Explanation at your level:
The 지붕 is the top of a house. It keeps you dry when it rains. You see it every day when you walk outside. It is the 'hat' of the building.
A 지붕 is the roof of a building. We use this word when talking about houses or sheds. For example, 'The cat is on the 지붕.' It is a very common word in daily life.
The 지붕 is the structural covering of a building. It protects the interior from weather. You might use this word when discussing home maintenance or describing the architecture of a city.
Beyond its literal meaning, 지붕 is used in various contexts. It can refer to the 'roof' of a car or even metaphorically to the upper limit of something. Understanding its usage in construction is key for intermediate learners.
In advanced contexts, 지붕 can be used to describe architectural styles or in metaphorical expressions regarding shelter and protection. It is a fundamental term that appears in literature and technical manuals alike.
Mastery of 지붕 involves understanding its historical significance in Korean architecture, such as the difference between giwa (tiled) and choga (thatched) roofs. It is a word that connects modern construction to traditional heritage.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 지붕 means roof.
- It is the external covering of a building.
- It protects against weather.
- It is different from a ceiling (천장).
When we talk about a 지붕 (roof), we are referring to the very top layer of a building. Think of it as the protective lid for your home. It is designed to keep the interior space safe from the elements like wind, rain, and sunlight.
In architecture, the 지붕 is not just functional; it is a major design element. Different cultures have developed unique styles, from flat tops in dry climates to steep, pointed shapes in snowy regions. It is the part of the house that literally keeps a roof over your head!
The Korean word 지붕 has deep roots in the history of Korean housing. Historically, the term evolved from older linguistic forms that described the 'covering' of a dwelling. In traditional Korean architecture, the 지붕 was often made of straw (choga) or clay tiles (giwa).
The evolution of this word reflects the technological advancements in construction. As Korean society moved from simple huts to complex tiled-roof houses, the word became a standard term for any overhead structural covering. It is fascinating to see how a simple noun carries the weight of centuries of building evolution.
You will hear 지붕 used in both everyday conversation and technical construction talk. It is a very neutral term. You might say 'the roof is leaking' (지붕이 샌다) or 'the roof is steep' (지붕이 가파르다).
Common collocations include 지붕을 고치다 (to fix the roof) or 지붕을 덮다 (to cover the roof). It is used across all registers, from casual chats about home repairs to formal architectural reports. It is a staple word in the Korean language.
While 지붕 is a concrete noun, it appears in several cultural expressions. 1. 지붕을 뚫을 기세다: To be so high that it would pierce the roof (used for rising prices). 2. 지붕 밑에 살다: To live under the same roof. 3. 지붕을 얹다: To put a roof on (often used metaphorically for finishing a project). 4. 지붕 위의 고양이: A cat on a hot tin roof (a common trope). 5. 지붕 없는 집: A house without a roof (meaning something is incomplete or exposed).
지붕 is a standard noun. In Korean, it does not change form for plurality like English nouns do. You simply add a counter or context to indicate quantity. The pronunciation is straightforward: 'ji' like in 'jeep' and 'bung' with a soft 'u' sound.
It is a two-syllable word with a flat stress pattern in Korean. It rhymes with words like 기둥 (pillar) in terms of its structural importance in a sentence. Remember to keep your pronunciation clear on the 'ng' sound at the end!
Fun Fact
Historically, the roof was the most expensive part of a house to build.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'jee-boong'
Sounds like 'jee-boong'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ng' as 'n'
- Shortening the 'u' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Subject Particles
지붕이
Object Particles
지붕을
Location Particles
지붕에
Examples by Level
지붕이 높아요.
The roof is high.
Subject + adjective.
지붕에 새가 있어요.
There is a bird on the roof.
Location particle '에'.
지붕을 보세요.
Look at the roof.
Object particle '을'.
지붕이 예뻐요.
The roof is pretty.
Simple description.
지붕은 빨간색이에요.
The roof is red.
Topic particle '은'.
지붕이 튼튼해요.
The roof is strong.
Adjective usage.
지붕 아래에 있어요.
It is under the roof.
Spatial relationship.
지붕이 커요.
The roof is big.
Size description.
지붕을 고쳐야 해요.
지붕에서 비가 새요.
지붕 모양이 특이해요.
지붕 위에 눈이 쌓였어요.
지붕을 새로 칠했어요.
지붕이 무너졌어요.
지붕 색깔이 마음에 들어요.
지붕을 덮는 재료가 중요해요.
전통 가옥의 지붕은 아름답습니다.
지붕의 경사가 가파릅니다.
지붕 위에 태양광 패널을 설치했어요.
지붕 수리 비용이 많이 들었습니다.
지붕이 낮아서 답답해요.
지붕을 통해 빛이 들어와요.
지붕 위로 연기가 올라옵니다.
지붕의 구조를 확인해야 합니다.
지붕의 단열 처리가 완벽합니다.
그 집은 지붕이 독특한 곡선을 이룹니다.
지붕을 보수하는 작업이 시작되었습니다.
지붕 위에서 바라보는 풍경이 좋습니다.
지붕의 무게를 견딜 수 있는 기둥이 필요합니다.
지붕이 낡아서 비가 샙니다.
지붕을 교체하는 것은 큰 공사입니다.
지붕의 재질은 기와입니다.
지붕의 건축 양식은 시대상을 반영합니다.
지붕을 덮은 이끼가 세월을 말해줍니다.
지붕의 하중을 분산시키는 기술이 중요합니다.
지붕 위로 쏟아지는 별빛이 아름답습니다.
지붕을 뚫고 솟아오른 굴뚝이 인상적입니다.
지붕의 곡선미는 한국 건축의 정수입니다.
지붕을 덮는 기와를 한 장씩 쌓았습니다.
지붕의 유지 보수는 건물의 수명을 결정합니다.
지붕의 기하학적 구조는 수학적 계산의 산물입니다.
지붕을 덮은 짚은 시간이 지나면 갈색으로 변합니다.
지붕의 낙수 처리는 배수 설계의 핵심입니다.
지붕 위로 비치는 달빛이 고즈넉합니다.
지붕의 처마는 햇빛을 조절하는 역할을 합니다.
지붕을 수리하는 동안 임시 거처에 머물렀습니다.
지붕의 높낮이가 서로 다른 건물들이 조화를 이룹니다.
지붕을 덮는 것은 집을 완성하는 마지막 단계입니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"지붕을 뚫다"
to pierce the roof (prices soaring)
물가가 지붕을 뚫을 기세다.
casual"지붕 밑에 살다"
to live under the same roof
우리는 같은 지붕 밑에 산다.
neutral"지붕을 얹다"
to finish a roof (complete a task)
드디어 이 일에 지붕을 얹었다.
formal"지붕 위의 고양이"
restless/on edge
그는 지붕 위의 고양이처럼 불안해했다.
literary"지붕 없는 집"
an incomplete situation
그 계획은 지붕 없는 집과 같다.
formal"지붕을 씌우다"
to cover something
상자에 지붕을 씌워 보호했다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are 'top' parts.
천장 is internal, 지붕 is external.
지붕은 밖, 천장은 안.
Similar sound.
지분 is share/stake.
지분을 나누다 vs 지붕을 고치다.
Similar start.
지방 is region/fat.
지방에 살다 vs 지붕에 올라가다.
Both are structural.
기둥 is pillar, 지붕 is roof.
기둥이 지붕을 받친다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 지붕 + 을 + verb
나는 지붕을 고쳤다.
지붕 + 에 + verb
지붕에 올라갔다.
지붕 + 이 + adjective
지붕이 높다.
지붕 + 아래 + noun
지붕 아래 공간.
지붕 + 공사 + verb
지붕 공사를 시작했다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
천장 is ceiling (inside), 지붕 is roof (outside).
바닥 is floor/ground.
지방 means region or fat.
Korean nouns don't need '들' for general pluralization.
지분 means share or stake.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your own roof.
Context
Use it for houses.
Tradition
Think of Korean tiled roofs.
Particles
Use '이/가' or '을/를'.
Clarity
Focus on 'ng'.
Ceiling vs Roof
Don't mix them up!
History
Roofs define style.
Labeling
Label parts of your house.
Metaphor
Use for high prices.
Rhyme
Rhyme with 기둥.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Ji-bung sounds like 'Gee, a bung (plug) for the house!'
Visual Association
Imagine a giant plug covering your house.
Word Web
Challenge
Draw a house and label the 지붕.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: Covering for a house
Cultural Context
None
In English, 'roof' is often used metaphorically for 'the limit'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Home Repair
- 지붕이 새요
- 지붕 수리
- 지붕 공사
Architecture
- 기와 지붕
- 지붕 모양
- 지붕 경사
Nature
- 지붕 위 눈
- 지붕 위 비
- 지붕 위 고양이
Real Estate
- 지붕 상태
- 지붕 교체
- 지붕 보수
Conversation Starters
"What kind of roof does your house have?"
"Have you ever climbed onto a roof?"
"Do you prefer tiled roofs or modern ones?"
"What would you do if your roof leaked?"
"Why is the roof important for a house?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the roof of your childhood home.
Write about a time you had to fix something in your house.
If you could design a roof, what would it look like?
Why do we need roofs?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 지붕 is outside (roof), 천장 is inside (ceiling).
Yes, but '루프' is also common.
It is a standard, neutral word.
No, Korean nouns are context-dependent.
지붕을 고치다.
Yes, mostly about height or shelter.
Tiles, straw, metal, etc.
jee-boong.
Test Yourself
비가 오면 ___이 필요해요.
Roof is needed for rain.
Which is the roof?
지붕 is roof.
지붕은 집의 아래쪽에 있습니다.
It is at the top.
Word
Meaning
Vocabulary matching.
Time-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
The 지붕 is the protective hat of any building.
- 지붕 means roof.
- It is the external covering of a building.
- It protects against weather.
- It is different from a ceiling (천장).
Memory Palace
Visualize your own roof.
Context
Use it for houses.
Tradition
Think of Korean tiled roofs.
Particles
Use '이/가' or '을/를'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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집에서
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바구니
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