Understanding the Korean word 사시 (sasi) requires attention to context, as it holds two distinct primary meanings: the medical condition strabismus (crossed eyes) and the abbreviation for the historically significant Korean bar examination (사법시험, sabeopsiheom). This guide explains both meanings, provides relevant expressions, and offers cultural insights to help you use the term correctly.
Table Of Content
Core Meanings of Sasi
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Expression: 사시 (의학 용어)
Pronunciation: sa-si (ui-hak yong-eo)
Meaning: Strabismus (medical term for crossed eyes) -
Expression: 사시 (사법시험 약칭)
Pronunciation: sa-si (sa-beop-si-heom yak-ching)
Meaning: Sasi (abbreviation for the Bar Examination – note: this exam system has been largely phased out)
Expressions Related to Strabismus
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Expression: 눈이 사시예요.
Pronunciation: nun-i sa-si-ye-yo.
Meaning: My eyes are crossed. / I have strabismus. -
Expression: 어릴 때 사시가 있었어요.
Pronunciation: eo-ril ttae sa-si-ga iss-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I had strabismus when I was young. -
Expression: 사시 수술을 받았어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si su-sur-eul bad-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I received surgery for strabismus. -
Expression: 사시 교정 안경을 써요.
Pronunciation: sa-si gyo-jeong an-gyeong-eul sseo-yo.
Meaning: I wear corrective glasses for strabismus. -
Expression: 사시 때문에 불편해요.
Pronunciation: sa-si ttae-mun-e bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s uncomfortable because of the strabismus. -
Expression: 안과에서 사시 진단을 받았어요.
Pronunciation: an-gwa-e-seo sa-si jin-dan-eul bad-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I was diagnosed with strabismus at the eye clinic. -
Expression: 사시는 치료가 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-si-neun chi-ryo-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is strabismus treatable? -
Expression: 사시 전문 병원을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si jeon-mun byeong-won-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a hospital specializing in strabismus. -
Expression: 아이 눈이 약간 사시인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-i nun-i yak-gan sa-si-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think my child’s eyes might be slightly crossed.
Expressions Related to the Bar Exam (Sasi)
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Expression: 사법시험
Pronunciation: sa-beop-si-heom
Meaning: Bar Examination (the full term) -
Expression: 사시 준비했어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si jun-bi-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I prepared for the bar exam (Sasi). -
Expression: 사시에 합격했어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si-e hap-gyeok-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I passed the bar exam (Sasi). -
Expression: 사시에 여러 번 떨어졌어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si-e yeo-reo beon tteol-eo-jyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I failed the bar exam (Sasi) several times. -
Expression: 사시 공부는 정말 힘들었어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si gong-bu-neun jeong-mal him-deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Studying for the bar exam (Sasi) was really tough. -
Expression: 그분은 사시 출신 변호사예요.
Pronunciation: geu-bun-eun sa-si chul-sin byeon-ho-sa-ye-yo.
Meaning: He/She is a lawyer who passed the Sasi. -
Expression: 사시 폐지 전에 합격해서 다행이에요.
Pronunciation: sa-si pye-ji jeon-e hap-gyeok-hae-seo da-haeng-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s fortunate that I passed before the Sasi was abolished. -
Expression: 사시 합격자 발표 날
Pronunciation: sa-si hap-gyeok-ja bal-pyo nal
Meaning: The day the Sasi results were announced -
Expression: 사시 준비생들이 많았어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si jun-bi-saeng-deul-i man-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: There were many students preparing for the Sasi. -
Expression: 사법연수원 시절
Pronunciation: sa-beop-yeon-su-won si-jeol
Meaning: During the Judicial Research and Training Institute days (post-Sasi training)
Understanding Context
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Expression: “제 친구 아들이 사시래요.” (상황: 아이의 건강 이야기 중)
Pronunciation: “je chin-gu a-deul-i sa-si-rae-yo.” (sang-hwang: a-i-ui geon-gang i-ya-gi jung)
Meaning: “My friend’s son apparently has strabismus.” (Context: Discussing a child’s health) -
Expression: “제 친구 아들이 사시 붙었대요.” (상황: 시험 합격 이야기 중)
Pronunciation: “je chin-gu a-deul-i sa-si but-eott-dae-yo.” (sang-hwang: si-heom hap-gyeok i-ya-gi jung)
Meaning: “My friend’s son apparently passed the Sasi (bar exam).” (Context: Discussing exam results – Note: 붙다 ‘but-da’ means ‘to stick’ but is idiomatically used for passing exams) -
Expression: 안과에 갔더니 사시 진단을 받았어요.
Pronunciation: an-gwa-e gatt-deo-ni sa-si jin-dan-eul bad-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I went to the eye doctor and was diagnosed with strabismus. (Context: 안과 ‘an-gwa’ – eye clinic – makes the meaning clear) -
Expression: 그는 10년 동안 사시 공부만 했어요.
Pronunciation: geu-neun sip-nyeon dong-an sa-si gong-bu-man haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: He only studied for the Sasi (bar exam) for 10 years. (Context: 공부 ‘gong-bu’ – study – points to the exam) -
Expression: 사시 때문에 시력 교정이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: sa-si ttae-mun-e si-ryeok gyo-jeong-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Vision correction is needed because of strabismus. (Context: 시력 교정 ‘si-ryeok gyo-jeong’ – vision correction – indicates the medical meaning) -
Expression: 사시 합격은 정말 어려웠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-si hap-gyeok-eun jeong-mal eo-ryeo-woss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Passing the Sasi (bar exam) was really difficult. (Context: 합격 ‘hap-gyeok’ – passing – indicates the exam)
Cultural Notes
The term 사시 (sasi) carries significant weight depending on the context. When referring to the 사법시험 (sabeopsiheom), it evokes a period when passing this extremely difficult exam was one of the most prestigious achievements in Korean society, often seen as a path to success and social mobility. Mentioning someone “passed the Sasi” (사시 합격했어요) implies great intelligence and perseverance.
It’s important to know that the 사법시험 (Sasi) system was officially abolished in 2017, replaced by the law school system and a different bar examination (변호사시험, byeonhosasiheom). Therefore, discussions about “Sasi” usually refer to the past or to lawyers who qualified under the old system.
When 사시 (sasi) refers to strabismus, it’s a medical term. As with any health condition, discussing someone’s strabismus requires sensitivity. Avoid using it lightly or making jokes. It’s generally discussed in medical contexts or among close relations when necessary.
Because of these distinct meanings, context is absolutely crucial. Pay close attention to surrounding words like 눈 (nun – eye), 안과 (an-gwa – eye clinic), 수술 (susul – surgery) for the medical meaning, and 공부 (gongbu – study), 합격 (hapgyeok – passing), 변호사 (byeonhosa – lawyer) for the exam meaning.
Real Conversation Example
Situation 1: Two friends are talking about someone they both know who became a lawyer.
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Expression: A: 민수 씨 요즘 뭐 하는지 알아요?
Pronunciation: min-su ssi yo-jeum mwo ha-neun-ji ar-a-yo?
Meaning: A: Do you know what Minsu is doing these days? -
Expression: B: 아, 민수 씨요? 그 친구 예전에 사시 합격해서 지금 변호사로 일하고 있잖아요.
Pronunciation: a, min-su ssi-yo? geu chin-gu ye-jeon-e sa-si hap-gyeok-hae-seo ji-geum byeon-ho-sa-ro il-ha-go it-jan-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, Minsu? He passed the Sasi (bar exam) a while ago and is working as a lawyer now, you know. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 대단하네요! 사시 정말 어려웠다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal dae-dan-ha-ne-yo! sa-si jeong-mal eo-ryeo-wott-da-go deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s really amazing! I heard the Sasi was incredibly difficult.
Situation 2: Two parents are discussing their children’s health at a clinic.
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Expression: A: 우리 아이가 눈을 자주 비벼서 안과에 와봤어요.
Pronunciation: u-ri a-i-ga nun-eul ja-ju bi-byeo-seo an-gwa-e wa-bwass-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: My child often rubs their eyes, so we came to the eye clinic. -
Expression: B: 저희 아이는 어릴 때 사시 진단을 받아서 정기적으로 검사받으러 와요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui a-i-neun eo-ril ttae sa-si jin-dan-eul bad-a-seo jeong-gi-jeog-eu-ro geom-sa-bad-eu-reo wa-yo.
Meaning: B: Our child was diagnosed with strabismus when young, so we come for regular check-ups. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러시군요. 치료는 잘 되고 있나요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. chi-ryo-neun jal doe-go it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, I see. Is the treatment going well?
Practice Tips
Mastering words with multiple meanings like 사시 (sasi) is all about context! Pay close attention when you hear or read it. Ask yourself: Are they talking about eyes and health, or about exams, law, and past achievements?~
Try creating your own sentences using both meanings. For example, describe someone who passed the old bar exam (사시 출신 변호사, sa-si chul-sin byeon-ho-sa) and then describe a situation where someone needs glasses for strabismus (사시 교정 안경, sa-si gyo-jeong an-gyeong). This will help solidify the difference in your mind. Good luck with your practice!
