during commuting hours: '출근길 뉴스' (commute-time news).
출근길에 커피 한 잔 사 마셨어요. (I bought a cup of coffee on my way to work.)
Understanding 출근길 helps you grasp the daily rhythm of life in Korea, especially for working professionals. It's a word that connects directly to the experience of urban living and employment. You'll find it incredibly useful for understanding conversations and even participating in them when talking about daily life.
오늘 출근길에 사고가 있었대요. (They say there was an accident on the way to work today.)
Remember, while it translates to 'way to work' or 'commute', its usage often implies the duration, challenges, or notable events experienced during that journey. It's a highly contextual word, and its meaning becomes richer with the surrounding conversation. Mastering this word will make your Korean sound much more natural and fluent.
Hello everyone! Today we're going to learn about a very useful Korean word: 출근길 (chulgeungil). This word is super practical for anyone talking about daily life in Korea.
- DEFINITION
- The route or journey taken to go to work.
Think of it as 'the way to work' or 'my commute to work'. It's a noun, and it combines two simpler words:
- 출근 (chulgeun) meaning 'going to work' or 'attendance at work'
- 길 (gil) meaning 'road' or 'way'
So, literally, it's the 'going to work road'. Easy, right?
§ How to use it in a sentence
You'll often hear 출근길 used in situations describing someone's commute or the time spent getting to work. Let's look at some common ways to use it.
§ With common verbs
You'll frequently see 출근길 paired with verbs like 'to be stuck' (막히다), 'to be busy' (붐비다), or 'to take' (걸리다).
오늘은 출근길이 많이 막혔어요.
(Today, the way to work was very congested/blocked.)
지하철 출근길은 항상 붐벼요.
(The subway commute to work is always crowded.)
출근길에 시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
(How much time does your commute to work take?)
§ Using it with 'on the way'
To say 'on the way to work' or 'during the commute to work', you can attach the particle 에 (-e) or 에서 (-eseo) to 출근길. While both can be used, 출근길에 is more common when talking about something happening *during* the commute, like an event or an action.
출근길에 커피 한 잔을 샀어요.
(I bought a cup of coffee on my way to work.)
출근길에서 친구를 우연히 만났어요.
(I accidentally met a friend on my way to work.)
§ Describing the commute
You can also use 출근길 as part of a longer phrase to describe the characteristics of the commute itself.
저의 출근길은 꽤 길어요.
(My way to work is quite long.)
You might also see 퇴근길 (toegeungil) which means 'the way home from work' or 'the commute home'. It's the exact opposite of 출근길!
Now you know how to use 출근길 in various sentences. Try practicing by talking about your own commute or asking a friend about theirs!
§ Understanding 출근길
The Korean word 출근길 (chulgeungil) literally translates to 'way to work' or 'commute to work'. It's a noun that describes the physical journey or route you take when you're heading to your workplace. It's a very common and practical word that you'll hear often in everyday conversations, especially in a busy country like Korea where commuting is a significant part of daily life for many people.
- DEFINITION
- The route or journey taken to go to work.
§ Where You'll Hear 출근길
You'll encounter 출근길 in a variety of situations. It's not an academic word; it's deeply ingrained in daily Korean life. Here are some common places where you'll hear it:
- Workplace Conversations: Your Korean colleagues will definitely use this word when talking about their daily commute.
- School Discussions: While not directly related to 'work' for students, you might hear a teacher or older student use it when talking about their journey to school, especially if they also work.
- News Reports: During rush hour, news channels often report on traffic conditions, and 출근길 will be a key term used.
- Casual Chats: Friends and family will use it when discussing their morning routines or asking about each other's commute.
§ Examples in Context
Let's look at some practical examples to help you understand how 출근길 is used in sentences:
매일 출근길이 너무 막혀요.
(My commute to work is so congested every day.)
출근길에 커피 한 잔 마셨어요.
(I drank a cup of coffee on my way to work.)
오늘 출근길은 어떠셨어요?
(How was your commute to work today?)
지하철 출근길은 편해요.
(The subway commute to work is comfortable.)
§ Using 출근길 in Daily Conversation
When you're speaking Korean, don't hesitate to use 출근길 to describe your own morning journey. It's a natural and common way to talk about this aspect of daily life. For instance, if someone asks about your morning, you could say:
제 출근길은 한 시간 정도 걸려요.
(My commute to work takes about an hour.)
Or, if you want to ask a colleague about their morning commute, you could use a simple question like the example above: 오늘 출근길은 어떠셨어요? (How was your commute to work today?)
Mastering words like 출근길 will significantly improve your ability to engage in natural, everyday conversations in Korean. It's a practical word that reflects a common experience, making it highly relevant to anyone living or working in Korea, or simply learning about Korean culture and daily routines.
§ Understanding "출근길"
"출근길" (chulgeungil) is a very practical and commonly used Korean word. It literally combines "출근" (chulgeun), meaning 'going to work' or 'commuting to work', and "길" (gil), meaning 'road' or 'way'. So, when put together, it refers to the path or journey one takes to get to their workplace. It's not just about the physical road; it encompasses the entire act of commuting.
It's important to understand that "출근길" is a noun. It describes the journey itself, not the act of going to work. For the act, you would typically use "출근하다" (chulgeunhada), which means 'to go to work' or 'to commute'.
- DEFINITION
- The route or journey taken to go to work.
§ Mistake 1: Using "출근길" as a verb
One of the most common mistakes is to use "출근길" as if it were a verb, meaning 'to go to work'. Remember, it's a noun. You can't directly say "I 출근길 today."
- Incorrect: 저는 오늘 출근길했어요. (Jeoneun 오늘 chulgeungil-haesseoyo.)
- Correct: 저는 오늘 출근했어요. (Jeoneun 오늘 chulgeunhaesseoyo.)
(I went to work today.)
저는 출근길에 라디오를 들어요.
(I listen to the radio on my way to work.)
§ Mistake 2: Confusing "출근길" with the destination
"출근길" refers to the journey itself, not the destination (your workplace). While the journey leads to the destination, the words are not interchangeable.
- Incorrect: 저의 출근길은 회사입니다. (Jeoui chulgeungil-eun hoesa-imnida.)
- Correct: 저의 회사는 저기입니다. (Jeoui hoesa-neun jeogi-imnida.)
(My company is over there.)
출근길이 막혀서 늦었어요.
(I was late because the way to work was blocked/congested.)
§ Mistake 3: Overusing "출근길" in general contexts of going somewhere
Remember, "출근길" is specific to going to work. If you're going to school, a friend's house, or the grocery store, you shouldn't use "출근길." Instead, you'd use more general terms like "가는 길" (ganeun gil - the way to go) or specify the destination.
- Incorrect: 저는 오늘 학교 출근길에 친구를 만났어요. (Jeoneun 오늘 hakgyo chulgeungil-e chingu-reul mannatseoyo.)
- Correct: 저는 오늘 학교 가는 길에 친구를 만났어요. (Jeoneun 오늘 hakgyo ganeun gil-e chingu-reul mannatseoyo.)
(I met a friend on my way to school today.)
매일 출근길이 너무 길어요.
(Everyday, the way to work is too long.)
§ Understanding 출근길
Let's break down a very practical Korean word: 출근길 (chulgeungil). This word is super useful for anyone talking about their daily commute. It literally means 'the way to work' or 'the journey to work'. It's not just the road itself, but the whole experience of getting from your home to your workplace.
- Korean Word
- 출근길 (chulgeungil)
- Word Type
- Noun
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- The route or journey taken to go to work.
§ Examples of 출근길 in Sentences
Here are some common ways to use 출근길 in conversation:
매일 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀요.
Every morning, the commute to work is really congested.
출근길에 커피 한 잔 마시고 싶어요.
I want to drink a cup of coffee on my way to work.
지하철 출근길이 더 빠르고 편리해요.
The subway commute is faster and more convenient.
§ Similar Words and When to Use 출근길
While 출근길 specifically refers to the journey *to* work, let's look at some related terms and when you might use them instead:
- 퇴근길 (toegeungil): This is the direct opposite of 출근길. It means 'the route or journey taken to go home from work'. If you're talking about the evening rush, this is your word.
퇴근길에 친구 만났어요.
I met a friend on my way home from work.
- 등하굣길 (deunghagyotgil): This term is used for students. It refers to 'the route or journey to and from school'. It combines '등교' (going to school) and '하교' (leaving school).
아이들의 등하굣길 안전이 중요해요.
The safety of children's route to and from school is important.
- 출퇴근길 (chultoegeungil): This is a combination of 출근길 and 퇴근길. It means 'the daily commute to and from work'. You'd use this when talking about the entire round trip.
출퇴근길에 지하철에서 책을 읽어요.
I read a book on the subway during my daily commute to and from work.
While these words all relate to journeys, the key is the destination and purpose. Use 출근길 when you're specifically talking about the journey *to* work. If you're discussing the journey *from* work, use 퇴근길. For the whole work-related daily travel, use 출퇴근길. And remember 등하굣길 is exclusively for students and school.
Knowing these distinctions will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise. Keep practicing these terms, and you'll be talking about your daily movements like a pro in no time!
How Formal Is It?
"출근 시간에는 대중교통이 매우 혼잡합니다. (During commuting hours, public transportation is very crowded.)"
"저는 출근길에 팟캐스트를 들어요. (I listen to podcasts on my way to work.)"
"회사 가는 길에 커피 한 잔 사 갈까? (Shall I grab a coffee on my way to work?)"
"아빠 회사 가는 길 잘 다녀와! (Have a good trip on your way to work, Dad!)"
"아침마다 출근 전쟁이 따로 없어. (Every morning is a battle just to get to work.)"
Fun Fact
The '길' (gil) element is a native Korean word for 'road' or 'path', often found in compound words related to journeys or ways.
Pronunciation Guide
- ch-uhl-goon-gil
Difficulty Rating
short and common
short and common
common in daily conversation
common in daily conversation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
저는 매일 아침 출근길에 커피를 사요.
I buy coffee every morning on my way to work.
출근길이 막혀서 늦었어요.
I was late because the way to work was blocked.
오늘 출근길에 친구를 만났어요.
I met a friend on my way to work today.
그녀는 출근길에 음악을 들어요.
She listens to music on her way to work.
출근길은 항상 바빠요.
The way to work is always busy.
저는 출근길에 버스를 타요.
I take the bus on my way to work.
우리 아빠는 출근길에 신문을 읽어요.
My dad reads a newspaper on his way to work.
출근길에 눈이 많이 왔어요.
It snowed a lot on the way to work.
저는 매일 아침 출근길에 커피를 사요.
I buy coffee every morning on my way to work.
출근길이 막혀서 늦었어요.
I was late because the way to work was blocked.
오늘 아침 출근길은 정말 추웠어요.
This morning's commute was really cold.
출근길에 친구를 만났어요.
I met a friend on my way to work.
버스 안에서 출근길에 책을 읽어요.
I read a book on the bus during my commute.
출근길에 항상 음악을 들어요.
I always listen to music on my way to work.
제 출근길은 지하철로 30분 걸려요.
My commute takes 30 minutes by subway.
비 오는 날 출근길은 더 힘들어요.
Commuting on rainy days is harder.
매일 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀요.
Every morning, my commute (to work) is so (severely) congested.
이/가 is a subject particle. 너무 means 'too much' or 'very'.
출근길에 라디오를 들으면서 와요.
I come (to work) listening to the radio on my way to work.
~으면서 means 'while doing something'.
오늘은 출근길에 친구를 만났어요.
Today, I met a friend on my way to work.
에 indicates a time or place. ~에 만나다 means 'to meet at/on'.
출근길에 항상 커피를 사 마셔요.
I always buy and drink coffee on my way to work.
항상 means 'always'. ~고 싶다 means 'to want to'.
새로운 출근길을 찾아봐야겠어요.
I should try to find a new way to work.
~아/어 봐야겠다 means 'should try doing something'.
출근길에 사고가 나서 길이 막혔어요.
There was an accident on the way to work, so the road was blocked.
~아/어서 indicates a reason or cause.
지하철 출근길은 항상 복잡해요.
The subway commute (to work) is always crowded.
은/는 is a topic particle. 항상 means 'always'.
출근길에 뭘 하세요?
What do you do on your way to work?
뭘 is a contraction of 무엇을 (what + object particle).
매일 아침 출근길에 팟캐스트를 들으면서 시간을 효율적으로 활용해요.
Every morning, I listen to podcasts on my commute to work to use my time efficiently.
A common way to describe what you do during your commute.
오늘 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀서 회의에 늦었어요.
This morning's commute was so congested that I was late for the meeting.
막히다 (to be blocked/congested) is often used with traffic.
출근길에 항상 이 카페에 들러서 커피를 사 가요.
I always stop by this cafe on my way to work to get coffee.
들르다 (to stop by) is a useful verb for quick stops.
우리 회사는 출근길이 비교적 편해서 좋아요.
I like that my company's commute is relatively convenient.
비교적 (relatively) is a good adverb to add nuance.
요즘은 자전거로 출근하는 사람들이 출근길에서 많이 보여요.
These days, I see many people commuting by bicycle on their way to work.
자전거로 (by bicycle) indicates the mode of transport.
출근길에 갑자기 비가 와서 우산 없이 고생했어요.
It suddenly rained on my way to work, and I struggled without an umbrella.
고생하다 (to suffer/have a hard time) is a common expression.
제가 사는 곳은 대중교통 출근길이 잘 되어 있어서 차가 필요 없어요.
Where I live, public transportation for commuting is well-developed, so I don't need a car.
대중교통 (public transportation) is a key term.
출근길에 사고가 났다는 소식을 들어서 걱정했어요.
I heard news of an accident on the way to work and was worried.
사고가 나다 (an accident happens) is a set phrase.
매일 아침 출근길에 팟캐스트를 들으면서 하루를 시작해요.
Every morning, I start my day by listening to podcasts on my way to work.
매일 아침 (every morning), -에 (at/on), -면서 (while doing)
출근길이 막혀서 회의에 늦을 뻔했어요.
The commute to work was so congested that I almost missed the meeting.
-이 막히다 (to be blocked/congested), -을 뻔하다 (almost did something)
비가 오는 날에는 출근길이 더 힘들어요.
On rainy days, the journey to work is even harder.
-는 날 (on the day when...), 더 (more)
새로운 출근길을 찾아서 좀 더 일찍 도착할 수 있었어요.
I found a new route to work and was able to arrive a bit earlier.
새로운 (new), -을 찾다 (to find), -을 수 있었다 (was able to)
출근길에 동료를 만나서 같이 걸어갔어요.
I met a colleague on my way to work and we walked together.
-에 (on/at), -을 만나다 (to meet), 같이 (together)
저는 출근길에 대중교통을 이용하는 편이에요.
I tend to use public transportation for my commute to work.
-는 편이다 (to tend to do something), 대중교통 (public transportation)
오늘 출근길에 갑자기 눈이 많이 와서 당황했어요.
Today, it suddenly snowed a lot on my way to work, which surprised me.
갑자기 (suddenly), -이 오다 (to come/fall), 당황하다 (to be flustered/perplexed)
출근길에 커피 한 잔 사서 마시는 게 저의 작은 행복이에요.
Buying and drinking a cup of coffee on my way to work is my small happiness.
한 잔 (one cup), -는 게 (the thing of doing), 작은 (small), 행복 (happiness)
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
출근길에 만났어요.
I met them on my way to work.
출근길이 멀어요.
My commute is long.
출근길에 라디오를 들어요.
I listen to the radio on my way to work.
출근길이 막혀서 늦었어요.
I was late because of traffic on my way to work.
매일 아침 출근길에 커피를 사요.
I buy coffee every morning on my way to work.
출근길에 항상 이 노래를 들어요.
I always listen to this song on my way to work.
버스로 출근길에 한 시간 걸려요.
It takes an hour by bus to get to work.
자전거로 출근길을 줄였어요.
I shortened my commute by bike.
출근길 풍경이 아름다워요.
The scenery on the way to work is beautiful.
퇴근길보다 출근길이 더 좋아요.
I prefer the commute to work over the commute home.
Often Confused With
The way home from work.
The act of going to work.
A general term for the commute.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"출근길에 오르다"
To set off on one's way to work
매일 아침 8시에 출근길에 올라요. (Every morning at 8 AM, I set off on my way to work.)
neutral"출근길이 막히다"
The commute to work is jammed/congested
오늘은 출근길이 너무 막혀서 지각했어요. (Today, the commute was so jammed that I was late.)
neutral"출근길 전쟁"
The 'war' of the commute to work (referring to heavy traffic/crowds)
서울의 출근길 전쟁은 정말 힘들어요. (Seoul's commute 'war' is really tough.)
informal"출근길 동반자"
Commute companion (someone you travel with to work)
저와 제 친구는 매일 출근길 동반자예요. (My friend and I are commute companions every day.)
neutral"출근길 풍경"
Commute scenery
창밖으로 보이는 출근길 풍경이 아름다워요. (The commute scenery visible from the window is beautiful.)
neutral"출근길에 나서다"
To head out on one's way to work
벌써 출근길에 나섰어요? (Have you already headed out on your way to work?)
neutral"출근길을 재촉하다"
To rush one's commute to work
늦을까 봐 출근길을 재촉했어요. (I rushed my commute to work because I might be late.)
neutral"출근길에 마주치다"
To run into someone on the way to work
오늘 출근길에 옛 친구를 마주쳤어요. (Today, I ran into an old friend on my way to work.)
neutral"출근길의 시작"
The start of the commute to work
커피 한 잔과 함께 출근길의 시작을 알렸어요. (I signaled the start of my commute with a cup of coffee.)
neutral"출근길이 멀다"
The commute to work is long/far
우리 집에서 회사까지 출근길이 너무 멀어요. (The commute from my house to the office is too far.)
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar to '출근길' and refers to a similar concept of travel related to work.
'출근길' is the way to work, '퇴근길' is the way home from work.
오늘은 퇴근길에 비가 많이 왔어요. (Today, it rained a lot on the way home from work.)
Very similar in meaning, both relate to going to work.
'출근길' specifically refers to the *route* or *journey*, while '출근' means 'going to work' as an action or the act of starting work.
저는 9시에 출근해요. (I go to work at 9 AM.)
Parallel concept to '출근길' but for students.
'출근길' is for adults going to work, '등교길' is for students going to school.
어린아이들이 등교길에 재잘거려요. (Young children chatter on their way to school.)
Refers to a journey home, which can be similar to the journey home from work.
'출근길' is specifically about going to work. '귀갓길' is a more general term for the way home from anywhere.
밤늦게 귀갓길이 위험할 수 있어요. (Going home late at night can be dangerous.)
Both refer to a commute, and can sometimes be used interchangeably.
'출근길' specifically refers to the journey *to* work. '통근길' is a broader term for the commute, which can encompass both going to and from work, but often emphasizes the daily routine of commuting.
저는 매일 통근길에 책을 읽어요. (I read a book every day on my commute.)
Sentence Patterns
저는 매일 아침 [시간]에 출근길에 오릅니다.
저는 매일 아침 8시에 출근길에 오릅니다. (I start my commute at 8 AM every morning.)
[장소]는 저의 출근길에 있습니다.
지하철역은 저의 출근길에 있습니다. (The subway station is on my way to work.)
출근길에 [무엇]을 하는 것을 좋아합니다.
출근길에 팟캐스트를 듣는 것을 좋아합니다. (I like listening to podcasts on my commute.)
오늘은 출근길이 [형용사]습니다.
오늘은 출근길이 막혔습니다. (The commute was jammed today.)
출근길에 [누구]를 만났습니다.
출근길에 옛 친구를 만났습니다. (I met an old friend on my way to work.)
출근길에 [경험]했습니다.
출근길에 사고를 목격했습니다. (I witnessed an accident on my way to work.)
출근길의 [특징]은 [내용]입니다.
출근길의 가장 큰 어려움은 교통 체증입니다. (The biggest difficulty of the commute is traffic congestion.)
출근길이 [동사]하도록 [노력]합니다.
출근길이 좀 더 편안하도록 일찍 출발하려고 노력합니다. (I try to leave early to make my commute more comfortable.)
How to Use It
출근길 (chulgeungil) literally means 'the road to work'.
You can use it to describe your commute.
For example, if you say '출근길이 막혔어요' (chulgeungiri makyeosseoyo), it means 'My way to work was blocked' or 'The commute was congested'.
It's a common term used in daily conversation.
A common mistake is to try and break it down into '출근' (chulgeun - going to work) and '길' (gil - road) and try to use them separately in the same context. 출근길 is a set phrase. You wouldn't say '출근 길에' if you mean 'on the way to work'. You would use '출근길에' as a single unit.
Another mistake is to confuse it with '퇴근길' (toegeungil), which means 'the way home from work'.
Tips
Literal meaning of 출근길
출근 (chulgeun) means 'going to work' and 길 (gil) means 'road' or 'path'. So, 출근길 literally means 'work-going road'.
Use it to describe your commute
You can use 출근길 to talk about your daily commute to work. For example, 'My 출근길 is long' (저의 출근길이 길어요).
Combine with verbs of movement
Often used with verbs like 막히다 (makhida - to be blocked/congested) or 가다 (gada - to go). 'The 출근길 is blocked' (출근길이 막혀요).
Contrast with 퇴근길
The opposite is 퇴근길 (toeguen-gil), which means 'the route or journey taken to go home from work'. It's good to learn these two together.
Common in weather reports
You'll often hear 출근길 mentioned in weather or traffic reports in Korea. For example, 'It will be cold on the 출근길 tomorrow' (내일 출근길은 춥겠습니다).
Can refer to the time as well
Sometimes 출근길 can also implicitly refer to the time of one's commute. 'During my 출근길, I listen to music' (출근길에 음악을 들어요).
Use with prepositions
You can use it with prepositions like 에 (e - at/on) or 에서 (eseo - in/at/from). 'On the 출근길, I saw my friend' (출근길에 친구를 만났어요).
Everyday context
This is a very common word used in everyday conversation by Koreans. Mastering it will make your Korean sound more natural.
Reflects Korean work culture
The existence of a specific word like 출근길 highlights the importance of the daily work commute in Korean culture.
Figurative use for a journey
While primarily literal, 출근길 can sometimes be used more figuratively to describe a 'journey' or 'process' towards a goal, similar to 'the path to success'.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean and native Korean compound.
Original meaning: 'to go to work' + 'road/path'
KoreanCultural Context
The concept of '출근길' is very prominent in Korean culture due to the high population density and reliance on public transportation in major cities. It often implies the busy, sometimes crowded, commute many Koreans experience daily. There are even common expressions and media that refer to the '출근길 풍경' (chulgeungil punggyeong), meaning 'the scenery/view of the commute to work', highlighting its shared cultural experience.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Talking about your commute.
- 출근길에 보통 지하철을 타요. (I usually take the subway on my way to work.)
- 매일 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀요. (The commute to work is very congested every morning.)
- 출근길에 커피 한 잔 마시는 것을 좋아해요. (I like to drink a cup of coffee on my way to work.)
Describing challenges or experiences during the commute.
- 오늘 출근길에 사고가 있었어요. (There was an accident on my way to work today.)
- 눈이 와서 출근길이 미끄러웠어요. (It snowed, so the way to work was slippery.)
- 출근길에 음악을 들으면서 가요. (I listen to music on my way to work.)
Asking about someone else's commute.
- 출근길은 어떠세요? (How's your commute to work?)
- 출근길에 시간 얼마나 걸려요? (How long does it take you to get to work?)
Talking about habits or routines related to the commute.
- 출근길에 항상 뉴스를 들어요. (I always listen to the news on my way to work.)
- 출근길에 운동을 하기도 해요. (I sometimes exercise on my way to work.)
Comparing different commutes.
- 제 출근길은 당신보다 훨씬 짧아요. (My commute is much shorter than yours.)
- 이전 회사 출근길은 더 길었어요. (The commute to my previous company was longer.)
Conversation Starters
"출근길에 주로 무엇을 하시나요? (What do you usually do on your way to work?)"
"당신의 출근길은 보통 얼마나 걸리나요? (How long does your commute usually take?)"
"출근길에 가장 기억에 남는 일이 있다면 무엇인가요? (What's the most memorable thing that happened on your way to work?)"
"출근길에 스트레스를 줄이는 자신만의 방법이 있나요? (Do you have your own way to reduce stress during your commute?)"
"만약 출근길을 바꿀 수 있다면 어떻게 바꾸고 싶으세요? (If you could change your commute, how would you like to change it?)"
Journal Prompts
오늘 아침 출근길에 무엇을 보고, 듣고, 느꼈는지 자세히 써보세요. (Write in detail about what you saw, heard, and felt on your commute this morning.)
당신의 이상적인 출근길은 어떤 모습일지 상상해서 묘사해보세요. (Imagine and describe what your ideal commute would look like.)
출근길에 만약 시간이 더 주어진다면, 무엇을 하고 싶으신가요? (If you had more time on your commute, what would you like to do?)
출근길이 당신의 하루에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 생각해보세요. (Think about how your commute affects your day.)
출근길에 감사의 마음을 느꼈던 순간이 있다면 언제였나요? (When was a time you felt grateful during your commute?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions출근길 (chul-geun-gil) literally means 'the way to work' or 'commute route'. It refers to the journey someone takes to get from their home to their workplace.
While 'going to work' is a general action, 출근길 specifically emphasizes the path or journey itself. You might talk about what happens on your 출근길, like traffic or seeing friends.
No, 출근길 is strictly for going to a paid job or workplace. For school, you'd use 등굣길 (deung-gyot-gil), and for volunteering, you'd likely just say '봉사하러 가는 길' (bong-sa-ha-reo ga-neun gil – the way to go volunteer).
A common example is '출근길이 막혀요.' (Chul-geun-gil-i mak-hyeo-yo.) This means 'My commute is blocked/there's traffic on my way to work.'
Yes! The opposite of 출근길 is 퇴근길 (toe-geun-gil), which means 'the way home from work' or 'the evening commute'.
Absolutely! You often hear people say things like '출근길에 친구를 만났어요.' (Chul-geun-gil-e chin-gu-reul man-nat-seo-yo.) This means 'I met a friend on my way to work.' Or '출근길에 항상 커피를 마셔요.' (Chul-geun-gil-e hang-sang keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-yo.) meaning 'I always drink coffee on my way to work.'
It's a very common and neutral word, used in both formal and informal contexts. You'll hear it in news reports, conversations with friends, and workplace discussions.
No, 출근길 doesn't specify if you walk, drive, take the bus, or subway. It simply refers to the journey itself, regardless of how you get there. You could say '버스로 출근길' (bus-seu-ro chul-geun-gil - commute by bus) if you wanted to specify.
Yes, you can! For example, '그의 출근길은 정말 길어요.' (Geu-ui chul-geun-gil-eun jeong-mal gil-eo-yo.) means 'His commute is really long.' Or '저의 부모님은 매일 아침 출근길이 복잡해요.' (Jeo-ui bu-mo-nim-eun mae-il a-chim chul-geun-gil-i bok-jap-hae-yo.) - 'My parents' commute is complicated every morning.'
CEFR A2 means that 출근길 is considered a basic vocabulary word that a beginner learner should be able to understand and use in simple sentences. It's an essential word for everyday conversation about routines.
Test Yourself 138 questions
저는 매일 아침 ___ 에 커피를 마셔요.
The sentence means 'I drink coffee every morning on my way to work.' '출근길' means 'the way to work.'
오늘 아침 ___ 이 많이 막혔어요.
The sentence means 'This morning, the way to work was very crowded.' '출근길' fits the context of a crowded route.
저는 ___ 에 음악을 들어요.
The sentence means 'I listen to music on my way to work.' '출근길' is the most suitable option.
매일 아침 저는 ___ 에 버스를 타요.
The sentence means 'Every morning, I take the bus on my way to work.' '출근길' describes the journey.
___ 에 친구를 만났어요.
The sentence means 'I met a friend on my way to work.' '출근길' is a specific time/place for meeting.
우리 아빠는 ___ 에 신문을 읽어요.
The sentence means 'My dad reads the newspaper on his way to work.' '출근길' is where he would typically read it.
Which word describes the path you take to your job?
출근길 specifically refers to the way to work. 퇴근길 is the way home from work, 하굣길 is the way home from school, and 산책길 is a walking path.
My '출근길' is very busy. What does '출근길' mean here?
출근길 means the route or journey taken to go to work.
Choose the Korean word for 'the way to work'.
출근길 is 'the way to work'. 집 is 'home', 학교 is 'school', and 회사 is 'company/workplace'.
출근길 (chulgeungil) means the way home from work.
출근길 means the way to work. The way home from work is 퇴근길 (toegeungil).
When you say '출근길', you are talking about going to your job.
출근길 directly refers to the route or journey taken when going to work.
My 출근길 is long today. This means my path to the grocery store is long.
출근길 refers specifically to the path to work, not to a grocery store.
You are going to work. Write a simple sentence saying 'I am going to work.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 출근합니다.
Write a short sentence saying 'The way to work is far.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
출근길이 멉니다.
Write a sentence saying 'I like my way to work.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 출근길을 좋아해요.
What does the person do every morning?
Read this passage:
안녕하세요. 저는 매일 아침 출근합니다. 제 출근길은 기차역 옆에 있습니다. 아침에 커피를 마시면서 출근길을 걷습니다.
What does the person do every morning?
The passage says '저는 매일 아침 출근합니다.' which means 'I go to work every morning.'
The passage says '저는 매일 아침 출근합니다.' which means 'I go to work every morning.'
How long is Minjun's commute to work?
Read this passage:
민준 씨는 매일 아침 7시에 집에서 나옵니다. 그의 출근길은 차로 30분 걸립니다. 그는 출근길에 음악을 듣습니다.
How long is Minjun's commute to work?
The passage states '그의 출근길은 차로 30분 걸립니다.' meaning 'His way to work takes 30 minutes by car.'
The passage states '그의 출근길은 차로 30분 걸립니다.' meaning 'His way to work takes 30 minutes by car.'
How does Suji go to work?
Read this passage:
수지 씨는 매일 자전거로 출근합니다. 그녀는 출근길에 아름다운 풍경을 봅니다. 그녀는 출근길을 좋아합니다.
How does Suji go to work?
The passage says '수지 씨는 매일 자전거로 출근합니다.' which means 'Suji goes to work by bicycle every day.'
The passage says '수지 씨는 매일 자전거로 출근합니다.' which means 'Suji goes to work by bicycle every day.'
This sentence means 'I met a friend on my way to work.' The correct order is subject (나는), time/place (출근길에), object (친구를), verb (만났다).
This sentence means 'The commute is complicated every day.' The correct order is time (매일), subject (출근길이), adjective (복잡해요).
This sentence means 'He reads a book on his way to work.' The correct order is subject (그는), time/place (출근길에), object (책을), verb (읽어요).
Which word best describes the path you take to your workplace?
출근길 specifically refers to the way to work. 퇴근길 is the way home from work, 하굣길 is the way home from school, and 산책로 is a walking path.
If someone says '오늘 출근길이 너무 막혀서 늦었어요.' (I was late because my commute was so jammed today.), what are they talking about?
출근길 means the way to work. The sentence indicates a delay due to traffic on this specific route.
Which of these phrases correctly uses '출근길'?
출근길 is a noun referring to the route. It's common to use it with the particle -에 (on/at) to indicate an action happening during the commute.
출근길 refers to the journey home from work.
출근길 refers to the journey to work. The journey home from work is 퇴근길.
You can use '출근길' to talk about a road you take to a park.
출근길 specifically refers to the route to work. A road to a park would not be called 출근길.
It is common to say '출근길이 멀다' (The commute is long) to express that the way to work takes a lot of time.
Yes, '출근길이 멀다' is a common expression to describe a long commute to work.
What did I do on my way to work?
Why did he leave home early?
What do I always do on my way to work?
Read this aloud:
출근길에 무슨 일이 있었어요?
Focus: 출근길에
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
당신의 출근길은 보통 얼마나 걸려요?
Focus: 얼마나 걸려요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
출근길이 막히면 정말 스트레스 받아요.
Focus: 스트레스 받아요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Today, the way to work was very congested.' The natural order in Korean is 'Today' (오늘은), 'way to work' (출근길이), 'a lot' (많이), 'was congested' (막혔어요).
This sentence means 'The way to work from our house to the company is short.' The order is 'Our house from company to' (우리 집에서 회사까지), 'way to work' (출근길은), 'is short' (짧아요).
This sentence means 'I walk every day on my way to work.' The order is 'I' (저는), 'every day' (매일), 'on the way to work' (출근길에), 'walk' (걸어요).
저는 매일 아침 혼잡한 ___을(를) 겪어요. (I experience a crowded ___ every morning.)
The sentence describes a daily morning routine to work, so '출근길' (the way to work) is the most appropriate word.
오늘은 비가 와서 ___이(가) 더 힘들었어요. (Today, because it rained, the ___ was even harder.)
Rain often makes the journey to work more difficult, so '출근길' fits the context of difficulty due to weather.
저는 ___에 좋아하는 음악을 들으면서 스트레스를 풀어요. (I relieve stress by listening to my favorite music on my ___.)
Listening to music is a common way to relax during a commute, making '출근길' the suitable choice.
매일 같은 ___에 같은 사람들을 만나요. (I meet the same people on the same ___ every day.)
The sentence implies a routine journey where one might encounter the same individuals, so '출근길' (the way to work) is contextually correct.
그는 ___에 사고가 나서 회사에 늦었어요. (He was late for work because of an accident on his ___.)
Being late for work due to an accident directly relates to the journey to work, thus '출근길' is appropriate.
새로운 ___은(는) 전에보다 훨씬 짧아졌어요. (The new ___ has become much shorter than before.)
A '출근길' (way to work) can be described as becoming shorter, especially with changes in residence or office location.
다음 중 '출근길'과 가장 관련이 깊은 단어는 무엇일까요?
'퇴근'은 일을 마치고 집으로 돌아가는 길을 의미하며, '출근길'과 반대되는 개념으로 가장 밀접한 관련이 있습니다. '학교', '여행', '휴가'는 일과 직접적인 관련이 없습니다.
친구가 '오늘 출근길에 지갑을 잃어버렸어.'라고 말했습니다. 친구가 지갑을 잃어버린 상황으로 가장 적절한 것은?
'출근길'은 회사로 가는 길을 의미하므로, 친구는 회사로 가던 중에 지갑을 잃어버린 것입니다.
다음 대화에서 밑줄 친 부분과 바꿔 쓸 수 있는 단어는? 가: 오늘 아침 ____이 너무 힘들었어요. 나: 왜요? 무슨 일 있었어요?
대화의 흐름상 '출근 시간'은 '출근길'과 함께 사용되어 '출근하는 과정'을 나타낼 수 있습니다. '등교길'은 학교 가는 길, '퇴근길'과 '귀갓길'은 집으로 돌아오는 길을 의미합니다.
'출근길'은 집에서 회사로 가는 길을 의미한다.
'출근길'은 '출근(출근하다: to go to work)'과 '길(길: road, way)'이 합쳐진 단어로, 회사로 가는 길을 뜻합니다.
'출근길'은 주말에 친구들과 여행 가는 길을 말한다.
'출근길'은 직장으로 향하는 길을 의미하며, 친구들과의 여행과는 관련이 없습니다.
한국 사람들은 보통 '출근길'에 대중교통을 이용하는 경우가 많다.
한국의 많은 직장인들은 교통 체증이나 주차 문제 등으로 인해 '출근길'에 지하철이나 버스와 같은 대중교통을 많이 이용합니다.
What is causing stress every morning?
What does the speaker do on the way to work?
Who did the speaker meet on the way to work?
Read this aloud:
당신의 출근길은 어떻습니까?
Focus: 출근길 (chul-geun-gil)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
출근길에 보통 무엇을 하세요?
Focus: 보통 (bo-tong)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
출근길에 가장 좋아하는 시간은 언제인가요?
Focus: 가장 좋아하는 (ga-jang jo-a-ha-neun)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe your typical morning commute (출근길). What do you usually do, and what do you see?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 보통 아침에 지하철로 출근해요. 지하철에서는 책을 읽거나 음악을 들어요. 가끔 창밖을 보면서 생각에 잠기기도 해요. 지하철역에서 회사까지는 걸어가는데, 길에 있는 카페에서 커피를 사 마시는 것을 좋아해요. 출근길이 조금 길지만, 저만의 시간을 가질 수 있어서 좋아요.
Imagine you're running late for work. What might happen on your 출근길 that makes you even later? Write a short paragraph.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오늘 아침에 늦잠을 자서 서둘러 집을 나섰어요. 그런데 버스 정류장에 도착하니 버스가 방금 떠났지 뭐예요. 다음 버스를 기다리는데 교통체증이 심해서 버스가 오지 않았어요. 결국 택시를 잡으려고 했지만, 출근길이라 택시도 잡기 어려웠어요. 회사에 도착하니 벌써 회의가 시작된 후였어요. 정말 아찔한 출근길이었어요.
You've just moved to a new city for work. Describe what your new 출근길 might be like, comparing it to your old one.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
새 도시로 이사 오면서 출근길이 완전히 바뀌었어요. 예전에는 차로 30분 정도 걸렸는데, 지금은 지하철로 1시간 정도 걸려요. 하지만 지하철이 더 편리하고, 창밖으로 보이는 새로운 경치도 좋아요. 예전 출근길은 항상 막혀서 스트레스가 많았는데, 지금은 지하철에서 책도 읽고 여유를 즐길 수 있어서 만족스러워요. 아직은 조금 낯설지만, 곧 익숙해지겠죠?
이 글에서 서울의 출근길에 대한 설명으로 옳은 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
서울의 출근길은 항상 사람들로 북적입니다. 특히 지하철은 아침마다 빈자리를 찾아보기 힘들 정도로 붐벼요. 많은 직장인들이 이어폰을 끼고 음악을 듣거나 스마트폰을 보며 시간을 보내죠. 어떤 사람들은 지하철 안에서 간단하게 아침 식사를 하기도 합니다. 이렇게 바쁜 출근길 풍경은 서울의 활기찬 아침을 보여주는 모습 중 하나입니다.
이 글에서 서울의 출근길에 대한 설명으로 옳은 것은 무엇입니까?
지하철이 붐비고 사람들이 바쁘게 움직이는 모습이 서울의 활기찬 아침을 보여준다고 언급되어 있습니다.
지하철이 붐비고 사람들이 바쁘게 움직이는 모습이 서울의 활기찬 아침을 보여준다고 언급되어 있습니다.
이 글의 필자가 오늘 출근길에 겪은 일은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
오늘 아침 출근길에 재미있는 일이 있었어요. 버스 안에서 어떤 학생이 가방을 열어보니 고양이가 나온 거예요! 모든 승객들이 깜짝 놀랐지만, 고양이가 너무 귀여워서 다들 웃었어요. 운전기사 아저씨도 잠시 버스를 세우고 고양이를 보고 웃었답니다. 덕분에 지루할 수 있는 출근길이 즐거워졌어요.
이 글의 필자가 오늘 출근길에 겪은 일은 무엇입니까?
필자는 버스 안에서 고양이가 나온 것을 보고 즐거웠다고 이야기하고 있습니다.
필자는 버스 안에서 고양이가 나온 것을 보고 즐거웠다고 이야기하고 있습니다.
이 사람은 어떤 방식으로 출근하는 것을 가장 좋아합니까?
Read this passage:
저는 자전거를 타고 출근합니다. 매일 아침 한강변을 따라 자전거를 타면 기분이 상쾌해져요. 차가 막힐 걱정도 없고, 운동도 되어서 건강에도 좋죠. 가끔 아침 일찍 출근해서 여유롭게 경치를 감상하기도 합니다. 물론 비가 오거나 눈이 오는 날에는 지하철을 이용하지만, 맑은 날에는 자전거 출근길이 최고라고 생각해요.
이 사람은 어떤 방식으로 출근하는 것을 가장 좋아합니까?
맑은 날에는 자전거 출근길이 최고라고 말하며, 자전거 출근의 장점을 많이 언급하고 있습니다.
맑은 날에는 자전거 출근길이 최고라고 말하며, 자전거 출근의 장점을 많이 언급하고 있습니다.
매일 아침 복잡한 ___에도 불구하고, 저는 팟캐스트를 들으며 즐거움을 찾습니다. (Even on the busy ___ every morning, I find joy listening to podcasts.)
'출근길'은 '출근하는 길'을 의미하며, 아침에 직장으로 가는 여정을 나타냅니다. (Chulgeungil means 'the way to work' and refers to the morning journey to the workplace.)
저는 보통 ___에 커피를 사서 마시면서 하루를 시작합니다. (I usually buy coffee on my ___ and drink it, starting my day.)
문맥상 아침에 직장으로 가는 길에 커피를 사는 것이 자연스러우므로 '출근길'이 적절합니다. (Given the context, buying coffee on the way to work in the morning is natural, so 'chulgeungil' is appropriate.)
지하철이 너무 붐벼서 ___이 매일 힘듭니다. (The subway is too crowded, so my ___ is difficult every day.)
지하철이 붐비는 상황은 주로 출근 시간에 발생하므로 '출근길'이 가장 적합합니다. (Crowded subways typically occur during commuting hours, so 'chulgeungil' is the most suitable.)
저는 ___에 중요한 뉴스를 확인하거나 이메일을 정리합니다. (I check important news or organize emails on my ___.)
직장 관련 활동인 뉴스 확인이나 이메일 정리는 주로 직장에 가는 도중, 즉 '출근길'에 이루어질 수 있습니다. (Work-related activities like checking news or organizing emails are typically done on the way to work, i.e., 'chulgeungil'.)
오늘은 날씨가 좋아서 자전거로 ___을 했습니다. (The weather is nice today, so I went on my ___ by bicycle.)
자전거로 '출근길'을 간다는 것은 날씨가 좋을 때 운동 삼아 할 수 있는 활동입니다. (Going on one's 'chulgeungil' by bicycle is an activity that can be done for exercise when the weather is nice.)
사고 때문에 ___이 많이 지연돼서 회의에 늦었습니다. (Due to an accident, my ___ was greatly delayed, so I was late for the meeting.)
회의에 늦은 것은 '출근길'이 사고로 인해 지연되었기 때문이라는 문맥이 가장 자연스럽습니다. (The context that one was late for a meeting because their 'chulgeungil' was delayed by an accident is the most natural.)
다음 중 '출근길'의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
'출근길'은 '출근(work/commute)'과 '길(road/way)'이 합쳐져 '직장으로 가는 길'을 의미합니다.
친구가 '오늘 출근길에 지갑을 잃어버렸어'라고 말했습니다. 이 문장의 의미는 무엇입니까?
'출근길'은 직장으로 가는 길을 뜻합니다.
다음 대화에서 밑줄 친 '출근길'이 가장 자연스럽게 사용된 문장은 무엇입니까? A: 오늘 아침 어땠어? B: _______________________.
'출근길'은 길의 상황(막히다)과 함께 사용될 때 자연스럽습니다. 영화를 보거나 숙제를 하는 것은 이동하는 동안 하기 어려운 활동입니다.
'출근길'은 '퇴근길'과 반대되는 의미로 사용될 수 있다.
'출근길'은 '출근(go to work)'과 '길(way)'의 합성어이며, '퇴근길'은 '퇴근(leave work)'과 '길'의 합성어로 서로 반대되는 상황의 길을 나타냅니다.
주말에 놀러 갈 때 '출근길'이라는 표현을 쓸 수 있다.
'출근길'은 직장으로 가는 길을 의미하므로, 주말에 놀러 가는 상황에는 적절하지 않습니다.
교통 체증은 '출근길'에 흔히 겪는 문제 중 하나이다.
많은 사람들이 출근하는 시간에 도로에 차량이 많아 교통 체증은 출근길의 흔한 문제입니다.
The speaker is talking about their morning commute.
The speaker mentions listening to something on their way to work.
The speaker found something new on their way to work.
Read this aloud:
출근길에 어떤 교통수단을 이용하세요?
Focus: 출근길에
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
당신의 출근길에서 가장 좋아하는 점은 무엇인가요?
Focus: 가장 좋아하는 점
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
만약 출근길이 없어진다면, 당신의 삶은 어떻게 바뀔까요?
Focus: 출근길이 없어진다면
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe your ideal '출근길' (way to work) in 2-3 Korean sentences. What would it be like? What would you see or do?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저의 이상적인 출근길은 차가 막히지 않고 상쾌한 바람을 맞으며 걷는 길이에요. 아름다운 풍경을 보면서 좋아하는 음악을 듣고 싶어요. 이렇게 여유로운 출근길이라면 하루를 기분 좋게 시작할 수 있을 것 같아요.
Imagine you are running late for work. Write a short message (2-3 sentences) to your boss explaining your situation, using '출근길'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
부장님, 죄송합니다. 지금 출근길에 심한 교통체증이 있어서 조금 늦을 것 같습니다. 최대한 빨리 도착하도록 하겠습니다. 양해 부탁드립니다.
Write a short diary entry (2-3 sentences) about something interesting or unexpected that happened on your '출근길' today.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오늘 출근길에 우연히 옛 친구를 만났어요. 정말 예상치 못한 만남이라서 깜짝 놀랐습니다. 잠시 이야기를 나눴는데, 덕분에 출근길이 더욱 즐거웠어요.
이 글에 따르면, 서울 직장인들이 출근길에 주로 하는 활동은 무엇입요?
Read this passage:
서울의 출근길은 항상 복잡하다. 특히 월요일 아침에는 지하철과 버스 모두 사람들로 가득 찬다. 많은 직장인들이 이 시간을 효율적으로 사용하기 위해 책을 읽거나 영어 공부를 하기도 한다. 하지만 때로는 너무 지쳐서 아무것도 하지 못하고 창밖만 바라보기도 한다.
이 글에 따르면, 서울 직장인들이 출근길에 주로 하는 활동은 무엇입요?
지문에서 '많은 직장인들이 이 시간을 효율적으로 사용하기 위해 책을 읽거나 영어 공부를 하기도 한다.'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
지문에서 '많은 직장인들이 이 시간을 효율적으로 사용하기 위해 책을 읽거나 영어 공부를 하기도 한다.'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
김민수 씨가 자전거로 출근하는 것을 좋아하는 주된 이유는 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
김민수 씨는 자전거로 출근하는 것을 좋아한다. 그의 출근길은 강변을 따라 이어져 있어서 아름다운 풍경을 감상할 수 있다. 그는 매일 아침 상쾌한 공기를 마시며 운동도 하고 스트레스도 해소한다. 하지만 비가 오는 날에는 대중교통을 이용해야 해서 조금 아쉽다.
김민수 씨가 자전거로 출근하는 것을 좋아하는 주된 이유는 무엇입니까?
지문에서 '그의 출근길은 강변을 따라 이어져 있어서 아름다운 풍경을 감상할 수 있다. 그는 매일 아침 상쾌한 공기를 마시며 운동도 하고 스트레스도 해소한다.'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
지문에서 '그의 출근길은 강변을 따라 이어져 있어서 아름다운 풍경을 감상할 수 있다. 그는 매일 아침 상쾌한 공기를 마시며 운동도 하고 스트레스도 해소한다.'라고 언급하고 있습니다.
이 설문조사에 따르면, 한국 직장인들이 출근길에 보내는 평균 시간은 얼마입니까?
Read this passage:
최근 한 설문조사에 따르면, 한국 직장인들은 평균적으로 하루에 약 1시간 30분을 출근길에 보낸다고 한다. 이 시간은 대도시일수록 더 길어지는 경향이 있다. 긴 출근길은 피로도를 높이고 개인 시간을 줄이는 주된 원인 중 하나로 꼽힌다.
이 설문조사에 따르면, 한국 직장인들이 출근길에 보내는 평균 시간은 얼마입니까?
지문에서 '한국 직장인들은 평균적으로 하루에 약 1시간 30분을 출근길에 보낸다고 한다.'라고 명시되어 있습니다.
지문에서 '한국 직장인들은 평균적으로 하루에 약 1시간 30분을 출근길에 보낸다고 한다.'라고 명시되어 있습니다.
매일 아침 ______________이 너무 길어서 피곤해요.
The sentence talks about being tired because of the long journey every morning, which implies the commute to work.
저는 ______________에 항상 새로운 음악을 들으며 기분 전환을 해요.
Listening to new music for a change of mood usually happens on the daily commute to work.
오늘 ______________에 사고가 나서 길이 많이 막혔습니다.
A traffic accident blocking the road is a common occurrence during the morning commute to work.
그는 바쁜 ______________에도 불구하고 항상 웃는 얼굴로 사람들을 대합니다.
The sentence implies a routine, busy journey where someone maintains a cheerful demeanor, aligning with '출근길'.
대중교통을 이용하면 ______________ 스트레스를 줄일 수 있습니다.
Using public transportation helps reduce stress related to the daily commute to work.
우리는 ______________에 필요한 시간을 고려하여 일찍 출발해야 해요.
Considering the necessary time and departing early is crucial for the journey to work.
다음 중 '출근길'의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
'출근길'은 직장으로 향하는 도중을 의미합니다.
아침 '출근길'에 주로 볼 수 있는 풍경은 무엇입니까?
출근 시간에는 많은 사람들이 직장으로 향하기 때문에 대중교통이 붐비고 직장인들이 바쁘게 움직이는 모습을 볼 수 있습니다.
김 대리는 매일 아침 '출근길'에 졸음운전을 할 뻔했다. 이 문장에서 '출근길'이 시사하는 바는 무엇입니까?
졸음운전을 할 뻔했다는 것은 김 대리가 출근길에 매우 피곤하고 힘들었음을 의미합니다.
'출근길'은 항상 즐겁고 여유로운 시간이다.
출근길은 주로 바쁘고 피곤한 경우가 많으며, 교통 체증 등으로 스트레스를 받을 수도 있습니다.
아침 '출근길'에는 신선한 공기를 마시며 산책하는 사람들이 많다.
출근길은 주로 정해진 경로를 따라 직장으로 이동하는 시간이며, 많은 사람들이 바쁘게 움직입니다.
'출근길'에 음악을 듣거나 팟캐스트를 듣는 것은 흔한 일이다.
많은 사람들이 출근길의 지루함을 달래기 위해 음악이나 팟캐스트를 듣습니다.
The commute to work is very stressful due to traffic.
Listening to the radio on the way to work is part of my daily routine.
The heavy snow made the commute twice as long as usual.
Read this aloud:
오늘 아침 출근길에 어떤 특별한 일이 있었나요?
Focus: 출근길에
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
당신은 출근길에 주로 무엇을 하나요?
Focus: 출근길에 주로
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
출근길 교통 체증을 줄이기 위한 아이디어가 있나요?
Focus: 교통 체증을 줄이기
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Describe a common challenge you or others face during their 출근길 (commute to work) in Korea, considering potential issues like public transport, traffic, or weather. Use at least two complete sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
한국에서는 지하철이 붐벼서 출근길이 매우 힘들 때가 많습니다. 특히 비가 오거나 눈이 오는 날에는 교통 체증이 심해져서 더 불편합니다.
Imagine you are running late for work. Write a short text message (2-3 sentences) to your boss explaining the situation using '출근길' in your message.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
부장님, 죄송합니다. 출근길에 갑자기 교통 사고가 나서 회사에 조금 늦을 것 같습니다. 최대한 빨리 가겠습니다.
Write about a pleasant or memorable experience you've had on your 출근길, perhaps something you saw, heard, or someone you met. Use at least two complete sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
어느 날 출근길에 라디오에서 제가 가장 좋아하는 노래가 나와서 정말 기분이 좋았습니다. 덕분에 하루를 활기차게 시작할 수 있었습니다.
위 글의 내용으로 보아, 서울의 출근길에 대한 설명으로 가장 적절한 것은?
Read this passage:
서울의 출근길은 항상 전쟁터와 같습니다. 특히 월요일 아침에는 지하철 안이 발 디딜 틈 없이 붐비고, 도로 위 차량들도 거북이걸음입니다. 하지만 이런 복잡함 속에서도 사람들은 각자의 방식으로 하루를 준비하며 출근길을 헤쳐 나갑니다. 어떤 이들은 독서를 하고, 어떤 이들은 뉴스를 들으며 시간을 보냅니다.
위 글의 내용으로 보아, 서울의 출근길에 대한 설명으로 가장 적절한 것은?
지하철이 붐비고 도로 위 차량이 거북이걸음이라는 표현은 서울의 출근길이 매우 복잡하고 혼잡하다는 것을 나타냅니다.
지하철이 붐비고 도로 위 차량이 거북이걸음이라는 표현은 서울의 출근길이 매우 복잡하고 혼잡하다는 것을 나타냅니다.
박 과장이 출근길을 보내는 방식에 대한 설명으로 옳은 것은?
Read this passage:
박 과장은 매일 아침 7시에 집을 나서서 한 시간 동안 출근길에 오른다. 그는 이 시간을 활용하여 팟캐스트를 듣거나 어학 공부를 한다. 때로는 차창 밖 풍경을 보며 잠시 생각에 잠기기도 한다. 그는 출근길이 단순히 직장으로 가는 이동 시간이 아니라, 자신을 위한 소중한 시간이라고 생각한다.
박 과장이 출근길을 보내는 방식에 대한 설명으로 옳은 것은?
박 과장은 팟캐스트를 듣거나 어학 공부를 하며 출근길을 '자신을 위한 소중한 시간'으로 활용한다고 언급했습니다.
박 과장은 팟캐스트를 듣거나 어학 공부를 하며 출근길을 '자신을 위한 소중한 시간'으로 활용한다고 언급했습니다.
긴 출근길이 직장인에게 미치는 영향과 관련하여 이 글이 전달하고자 하는 핵심 내용은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 긴 출근길은 직장인의 스트레스 수준을 높이고 전반적인 행복감을 감소시키는 요인으로 작용한다고 합니다. 하지만 일부 직장인들은 출근길을 운동이나 명상 등으로 활용하여 스트레스를 관리하고 있습니다. 결국 출근길을 어떻게 활용하느냐에 따라 그 의미가 달라질 수 있습니다.
긴 출근길이 직장인에게 미치는 영향과 관련하여 이 글이 전달하고자 하는 핵심 내용은 무엇입니까?
긴 출근길이 스트레스를 높이지만, 일부 직장인들은 운동이나 명상으로 스트레스를 관리한다고 언급하며, 출근길의 활용 방식에 따라 의미가 달라질 수 있다고 강조합니다.
긴 출근길이 스트레스를 높이지만, 일부 직장인들은 운동이나 명상으로 스트레스를 관리한다고 언급하며, 출근길의 활용 방식에 따라 의미가 달라질 수 있다고 강조합니다.
매일 아침 복잡한 ___ 속에서 새로운 하루를 시작합니다.
The sentence talks about starting a new day in the morning, which aligns with going to work. '퇴근길' is the way home from work, '산책길' is a walking path, and '등교길' is the way to school.
그녀는 항상 ___에 커피 한 잔을 사 마십니다.
Buying coffee before work is a common routine for many people, making '출근길' the most suitable option. '점심시간' is lunch time, '휴식시간' is break time, and '잠자리' refers to a sleeping place.
예상치 못한 사고로 ___이 많이 지체되었습니다.
An unexpected accident would most likely delay one's '출근길' (commute). '휴가' is vacation, '식사' is a meal, and '회의' is a meeting, none of which are directly 'delayed' in this context.
어젯밤 눈이 많이 와서 아침 ___이 걱정됩니다.
Heavy snow often impacts the '출근길' (commute) in the morning. '소풍' is a picnic, '여행' is a trip, and '파티' is a party, which are less likely to be directly affected by snow in this context.
저는 주로 ___에 영어 회화 앱을 이용합니다.
Using a language learning app during the '출근길' (commute) is a common way to utilize travel time efficiently. The other options are times of day but not specifically a '길' (route/way).
오늘 아침 ___에서 친구를 우연히 만났어요.
It's common to run into acquaintances or friends during one's '출근길' (commute). While one might meet friends in a market, department store, or park, the context of '아침' (morning) and a routine journey makes '출근길' the most natural fit.
Which of the following best describes '출근길'?
'출근길' specifically refers to the route or journey one takes to commute to their workplace.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses '출근길'.
The sentence '저는 매일 아침 출근길에 커피를 삽니다.' appropriately uses '출근길' to describe the journey to work.
What is a common activity associated with '출근길'?
Traffic jams are a very common occurrence during the commute to work, making 'getting stuck in traffic' a frequent activity or experience on the '출근길'.
'출근길' can refer to the path taken when leaving work to go home.
'출근길' specifically means the way to work. The way home from work is '퇴근길'.
If someone says '출근길이 막혀요,' they mean their commute to work is congested.
'막히다' means to be blocked or congested, so '출근길이 막혀요' directly translates to the commute to work being congested.
You would typically use '출근길' to describe a leisurely stroll in the park.
'출근길' is specifically for the journey to work. A leisurely stroll in the park would not be described as '출근길'.
The commute to work is very congested every morning, causing a lot of stress.
I always start my day by listening to the radio on my way to work.
On snowy days, you really need to be careful on your way to work.
Read this aloud:
출근길에 무슨 일이 있었는지 이야기해 주세요.
Focus: 출근길에
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
당신의 이상적인 출근길은 어떤 모습인가요?
Focus: 이상적인 출근길
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
한국의 출근길 문화에 대해 아는 것을 설명해 보세요.
Focus: 한국의 출근길 문화
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes the routine of listening to podcasts on the way to work. '출근길에' means 'on the way to work'.
This sentence talks about the commute being longer due to traffic congestion. '출근길이' refers to the commute itself.
This sentence describes a habitual action of buying coffee on the way to work. '출근길에' means 'on the way to work'.
/ 138 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
출근길 describes the journey you make every day to get to your job.
- Literally means 'going to work road.'
- Refers to the act or path of commuting to work.
- Used in daily conversations about one's commute.
Literal meaning of 출근길
출근 (chulgeun) means 'going to work' and 길 (gil) means 'road' or 'path'. So, 출근길 literally means 'work-going road'.
Use it to describe your commute
You can use 출근길 to talk about your daily commute to work. For example, 'My 출근길 is long' (저의 출근길이 길어요).
Combine with verbs of movement
Often used with verbs like 막히다 (makhida - to be blocked/congested) or 가다 (gada - to go). 'The 출근길 is blocked' (출근길이 막혀요).
Contrast with 퇴근길
The opposite is 퇴근길 (toeguen-gil), which means 'the route or journey taken to go home from work'. It's good to learn these two together.
Example
매일 아침 출근길이 너무 막혀요.
Related Content
More work words
주 5일제
A2A system where one works five days a week, typically Monday to Friday.
결근
A2Absence from work; not being present at work.
결근하다
A2To be absent from work.
추상적이다
A2To be abstract.
출입증
A2ID card, access card.
회계
B1The systematic recording and reporting of financial transactions.
경리
A2Accounting or bookkeeping, managing financial records.
업적
B1A notable achievement or accomplishment.
적극적이다
A2To be active, to be proactive.
적극적으로
B1In an active, proactive, or enthusiastic manner.
