What does 기회 mean?
기회 (gi-hoe) means: Opportunity / Chance.
Speakers use this to refer to a favorable time, a window of opportunity, or simply time to spare for a change of activity. It frequently combines with verbs of seizing or missing, such as 잡다, 놓치다, and 살리다, as well as adjectives for scale like 이번 and 다음. It appears across both casual settings—such as proposing to go grocery shopping during a sale—and formal settings where one asks for an opportunity to host or treat someone.
Depending on the context, framing something as an opportunity can sound like an encouraging invitation or a polite request for a future opening.
Depending on the context, framing something as an opportunity can sound like an encouraging invitation or a polite request for a future opening.
Other sides of 기회
◆ grabbing the opening — Speakers use this when waiting for the right opening or timing to accomplish a goal, especially in competitive settings like sports or strategic planning. It pairs with verbs like 노리다 (to watch for), 엿보다 (to bide one's time), and 놓치다 (to miss out), as well as modifiers like 절호의 (prime) and 결정적인 (decisive). The examples show speakers tracking a specific opening, such as a soccer team looking for a gap in the opponent's defense or individuals waiting for the right moment to act.
In professional and fast-paced environments, focusing heavily on seizing the opening can sound intensely results-driven, turning a simple window of time into a high-stakes test of readiness.
◆ making a favor happen — Speakers reach for this word to present a social interaction or favor as a welcomed opening for both parties. In formal contexts, it turns up in polite requests to offer hospitality or service to a superior. It appears in fixed expressions involving offering or extending an opening to someone.
Can sound deferential and polite, reframing a personal favor or request as a mutual courtesy.
◆ the second chance — Speakers use this word when referring to a window of time or an opportunity to change course or make amends after an initial event. It appears in contexts where someone seeks a moment to explain themselves or divert their attention to a new task. It combines with verbs like 주다 when someone denies or grants that opening.
When used in situations involving failure or exclusion from a prior attempt, it can carry an emotional appeal for reconsideration.
In professional and fast-paced environments, focusing heavily on seizing the opening can sound intensely results-driven, turning a simple window of time into a high-stakes test of readiness.
◆ making a favor happen — Speakers reach for this word to present a social interaction or favor as a welcomed opening for both parties. In formal contexts, it turns up in polite requests to offer hospitality or service to a superior. It appears in fixed expressions involving offering or extending an opening to someone.
Can sound deferential and polite, reframing a personal favor or request as a mutual courtesy.
◆ the second chance — Speakers use this word when referring to a window of time or an opportunity to change course or make amends after an initial event. It appears in contexts where someone seeks a moment to explain themselves or divert their attention to a new task. It combines with verbs like 주다 when someone denies or grants that opening.
When used in situations involving failure or exclusion from a prior attempt, it can carry an emotional appeal for reconsideration.
How it's actually used
- 지금 마트에서 과일을 할인하는데 이번 기회에 장을 보러 가자. 어때?
ji-geum ma-te-seo gwa-i-reul hal-in-ha-neun-de i-beon gi-hoe-e jang-eul bo-reo ga-ja. eo-ttae?
Fruit is on sale at the supermarket right now, so let's go grocery shopping with this chance. How about it?
💡 Proposing an activity taking advantage of a current situation - 선생님, 언제 저희에게 선생님을 모시고 대접할 기회를 주십시오.
seon-saeng-nim, eon-je jeo-hui-e-ge seon-saeng-ni-meul mo-si-go dae-jeop-hal gi-hoe-reul ju-sip-sio.
Teacher, please give us the opportunity to host and treat you sometime.
💡 Making a formal request for an opening to show respect - 이번 유학 박람회는 해외 유학에 관한 실질적인 정보를 얻을 수 있는 좋은 기회였다.
i-beon yu-hak bak-ram-hwoe-neun hae-oe yu-hak-e gwan-han sil-jil-jeok-in jeong-bo-reul eodeul su inneun jo-eun gi-hoe-yeot-da.
This study abroad fair was a good opportunity to get practical information about studying overseas.
💡 Describing an event as a favorable occasion to gain information