Korean has various suffixes that can be added to words to indicate specific types of places.
Here’s an overview of each suffix with examples:
- -원 (public institutions or facilities)
- -장 (place/site)
- -점 (store/shop)
- -방 (store/shop)
- -당 (large space)
- -실 (room)
- -관 (building/institution)
- -서 (office)
- -소 (place / institution)
1. -원 ( 院 / 園 )
The suffix -원 came from two different 한자, each with a distinct meaning. Even though they look the same in 한글, they have different roots and usages. Let me break it down for you:
(1) -원(院) is used for institutions and a place for a specific purpose, often related to education, health, or social services.
- 병원 - Hospital
- 학원 - Academy, private institute
- 유치원 - Kindergarten
- 고아원 - Orphanage
- 요양원 - Nursing home
(2) -원(園) refers to natural spaces particularly open and expansive area of land.
- 공원 - Park
- 정원 - Garden
- 동물원 - Zoo
- 놀이공원 - Theme park
2. -장 ( 場 )
The suffix -장 indicates places where specific activities occur. Often times for events like sports or wedding etc.
- 시장 - Market
- 운동장 - Sports field, usually in schools
- 헬스장 - Fitness gym
- 수영장 - Swimming pool
- 볼링장 - Bowling alley
- 야구장 - Baseball stadium
- 결혼식장 - Wedding hall
- 공장 - Factory
- 주차장 - Car park
3. -점 ( 店 )
-점 refers to stores or shops.
- 음식점 - Restaurant
- 서점 - Book store
- 백화점 - Department store
- 편의점 - Convenience store
- 안경점 - Optician's shop
4. -방 ( 房 )
-방 usually refers to rooms or enclosed spaces.- 노래방 - Karaoke
- 피씨방 / PC방 - Internet cafe
- 찜질방 - Sauna
5. -당 ( 堂 )
-당 is often used for halls or places of assembly, sometimes with religious or community purposes.- 식당 - Cafeteria or restaurant
- 강당 - Assembly hall
- 성당 - Catholic church
6. -실 ( 室 )
-실 is typically used for rooms or specific spaces within buildings.- 교실 - Classroom
- 사무실 - Office
- 회의실 - Meeting room
- 화장실 - Bathroom, Restroom
- 거실 - Living room
- 미용실 - Beauty salon, Hair dressor
7. -관 ( 館 )
-관 often refers to large public buildings or institutions.- 도서관 - Library
- 영화관 - Cinema
- 박물관 - Museum
- 미술관 - Art gallery
8. -서 ( 署 )
-서 usually refers to official places.- 경찰서 - Police station
- 소방서 - Fire station
9. -소 ( 所 )
-소 indicates smaller facilities, often for specific services.- 파출소 - Police substation; smaller than 경찰서
- 매표소 - Ticket office
- 휴게소 - Rest stop on the high way
- 주유소 - Gas station
10. -국 ( 局 )
-국 refers to a government-related institution or an official place associated with public services.- 우체국 - Post office
- 약국 - Pharmacy
Recognising patterns in place suffixes can speed up the learning process. By focusing on suffixes, you can systematically expand your vocabulary in a way that feels manageable and logical. So, keep going. 화이팅 ✊
