-경
Around, About (Time/age)
-경 is a suffix attached to nouns of time, date, or age to indicate an approximate point. It's similar to -쯤 but often feels more formal or literary.
How It Works
-경 is a suffix derived from the Hanja character 頃, meaning 'time' or 'moment'. It is used to express an approximation of a specific point in time, a date, or an age. It attaches directly to the noun without a space.
Usage:
It is typically used with:
- Specific times: 2시경 (around 2 o'clock), 정오경 (around noon)
- Dates/Months/Years: 12월 25일경 (around December 25th), 2000년경 (around the year 2000)
- Ages: 30세경 (around the age of 30)
Comparison with -쯤:
Both -경 and -쯤 can mean 'around' or 'about', but they have different nuances and usage contexts.
- Formality: -경 is more formal and is frequently used in written language, such as news reports, official documents, and historical texts. -쯤 is more common in everyday conversation.
- Scope: -경 is almost exclusively used for points in time, dates, and ages. -쯤 is much broader and can be used for quantities, prices, and durations as well.
For example, you can say '만 원쯤' (about 10,000 won), but '만 원경' would be incorrect. Similarly, '10시쯤' is common in speech, while '10시경' would sound more formal or be seen in writing, like in a police report describing the time of an incident.
Examples (4)
- 오후 3시경에 사고가 발생했습니다.
The accident occurred around 3 PM.
Word by Word: Afternoon 3 o'clock around-at accident occurred.
- 그 절은 15세기경에 지어졌습니다.
That temple was built around the 15th century.
Word by Word: That temple-is 15th century around-at was built.
- 회의는 정오경에 시작될 예정입니다.
The meeting is scheduled to start around noon.
Word by Word: Meeting-is noon around-at start will be scheduled.
- 그는 40세경에 회사를 설립했습니다.
He founded the company around the age of 40.
Word by Word: He-is 40 years old around-at company founded.
Common Mistakes
Using -경 for quantities or prices instead of -쯤.
Not Quite사과를 10개경 샀어요.Better사과를 10개쯤 샀어요.-경 is used for points in time, dates, or age. For quantities, amounts, or prices, you should use -쯤.
Leaving a space before -경.
Not Quite오후 2시 경에 만나요.Better오후 2시경에 만나요.-경 is a suffix and must be attached directly to the noun without a space.
Related Patterns
- -쯤About, Around
-쯤 also means 'about' or 'around' but is more common in spoken Korean and can be used with a wider range of nouns, including quantities and prices, not just time. -경 is more formal and specific to points in time.
- 때When, During
때 means 'when' or 'the time of'. While -경 specifies an approximate point in time (e.g., 3시경 - around 3 o'clock), 때 refers to a period or moment (e.g., 점심때 - lunchtime).
- 동안During, While
동안 means 'during' or 'for' a period of time. It refers to a duration, whereas -경 refers to an approximate point in time. For example, '3시간 동안' (for 3 hours) vs. '3시경' (around 3 o'clock).
- 에To, At
The time particle 에 is often used after a noun + -경 combination to mark the approximate time when an action takes place (e.g., 5시경에 도착했다 - arrived around 5 o'clock).