Explanation at your level:
A 집들이 is a party at a new house. You invite friends to see your new home. You eat food and have fun together!
When you move to a new place, you have a 집들이. It is a housewarming party. Friends come to visit and bring gifts to help you in your new home.
집들이 is the Korean term for a housewarming party. It is a social gathering where the host introduces their new living space to friends and family. It is a very common cultural tradition in Korea.
The term 집들이 encompasses more than just a party; it is a ritual of settling into a new environment. By hosting guests, the owner 'activates' the home, making it feel lived-in and welcoming through shared meals and conversation.
In a sociological sense, 집들이 functions as a communal validation of a new domestic space. It serves to integrate the individual into their new neighborhood or social circle, reinforcing interpersonal ties through the act of hospitality.
Etymologically, 집들이 reflects the historical importance of community in Korean society. It is a linguistic marker of transition, signifying the completion of a move and the beginning of a new chapter, often accompanied by specific gift-giving customs that carry symbolic weight.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A party for a new home.
- Common in Korea and the West.
- Usually involves gifts.
- A way to welcome friends.
The word 집들이 (jip-deul-i) is a quintessential part of Korean culture. It literally translates to 'bringing the house,' but in practice, it means a housewarming party.
When someone moves into a new home, they host this event to show off their new space. It is a warm, friendly way to break in a new living environment and share joy with loved ones. You might hear people say, 'We are having a 집들이 this weekend!'
The term comes from the Korean words jip (house) and deul-i (bringing/entering). Historically, the tradition was about 'bringing' the spirit of the house to life through the presence of guests.
In the past, moving was considered a major life event that required spiritual protection. By inviting neighbors and friends, the host ensured the home was filled with positive energy and laughter, which was believed to ward off bad luck.
You use 집들이 primarily in social contexts. It is very common to say '집들이를 하다' (to have a housewarming party) or '집들이에 초대하다' (to invite someone to a housewarming).
It is perfectly acceptable in both casual and semi-formal settings. Whether you are a student or a colleague, if you move, you host a 집들이 to maintain social bonds.
1. 집들이 선물: A housewarming gift. 2. 집들이 음식: The food served at the party. 3. 집들이 초대: A housewarming invitation. 4. 집들이를 가다: To go to a housewarming party. 5. 집들이를 마치다: To finish hosting the party.
The word is a standard Korean noun. In English, it is treated as a singular countable noun. Pronunciation involves a soft 'j' sound, followed by a crisp 'p', and a light 'ee' ending.
Stress is generally even across the syllables. It rhymes loosely with 'truly' or 'coolly' in terms of the final vowel sound.
Fun Fact
Historically, guests brought firewood to keep the house warm.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'house' + 'warming'
Clear 'r' sound in warming
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'w'
- Swallowing the 's'
- Stress on the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read.
Simple to write.
Easy to say.
Clear sounds.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
The housewarming is fun.
Verb collocations
Throw a party.
Articles
A housewarming.
Examples by Level
I have a housewarming party.
집들이를 해요.
Simple present tense.
I am going to a housewarming party today.
Did you enjoy the housewarming party?
Please come to my housewarming party.
We bought a gift for the housewarming party.
The housewarming party was very fun.
Who is hosting the housewarming party?
I need to prepare for the housewarming party.
She invited me to her housewarming party.
The housewarming party was a great way to meet the neighbors.
We served traditional food at our housewarming party.
Are you planning to have a housewarming party after you move?
He brought laundry detergent as a housewarming party gift.
The housewarming party lasted until late at night.
Hosting a housewarming party can be quite stressful.
I felt very welcome at their housewarming party.
We played games during the housewarming party.
A traditional housewarming party is essential for settling into a new community.
Despite the small space, the housewarming party was incredibly lively.
She prepared a lavish spread for her housewarming party.
Housewarming party etiquette suggests bringing a practical gift.
I was honored to be invited to their first housewarming party.
The housewarming party served as a perfect introduction to their new life.
Organizing a housewarming party requires careful planning.
The atmosphere at the housewarming party was warm and inviting.
The housewarming party functioned as a symbolic consecration of the new residence.
Her housewarming party was a sophisticated affair with curated music and fine dining.
The housewarming party allowed them to re-establish their social network in the city.
Attending a housewarming party is a cultural expectation in many Korean households.
The housewarming party provided a much-needed break from the exhaustion of moving.
She meticulously planned every detail of her housewarming party.
The housewarming party was an exercise in hospitality and grace.
A housewarming party is a rite of passage for many young professionals.
The housewarming party, or 'jipdeuli', is an indelible feature of the Korean domestic experience.
Beyond mere celebration, the housewarming party acts as a catalyst for social cohesion.
The housewarming party is a manifestation of the host's desire to share their good fortune.
One cannot underestimate the cultural significance of the housewarming party in Korea.
The housewarming party serves as a bridge between the old home and the new.
Her housewarming party was a testament to her vibrant social life.
The housewarming party is a nuanced social performance of hospitality.
To host a housewarming party is to invite the community into one's private sphere.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"break in the house"
To use a new place for the first time.
Let's break in the house with a party!
casual"welcome home"
Greeting someone to their new place.
Welcome home, let's celebrate!
neutral"open house"
A party where people can drop in.
It's an open house style party.
neutral"house warming"
The act of making a house feel warm.
The party provided the house warming.
neutral"welcome wagon"
People who welcome a new neighbor.
The welcome wagon arrived with cookies.
casual"new beginnings"
Starting a new phase of life.
Cheers to new beginnings!
formalEasily Confused
Both involve people in a house.
Open house is for selling or drop-ins.
We are having an open house to sell the place.
Both involve food.
Dinner party is just for food.
We are having a dinner party.
Both are parties.
House party is general.
It was a wild house party.
Both involve moving.
Moving party is for helping move boxes.
Come to my moving party to help me pack.
Sentence Patterns
I am having a housewarming on [day].
I am having a housewarming on Saturday.
Please come to my housewarming.
Please come to my housewarming.
Thank you for the housewarming gift.
Thank you for the housewarming gift.
We are throwing a housewarming for our new place.
We are throwing a housewarming for our new place.
The housewarming was a wonderful way to celebrate.
The housewarming was a wonderful way to celebrate.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
House-entering is not a standard English term.
We 'have' or 'throw' a party, we don't 'do' it.
Cultural expectation.
Any new home applies.
Usually a casual event.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your new housewarming party.
Native usage
Use 'throw' a housewarming.
Cultural insight
Gifts are key.
Grammar shortcut
It's a noun.
Say it right
Clear 'w' sound.
Don't say 'do'
Say 'have'.
Did you know?
Firewood origin.
Study smart
Use in sentences.
Social tip
Always RSVP.
Word roots
House + Warming.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
House + Warming = Hot house party!
Visual Association
A house with a fire inside and people dancing.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your dream housewarming party.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: The literal warming of a house with fire.
Cultural Context
Be aware of gift-giving customs in different cultures.
Common in the US/UK, but less ritualized than in Korea.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Moving into a new home
- I moved in!
- Come visit!
- Housewarming soon!
Inviting friends
- Can you come?
- Save the date!
- It will be fun!
Giving gifts
- Here is a gift.
- Hope you like it.
- Best wishes!
Meeting neighbors
- Nice to meet you.
- Welcome to the area.
- Let's be friends.
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever hosted a housewarming?"
"What is the best housewarming gift you have received?"
"Are housewarmings common in your country?"
"What food would you serve at a housewarming?"
"How do you feel about moving to a new place?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your ideal housewarming party.
Write about a time you moved to a new home.
What gifts would you bring to a friend's housewarming?
Why are housewarmings important for community?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is polite.
No, always wait for an invite.
Practical items.
No, renters do it too.
Usually a few hours.
Depends on the host.
Ask the host first.
Often, yes.
Test Yourself
I am having a ___ party.
It is a party for a new house.
What do you bring to a housewarming?
Gifts are standard.
A housewarming is for a new job.
It is for a new home.
Word
Meaning
Standard party roles.
The housewarming is a party.
They decided to ___ a housewarming.
Throw is the verb for parties.
Which word is synonymous?
Inauguration means starting something new.
Housewarmings are always formal.
Usually informal.
Word
Meaning
Academic synonyms.
A housewarming is a celebration of the new home.
Score: /10
Summary
A housewarming is a celebratory event meant to welcome friends into your new home.
- A party for a new home.
- Common in Korea and the West.
- Usually involves gifts.
- A way to welcome friends.
Memory Palace
Imagine your new housewarming party.
Native usage
Use 'throw' a housewarming.
Cultural insight
Gifts are key.
Grammar shortcut
It's a noun.
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