Household Goods and Office Object Vocabulary

Household Goods Vocabulary

Household goods vocabulary refers to words for the furniture, home appliances, bedding, bathroom and cleaning tools, school supplies, and other small items used at home and in daily life. On tests, it appears in questions that ask you to choose the name of an object from a picture, or to choose the object that fits a blank based on the situation in a conversation. Therefore, rather than only memorizing the meanings of words, you should also know what each object is used for. In particular, it is important to distinguish pairs that have similar uses or that are easily confused because they differ by only one syllable.

Furniture consists of objects used to sit or lie down on in a room, or to store things.

• 소파 (sofa) — furniture with a backrest and armrests so that several people can sit together. Example: 거실 소파에 앉아 텔레비전을 본다. (Sit on the living room sofa and watch TV.)
• 식탁 (dining table) — a table where food is set out and people sit around to eat. It differs in use from the sofa, which is also a piece of furniture for sitting, so the two must be distinguished.
• 의자 (chair) — furniture on which one person sits at a time. Example: 책상 앞 의자에 앉아 숙제를 한다. (Sit in the chair in front of the desk and do homework.)
• 책상 (desk) — a wide, flat piece of furniture used for writing or studying. It forms a pair with the chair in that both are used for sitting and writing.
• 책장·책꽂이 (bookshelf / bookcase) — furniture for keeping books on. A 책꽂이 refers to furniture with several shelves on which books are stood upright.
• 옷장 (wardrobe) — a large piece of furniture with doors, in which clothes are hung or stored. Example: 겨울옷은 옷장 아래 칸에 넣는다. (Put winter clothes in the lower compartment of the wardrobe.)
• 침대 (bed) — furniture on which a person lies down to sleep. Example: 밤이 되면 침대에 누워 잠을 잔다. (When night comes, lie down on the bed and go to sleep.)

Home appliances are living machines that run on electricity, and their names are determined by what they do.

• 냉장고 (refrigerator) — a home appliance that keeps food and drinks cold. Example: 남은 반찬은 냉장고에 넣어 둔다. (Keep leftover side dishes in the refrigerator.)
• 세탁기·다리미 (washing machine / iron) — a washing machine is a machine that washes clothes with water, and an iron is an electric tool that uses a hot plate to smooth out wrinkles in clothes. Both objects are related to clothes, but they do different jobs.
• 청소기 (vacuum cleaner) — a machine that sucks up dust from the floor. It is distinguished from the electric fan in that it has no blades and does not create wind.
• 선풍기 (electric fan) — a machine that creates wind by turning its blades. It cools you down with wind when it is hot.
• 난로·가습기 (heater / humidifier) — a 난로 is a device that produces heat to warm a cold room. A 가습기 is a machine that adds moisture to the air to raise the humidity, so its purpose differs from that of a 난로, which raises the temperature.
• 온도계 (thermometer) — a tool for measuring temperature. Example: 온도계를 보니 방 안이 따뜻하다. (Looking at the thermometer, the room is warm.)
• 시계 (clock / watch) — an object that shows the time with numbers and hands. It must be distinguished from the 달력, which shows the date.
• 라디오·텔레비전·카메라·컴퓨터 (radio / television / camera / computer) — a radio is a machine with an antenna for listening to sound, and a television is a machine for watching video on a screen. A camera is a machine for taking pictures, and a computer is a machine for writing text and using the internet.
• 손전등·형광등 (flashlight / fluorescent light) — a 손전등 is a light that you carry in your hand to illuminate dark places, and a 형광등 is a light that is hung from the ceiling to brighten the whole room.
• 저울·체중계·계산기 (scale / bathroom scale / calculator) — a 저울 is a tool for measuring the weight of objects, and a 체중계 is a machine for measuring a person's body weight. A 계산기 is a machine for calculating numbers, so it must be distinguished from machines that measure weight.
• 재봉틀 (sewing machine) — a machine that sews cloth with thread to make clothes or bags.
• 열쇠 (key) — a metal object used to open and lock doors.

School supplies and paper items are divided into names according to their use and form.

• 신문 (newspaper) — paper that carries new news every day.
• 공책·수첩·사전 (notebook / pocket notebook / dictionary) — a 공책 is a bundle of several sheets of paper for writing, and a 수첩 is a small notebook for recording schedules or memos. A 사전 is a book for finding the meanings of words.
• 달력 (calendar) — paper that lists dates and days of the week by month. Example: 벽에 걸린 달력에 약속을 적어 둔다. (Write down appointments on the calendar hanging on the wall.)
• 지도·명함·여권 (map / business card / passport) — a 지도 is a drawing of the shape and location of land on paper. A 명함 is a small piece of paper with a name and contact information written on it, and a 여권 is an identity document needed when going to another country.
• 가위·칼 (scissors / knife) — 가위 is a tool in which two blades are connected at the center by a screw and which cuts paper or cloth, and 칼 is a tool with a single blade.
• 볼펜·고무지우개 (ballpoint pen / eraser) — a 볼펜 is a pen used for writing, and a 고무지우개 is a school supply used to erase writing.
• 가방·배낭 (bag / backpack) — a 가방 is an object shaped like a pouch in which things are put and carried by hand, and a 배낭 is a bag in which things are put and carried on the back.

Items related to cleaning, washing, and bedding must also be distinguished according to their use.

• 고무장갑·고무장화 (rubber gloves / rubber boots) — 고무장갑 are gloves worn to protect the hands when doing dishes or cleaning, and 고무장화 are shoes worn on the feet when doing work involving water. A 수세미 is an item used to scrub dishes.
• 세숫대야 (washbasin) — a wide, round basin used for washing the face or holding water.
• 비누·치약 (soap / toothpaste) — 비누 is an item used with water to wash the hands, and 치약 is an item used to brush the teeth.
• 빗·거울 (comb / mirror) — a 빗 is an item used to comb hair, and a 거울 is an item in which one looks at one's face or appearance.
• 안경 (glasses) — an item worn on the face when one has poor eyesight.
• 이불·베개·수건 (blanket / pillow / towel) — a 이불 is a large cloth that covers the body when sleeping, and a 베개 is an item that supports the head. A 수건 is a thin cloth used to dry the body, so it must be distinguished from a 이불.
• 바구니·바가지·접시 (basket / gourd dipper / plate) — a 바구니 is a container with many holes and a handle, used to hold items and carry them. A 바가지 is a bowl with a long handle, and a 접시 is a flat dish for holding food.
• 쓰레기통·우체통·보관함 (trash can / mailbox / storage locker) — a 쓰레기통 is a container for throwing away trash, and a 우체통 is a container into which letters or parcels are put. A 보관함 is a place for keeping items temporarily, so its purpose differs from that of a 쓰레기통.
• 망치·송곳 (hammer / awl) — a 망치 is a tool for driving in nails, and a 송곳 is a pointed tool for making holes.
• 집게·물뿌리개 (clip / watering can) — a 집게 is a tool for gripping objects, and a 물뿌리개 is a tool for sprinkling water.
• 비닐봉투 (plastic bag) — a bag made of thin plastic.

In blank-filling questions, you choose the object used in the situation shown in the conversation. The object needed when you want to wash your hands is 비누 (soap). 빨래 (laundry) refers to washing clothes or cloth in water, and it is sometimes done by hand when the 세탁기 (washing machine) is broken. The object used to shelter from the rain when it is raining is 우산 (umbrella). 구두 (dress shoes) are items worn on the feet, and 바지 (pants) and 치마 (skirt) are garments worn on the lower body, so they have nothing to do with snow or rain.

Household Items Vocabulary

Questions on household items and office objects often require knowing what an object is used for in order to choose the correct answer. For this reason, object names should be learned together with their uses, and it is important to distinguish objects that look alike or are placed in similar locations.

Personal Items and Things Worn on the Body

• 지갑 (wallet) — An item for carrying small things such as cash, credit cards, and ID cards. '돈'(money) refers only to cash, so when speaking of an item that holds cards and ID together, use '지갑'(wallet). Example: 지갑에 신분증과 카드를 함께 넣었다.
• 우산 (umbrella) — An item that is opened and held over the head when it rains. It is expressed as '우산을 쓰다'(to hold an umbrella over one's head), and it is distinguished from clothing and shoes such as 구두(dress shoes), 바지(pants), and 치마(skirt). Example: 비가 와서 우산을 가지고 나갔다.
• 안경 (eyeglasses) — An item worn in front of the eyes so that one can see better. It is worn in a different place from a 거울(mirror), which is used to look at one's face, and from a 모자(hat), which is worn on the head. Example: 책을 읽을 때 안경을 쓴다.
• 고무장갑 (rubber gloves) — Gloves made of rubber that are put on to protect the hands when doing water-related work such as washing dishes or cleaning. The place where they are worn on the body differs from 마스크(mask), which is worn on the face. Example: 설거지를 할 때 고무장갑을 낀다.
• 비누 (soap) — An item used to create lather when washing the hands or body. Its use differs from 치약(toothpaste), which is used when brushing the teeth. Example: 손을 씻을 때 비누로 거품을 낸다.
• 빨래 (laundry) — Refers to the act of putting clothes or cloth in water and washing them. It is used as '빨래하다'(to do the laundry) and '빨래를 널다'(to hang up laundry), and the object of the action differs from 목욕(bathing), which is washing the body, and 요리(cooking), which is making food. Example: 주말에 밀린 빨래를 했다.

Furniture and Storage Spaces

• 침대 (bed) — Furniture on which a person lies down to sleep. It should be distinguished from 의자(chair), on which a person sits. Example: 피곤해서 침대에 누웠다.
• 의자 (chair) — Furniture on which a person sits, and some have a backrest or armrests. The way it is used differs from 침대(bed), on which one lies down to sleep. Example: 의자를 책상 앞으로 당겨 앉았다.
• 책상 (desk) — Furniture used for writing, studying, and working. Many have drawers. Example: 책상 위에 공책을 펼쳤다.
• 서랍 (drawer) — A box-shaped compartment that is pushed and pulled in and out of a piece of furniture. It refers to a part of furniture, such as 책상 서랍(desk drawer) or 옷장 서랍(wardrobe drawer). Learn it together with words for places where things are stored, such as 가방(bag), 옷장(wardrobe), and 신발장(shoe cabinet). Example: 열쇠는 서랍 안에 넣어 두었다.
• 옷장 (wardrobe) — A large piece of furniture in which clothes are stored. It is distinguished from 책장(bookshelf), which is used to hold books. Example: 겨울 외투를 옷장 안에 걸었다.

Home Appliances and Kitchen and Household Tools

• 선풍기 (electric fan) — A home appliance that creates wind with electricity to cool down a hot space. Its function differs from 냉장고(refrigerator), which keeps food cold. Example: 더운 여름밤에 선풍기를 약하게 틀었다.
• 가위 (scissors) — A tool with two blades that meet in the middle, used to cut paper or cloth. It is distinguished from 칼(knife), which has a blade on only one side. Example: 가위로 상자 테이프를 잘랐다.
• 자르다 (to cut) — An action of dividing an object by severing it with a tool such as a knife or scissors. It is used to mean cutting wrapping paper with scissors, and it is distinguished from '붙이다'(to attach), which means joining things with tape or glue, '누르다'(to press), which means pressing with force, and '당기다'(to pull), which means drawing something toward oneself. Example: 상자의 끈을 자르고 안을 꺼냈다.
• 집게 (clip or tongs) — A tool that closes two arms to grip an object. Example: 빨랫줄의 빨래를 집게로 집었다.
• 저울 (scale) — A tool used to measure the weight of an object. It is distinguished from 계산기(calculator), which calculates numbers, and 자(ruler), which measures length. Example: 고기를 저울에 올려 무게를 쟀다.
• 재봉틀 (sewing machine) — A machine that sews cloth with a needle to make clothes or bags. Example: 재봉틀로 바지 밑단을 박았다.
• 상자 (box) — A square container made of materials such as paper, wood, or plastic, used to hold objects. It is distinguished from 그릇(bowl or dish), which holds food. Example: 책을 상자에 넣어 옮겼다.
• 그릇 (bowl or dish) — A container that holds food or drink. It is not used to store objects like a 상자(box). Example: 국을 그릇에 담았다.
• 봉지 (bag or pouch) — A pouch made of thin plastic or paper. Many have handles. Example: 시장에서 산 채소를 비닐봉지에 담았다.
• 쌀자루 (rice sack) — A large sack for holding rice. '자루'(sack) is a large bag for holding grain or powder, and it is bigger and thicker than 봉지(bag). Example: 쌀자루를 어깨에 메고 옮겼다.
• 끈 (string or cord) — A thin, long line used to tie or bind objects. Example: 상자를 끈으로 단단히 묶었다.

Office Supplies and Reading Materials

• 달력 (calendar) — An item that shows dates and days of the week. It is hung on a wall or placed on a desk, and it is distinguished from 시계(clock), which shows the time. Example: 달력에 약속 날짜를 적었다.
• 시계 (clock or watch) — An item that shows the time. Many have a number dial and hands. Example: 벽시계를 보니 벌써 점심때였다.
• 신문 (newspaper) — Paper that carries new news every day. It is distinguished from books such as 공책(notebook), 수첩(pocket notebook), and 사전(dictionary). Example: 아침마다 신문을 읽는다.
• 책 (book) — An item with many pages bound together with a cover, containing written text. Example: 도서관에서 책을 빌렸다.
• 공책 (notebook), 수첩 (pocket notebook), 사전 (dictionary) — 공책 is a book made for writing, 수첩 is a small book for memos or schedules, and 사전 is a thick book for looking up the meanings of words. Learn these three by distinguishing them according to their uses.

Adjective Pair

• 부족하다 (to be insufficient) — It means to fall short of the amount or number needed. Its antonym is '충분하다'(to be sufficient). Example: 시험지가 부족해서 몇 장을 더 복사했다.

Clothing, Shoes, and Accessory Vocabulary

Vocabulary for clothing, shoes, and accessories must be distinguished by the part of the body on which the item is worn and by the item's shape and use.

Types of clothing are divided by where they are worn. 바지(pants) is a lower garment whose legs are divided into two, because each leg is put into a separate opening when worn. 치마(skirt) is a lower garment that hangs down from the waist and whose legs are not divided. A skirt with ruffle decorations belongs to the same type. Therefore, the two words are distinguished by whether the legs are divided.

윗옷(top) is a garment worn on the upper body. 티셔츠(T-shirt) is a casual top, and 와이셔츠(dress shirt) is a long-sleeved formal shirt with buttons. 스웨터(sweater) is a top knitted from wool yarn. 양복 윗옷(suit jacket) refers to the upper part of a suit, and it is worn by putting the arms into the sleeves.

옷(clothes) is a superordinate term that refers to all items worn on the body, such as 바지, 치마, and 셔츠(shirt). 운동화(sneakers) is not clothing but belongs to shoes.

Shoes are items worn on the feet. 운동화(sneakers) is a shoe worn when exercising or walking comfortably. 신발(shoes) and 양말(socks) go with 신다(to put on the feet). They are not interchanged with 입다(to put on the body) or 끼다(to put on the hands or fingers). Ex) 비가 와서 장화를 신고 나갔다.

The verbs for wearing differ depending on the object.

• 입다 (to put on the body) — Used when a garment is put on the body. Ex) 날이 추우니 두꺼운 옷을 입자.
• 신다 (to put on the feet) — Used when putting shoes or socks on the feet. Ex) 운동화를 신고 공원에 갔다.
• 쓰다 (to put on the head or face) — Used when placing a hat or glasses on the head or face. Ex) 챙이 달린 모자를 쓴다.
• 끼다 (to put on the hands or fingers) — Used when putting gloves or a ring on the hand. 안경(glasses) takes both 쓰다 and 끼다. Ex) 눈이 나빠서 안경을 끼고 책을 읽는다.
• 벗다 (to take off) — Used when removing something worn on the body. Ex) 실내에 들어가면 외투를 벗는다.

Accessories are distinguished by their use. 가방(bag) is an item for carrying belongings, and it often has a handle, pockets, and a zipper. 지갑(wallet) is a small item for carrying money and cards. 수첩(pocket notebook) is a small memo pad for writing notes, and 공책(notebook) is a bundle of several sheets of paper. 여권(passport) is an identification document needed when going abroad, so its use differs from that of 가방 or 지갑.

우산(umbrella) is an item that is opened and used to block rain. 거울(mirror) is an item for looking at one's face, and 열쇠(key) is a small metal object used to open a door. 안경(glasses) is an item worn on the eyes when one cannot see well, and a pair with black frames also belongs to this type.

옷걸이(hanger) is an item with several hooks on a long stem, used to hang coats or hats. 옷장(wardrobe) is a large piece of furniture for storing clothes, so it must be distinguished from 옷걸이.

Learn adjectives in pairs. '두꺼운'(thick) means that the thickness is great, and '얇은'(thin) means that the thickness is small. A warm garment worn in cold weather is 두꺼운 옷. '가벼운'(light) means that the weight is small. Ex) 가벼운 운동화를 고르다.

When talking about price, use '싸다'(to be cheap). '싸다' means that little money is spent, and it is not said as 값이 낮다(the price is low). '낮다'(to be low) means that a position or height is down, so it does not go with price. '작다'(to be small) and '좁다'(to be narrow) describe size and width, so they are not used to explain price.

Shopping vocabulary is also distinguished. '신상품'(new product) is a product that has just come out, and '전품목'(all items) means every item. Therefore, '전품목 세일'(all-items sale) means that all goods are sold at a discount. '고르다'(to choose) means looking over several items to pick one to buy. '구경하다'(to browse) means looking around items or a place.

On the floor directory, look for the type of goods. 여성 의류(women's clothing), 남성 의류(men's clothing), and 아동 의류(children's clothing) are on different floors, and 잡화(miscellaneous goods) refers to small items used in daily life. So, to choose clothes, you must look for the appropriate clothing floor.

Learn the vocabulary for laundry and alteration as well. '드라이클리닝'(dry cleaning) is a method of cleaning clothes with solvent instead of water, and '수선'(alteration) means mending and fixing clothes. At a laundry shop, dry cleaning and alteration are handled together.

The clothing label has items for material, size, and care instructions. 면(COTTON) in the material section is the fabric of the garment. In the size section, '호칭'(size designation) is the name indicating the garment's size, so it does not mean height, and '가슴둘레'(chest circumference) is the length around the chest. Among the care instructions, '탈수'(spin-drying) means removing water from wet clothes, and after washing, it is common to dry clothes in the shade.

Electronic Device Vocabulary

Electronic device vocabulary refers to the names of devices that run on electricity or electronic circuits. Memorizing the words alone often leads to mistakes, so you should learn each device's appearance and function together. Picture questions ask you to choose the name of a device by looking at its shape and function. Blank questions ask you to find the device that fits a given situation.

Common devices used at home and in the office are memorized by grouping them according to their function. The following are devices and their uses that often appear on the test.

• 청소기(vacuum cleaner) — A device that sucks up dust to clean the floor. It has a long tube and hose and is pushed across the floor when used. Ex) 거실 바닥을 청소기로 밀었다. (I vacuumed the living room floor.)
• 세탁기(washing machine) — A device that washes clothes. Unlike a vacuum cleaner or a refrigerator, it is used to wash dirt off clothes. Ex) 더러운 옷을 세탁기에 넣었다. (I put the dirty clothes into the washing machine.)
• 냉장고(refrigerator) — A home appliance that keeps food and drinks cold. Its purpose differs from that of a device that cools the air. Ex) 시원한 주스를 냉장고에 넣었다. (I put the cold juice in the refrigerator.)
• 선풍기(electric fan) — A device that turns blades to create wind. It does not lower the air temperature but reduces the heat with wind. Ex) 더운 날 선풍기를 틀어 놓고 잤다. (I slept with the electric fan on during a hot day.)
• 에어컨(air conditioner) — A device that lowers the air temperature in a room to make it cool. A fan only sends out air, but an air conditioner makes the air cold. Ex) 너무 더워서 에어컨을 켰다. (It was so hot that I turned on the air conditioner.)
• 가습기(humidifier) — A device that adds water and releases water vapor to raise the humidity indoors. Ex) 겨울철 방이 건조해서 가습기를 켰다. (The room was dry in winter, so I turned on the humidifier.)
• 온도계(thermometer) — A tool for measuring temperature. It does not release wind or water vapor, so its use differs from that of a humidifier. Ex) 방의 온도를 온도계로 쟀다. (I measured the room temperature with a thermometer.)
• 텔레비전(television) — A device for watching broadcasts and videos on a screen. It has a large screen and control buttons. Ex) 저녁에 텔레비전으로 뉴스를 봤다. (I watched the news on television in the evening.)
• 라디오(radio) — A device that only lets you listen to sound. It has no screen and produces sound through an antenna and a speaker. Ex) 아침에 라디오로 음악을 들었다. (I listened to music on the radio in the morning.)
• 카메라(camera) — A device that takes photos or videos by receiving light through a lens. Ex) 여행지에서 카메라로 풍경을 찍었다. (I took pictures of the scenery at the travel destination with a camera.)
• 컴퓨터(computer) — A device with a monitor, main body, keyboard, and mouse together, used to input data and check it on the screen. Ex) 보고서를 컴퓨터로 작성했다. (I wrote the report on a computer.)
• 노트북 컴퓨터(laptop computer) — A portable computer whose screen and keyboard form one unit, opened up to use. Ex) 카페에서 노트북 컴퓨터로 과제를 했다. (I did my assignment on a laptop computer at a café.)
• 휴대전화(mobile phone) — A small device carried in the hand, used to make calls and send text messages. It is also called ‘휴대폰(cell phone)’. Ex) 친구에게 휴대폰으로 문자를 보냈다. (I sent a text message to a friend with my cell phone.)
• 계산기(calculator) — A device that calculates numbers. Its use differs from that of a device for calls or broadcasts. Ex) 시험 문제의 답을 계산기로 확인했다. (I checked the answer to the exam question with a calculator.)
• 전자사전(electronic dictionary) — A device that finds and shows the meaning of a word on its screen. It is used instead of a paper dictionary. Ex) 모르는 단어를 전자사전으로 찾았다. (I looked up an unfamiliar word in an electronic dictionary.)
• 전자저울(electronic scale) — A device that measures the weight of an object. Ex) 소포의 무게를 전자저울로 달았다. (I weighed the parcel on an electronic scale.)
• 드라이어(hair dryer) — A device that dries hair with hot air. Ex) 머리를 감고 드라이어로 말렸다. (After washing my hair, I dried it with a hair dryer.)
• 전기밥솥(electric rice cooker) — A home appliance that cooks rice. Ex) 전기밥솥에 쌀을 넣고 밥을 했다. (I put rice in the electric rice cooker and cooked rice.)