Contents

Korean Suffix

Summary

A suffix is a letter of letters attached to the end of a word to change its overall meaning.

In-depth Explanation

접미사 (jeobmisa) is the Korean word for suffix. It is the opposite of a prefix. A suffix usually can’t stand as its own word. Examples of suffixes in English include “-ish” (as in “foolish”) and “-able” (as in “laughable”). 

The suffixes listed below are not always consistent in their meaning - context is important when deciding what the ending of a word actually means.

 

Suffixes That Relate to People and Occupations

Several suffixes are specifically used to indicate the job or role of a person. 

Suffix

Meaning

Example

-둥이 (doong-i)

-er, person

바람둥이 (baramdoong-i) – womanizer

-인 (in) 

-ese (person/native from) 

한국인 (han-googin) – Korean

-가 (ga)

-ist, -er

예술가 (yesoolga) – artist

-주 (joo)

owner

건물주 (geonmooljoo) – building owner

-장 (jang)

head, chief

팀장 (timjang) – team leader

 

Suffixes That Relate to Numbers and Quantity

When talking about numbers and totals, a suffix may be used after the number.

Suffix

Meaning

Example

-째 (jjae) 

-th (ordinal number)

둘째 (dooljjae) – the second kid

-짜리 (jjari)

worth, amount of

천 원짜리 (cheon wonjjari) – 1000 (amount of) won 

 

Suffixes That Relate to Places

Occasionally, a suffix is used after both common and proper nouns that represent certain locations or structures. 

Suffix

Meaning

Example

-서 (seo)

station, office

경찰서 (gyeongchalseo) – police station

-촌 (chon)

town, area, camp

어촌 (eochon) – fishing town

-관 (gwan)

place (of)

영화관 (yeonghwagwan) – movie theater

 

Suffixes That Relate to Groups and Categories

Suffix

Meaning

Example

-법 (beob)

law

노동법 (nodongbeob) – labor laws

-서 (seo)

book

교과서 (gyogwaseo) – textbook

-형 (hyeong)

type

혈액형 (hyeoraeghyeong) - blood type

-류 (lyoo/ryoo)

type, category

낙농류 (nagnongryoo) – dairy products