전과
전과 in 30 Sekunden
- 전과 means changing your major within the same university.
- It is a formal administrative process requiring high grades.
- The word comes from Hanja: 'turn' and 'department'.
- It is different from transferring to a new school (편입).
The Korean word 전과 (jeongwa) specifically refers to the administrative process of changing one's major or academic department within a university or college. In the highly structured South Korean education system, choosing a major often happens before entering university based on national exam scores. Consequently, many students find that their initial choice does not align with their interests or career goals once they begin their studies. This is where 전과 becomes a vital concept. It represents a significant academic pivot, often requiring a high Grade Point Average (GPA) and passing specific departmental interviews or exams. Unlike simply picking new classes, 전과 involves a formal transfer of one's primary field of study from one department (e.g., Engineering) to another (e.g., Business Administration).
- Academic Context
- Used when a student officially moves from Department A to Department B. This is a formal administrative action recorded on a transcript.
대학교 2학년 때 전공이 적성에 맞지 않아 전과를 결심했습니다. (In my second year of university, I decided to change my major because it didn't suit my aptitude.)
The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 轉 (전), meaning 'to turn' or 'to change', and 科 (과), meaning 'department' or 'subject'. Together, they literally mean 'changing the department'. It is important to distinguish this from 복수 전공 (double major) or 부전공 (minor), where the original major is kept. In a 전과 scenario, the student completely leaves the old department. In Korean society, where the prestige of certain departments is very high, 전과 into popular fields like Medicine, Law (historically), or Computer Science is extremely competitive and often discussed as a major life event for a student.
인기 학과로 전과하려면 학점 관리가 아주 중요합니다. (To transfer to a popular department, managing your GPA is very important.)
- Social Nuance
- In Korea, changing majors is sometimes seen as a 'second chance' for students who didn't get into their preferred department initially due to entrance exam scores.
Furthermore, one must be careful with the homonym 전과 (前科), which means 'criminal record'. While the context usually makes the meaning clear, in academic settings, it exclusively refers to the transfer of major. The word carries a sense of a fresh start or a course correction in one's career path. It is a noun that encapsulates the struggle, ambition, and administrative hurdles of the Korean higher education system. Students often spend their freshman year taking 'liberal arts' (교양) classes while maintaining a high GPA specifically to meet the requirements for 전과 in their sophomore year.
그는 수학과에서 경제학과로 전과에 성공했다. (He succeeded in transferring from the Mathematics department to the Economics department.)
- Administrative Terminology
- The opposite of entering a department is 'leaving' it, but 전과 encompasses both the exit from the old and the entry into the new.
이번 학기 전과 공고가 게시판에 올라왔어요. (The notice for major transfers for this semester has been posted on the bulletin board.)
Using 전과 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun and its common verbal pairings. Most frequently, it acts as the object of a sentence. For example, when you want to say 'I want to change my major,' you use the phrase 전과를 하고 싶다. The particle ~를/을 identifies it as the thing you want to do. If you are describing the result, you might say 전과가 승인되었다 (The transfer was approved). Here, the particle ~가 marks it as the subject that underwent the action of being approved.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 전과하다 (to transfer major), 전과를 신청하다 (to apply for transfer), 전과에 성공하다 (to succeed in transferring), 전과를 포기하다 (to give up on transferring).
부모님의 반대에도 불구하고 그는 예술대학으로 전과를 감행했다. (Despite his parents' opposition, he went ahead with transferring to the College of Fine Arts.)
When specifying the departments involved, the particles ~에서 (from) and ~(으)로 (to) are essential. For instance, 영어영문학과에서 경영학과로 전과하다 means 'to transfer from English Literature to Business Administration'. This structure is very rigid and follows the standard Korean directional grammar. In formal documents, you will often see 전과 사유 (reason for transfer), which is a required field in most applications. This illustrates how the word functions in bureaucratic and official academic contexts.
성적이 낮으면 전과가 제한될 수 있습니다. (If your grades are low, transferring majors may be restricted.)
- Sentence Patterns
- [Department A]에서 [Department B]로 전과하다. (Transfer from A to B.)
In conversation, students might shorten the process and just say 나 이번에 전과해 (I'm transferring majors this time). The word is also used in compound nouns such as 전과생 (a student who has transferred majors). This is a common label used to identify students who joined a department later than their peers. For example, '저는 이 학과 전과생입니다' (I am a transfer-major student in this department). Understanding these variations helps in navigating university social circles where 'original' students and 'transfer' students might have different social dynamics.
전과 준비를 위해 이번 방학 동안 미리 전공 서적을 읽고 있어요. (To prepare for the major transfer, I am reading major books in advance during this vacation.)
- Formal Usage
- 전과 신청 기간 (Major transfer application period). This phrase is found on almost all university websites.
그는 전과 후에도 적응을 잘 해서 장학금을 받았다. (After transferring his major, he adapted well and received a scholarship.)
You will primarily encounter 전과 in environments related to higher education in South Korea. The most common place is within university campuses—on bulletin boards, in student councils' announcements, and during conversations between students in the cafeteria. It is a 'hot topic' during the end of the first year (freshman year) and the beginning of the second year, as this is typically the window when students are allowed to apply. If you walk into a university administration office (과사무실 or 학사지원팀), you will likely see forms labeled 전과 신청서.
- Campus Life
- Hear it in the library when students discuss their GPAs or in student lounges when peers ask, 'Are you staying in this major?'
선배님, 전과하려면 어떤 과목을 미리 들어야 하나요? (Senior, what subjects should I take in advance to transfer majors?)
Beyond physical campuses, the word is ubiquitous on Korean online student communities like Everytime (에브리타임). There are often dedicated boards or 'threads' where students share tips on how to successfully pass the 전과 interview for specific departments. You might see posts like 'Computer Science transfer success story' or 'Is it possible to transfer with a 3.5 GPA?'. In these digital spaces, 전과 is discussed with a mix of anxiety and hope, as it represents a chance to change one's future career trajectory without retaking the national entrance exam (재수).
이번에 우리 과로 전과해온 신입생이 두 명 있대. (I heard there are two new students who transferred into our department this time.)
- Media and Drama
- K-Dramas set in universities (e.g., 'Cheese in the Trap' or 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo') often feature characters struggling with their majors and considering a change.
In a professional or family setting, the word might come up when an older relative asks a university student about their studies. If a student says, 'I changed my major,' they would use 전과했어요. In job interviews, if a candidate's major on their resume changed halfway through university, the interviewer might ask, 'Why did you decide to 전과?' This shows that the word is not just slang but a standard, formal term used across different levels of society to describe a specific academic transition.
면접관: "전공을 전과하신 특별한 이유가 있나요?" (Interviewer: "Is there a special reason why you transferred your major?")
- Administrative Announcements
- [공지] 2024학년도 제1학기 전과 전형 안내 ([Notice] 2024 1st Semester Major Transfer Selection Guide).
친구야, 너 전과하면 이제 우리 수업 같이 못 듣는 거야? (Friend, if you transfer majors, does that mean we can't take classes together anymore?)
The most significant mistake learners make with 전과 is confusing it with its homonyms. In Korean, 전과 (前科) means a criminal record. While the Hanja is different, the pronunciation is identical. Imagine a student proudly telling their professor, 'I want to have a 전과!' While the context of a university usually clarifies the meaning, using it in a vague sentence could lead to a very awkward misunderstanding. Always ensure the context of 'department' or 'university' is established if there is any ambiguity.
- Homonym Alert
- 전과 (轉科): Transfer major.
전과 (前科): Criminal record.
전과 (全科): All subjects (often used in '전과 사전' - a reference book covering all subjects for elementary students).
잘못된 표현: 나는 전과가 있는 사람이다. (Incorrect context: This could mean 'I am a person with a criminal record' instead of 'I am a person who transferred majors'.)
Another common error is confusing 전과 with 편입 (pyeon-ip). While both involve transferring, 편입 refers to transferring from University A to University B. 전과 is strictly internal—moving from Department A to Department B within the same university. If you tell someone you '전과' to a different school, it will sound grammatically and logically incorrect to a native speaker. Use 편입 for switching schools and 전과 for switching majors within the same school.
비교: 서울대에서 연세대로 가는 것은 편입이고, 서울대 수학과에서 경영학과로 가는 것은 전과입니다. (Comparison: Going from SNU to Yonsei is 'pyeon-ip', and going from SNU Math to SNU Business is 'jeongwa'.)
- Particle Mistakes
- Learners often forget to use '~로' (to) for the destination department. Saying '경영학과를 전과하다' is less natural than '경영학과로 전과하다'.
Lastly, learners sometimes use 전공을 바꾸다 (to change major) and 전과하다 interchangeably. While they mean the same thing in essence, 전과하다 is the formal, administrative term. In a casual conversation, 전공을 바꿨어 is perfectly fine, but if you are talking about the official process or looking for information on a university website, you must use 전과. Using the casual phrase in a formal application would be a stylistic error.
행정실 직원: "전과 신청서는 작성하셨나요?" (Office staff: "Have you filled out the major transfer application?")
- Common Confusion
- Confusing 전과 with 전학 (jeon-hak). 전학 is used for elementary, middle, and high school transfers. Universities use 편입 or 전과.
초등학생은 전학을 가고, 대학생은 전과를 하거나 편입을 합니다. (Elementary students transfer schools [jeon-hak], university students transfer majors [jeongwa] or schools [pyeon-ip].)
To fully master the vocabulary around academic changes, it is helpful to compare 전과 with related terms. The most common alternative is 전공 변경 (jeongong byeongyeong), which literally means 'major change'. While 전과 is the administrative label for the act of switching departments, 전공 변경 is a more descriptive phrase that can be used in broader contexts. For example, 'I am thinking about a major change' can be 전공 변경을 고민 중이에요.
- Comparison: 전과 vs. 편입
- 전과: Moving between departments inside the same university.
편입: Moving from one university to a different university.
그는 전과 대신 복수 전공을 선택했다. (He chose a double major instead of transferring his major.)
Another set of related terms includes 복수 전공 (double major), 부전공 (minor), and 심화 전공 (intensive major). These represent different ways of specializing without completely leaving one's original department. 복수 전공 is very popular in Korea because it allows students to have two specializations on their diploma, which is seen as advantageous for employment. In contrast, 전과 is a cleaner break; you leave your old department behind entirely. If a student finds their current major tolerable but wants to study something else as well, they choose 복수 전공. If they hate their current major, they choose 전과.
부전공은 학점 부담이 적지만, 전과는 아예 소속이 바뀌는 것입니다. (A minor has less credit burden, but a major transfer completely changes your affiliation.)
- Comparison: 전과 vs. 전학
- 전과: University level, change of major.
전학: K-12 level, change of school building/location.
Lastly, consider the term 전직 (jeon-jik), which means 'changing jobs' or 'changing professions'. While 전과 is for students, 전직 is for workers. Both share the prefix 전- (change). Understanding this root helps you expand your vocabulary to other types of 'changes' in life. For example, 전입 (moving in) and 전출 (moving out) also use this root. By grouping these words together, you can see the logical pattern of the Korean language when it comes to transitions and shifts in status or location.
나중에 직업을 바꾸는 것을 전직이라고 합니다. (Changing your job later is called 'jeon-jik'.)
- Administrative Hierarchy
- 전과 (Department change) > 전공 변경 (General major change) > 수업 변경 (Course change).
그는 전과를 통해 자신의 꿈에 한 발짝 더 다가갔다. (Through a major transfer, he took one step closer to his dream.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
저는 전과하고 싶어요.
I want to change my major.
전과 + 하고 싶다 (want to)
전과는 어려워요.
Changing majors is difficult.
Noun + 은/는 (topic marker)
언제 전과해요?
When do you change majors?
Question word '언제' (when)
제 친구는 전과했어요.
My friend changed their major.
Past tense -았/었/했어요
전과가 뭐예요?
What is a major transfer?
Question ending -예요?
오늘 전과 신청해요.
I am applying for a major transfer today.
Time word '오늘' (today)
우리는 전과생이에요.
We are transfer-major students.
Noun '전과생' (transfer student)
전과를 안 해요.
I am not changing my major.
Negative '안' before the verb
수학과에서 경영학과로 전과했어요.
I transferred from the Math department to the Business department.
~에서 (from) ... ~(으)로 (to)
전과하려면 학점이 좋아야 해요.
To transfer majors, your grades must be good.
-(으)려면 (if you intend to)
이번 학기에 전과를 신청할 거예요.
I will apply for a major transfer this semester.
Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요
전과 사유를 써야 합니다.
You must write the reason for the transfer.
Formal ending -습니다/합니다
전과 후에 공부가 더 재미있어요.
After transferring majors, studying is more fun.
Noun + 후에 (after)
부모님께 전과에 대해 말씀드렸어요.
I told my parents about the major transfer.
Honorific '말씀드리다' (to tell)
전과가 가능한지 확인해 보세요.
Please check if a major transfer is possible.
-는지 확인하다 (check whether)
인기 학과는 전과가 아주 힘들어요.
It is very hard to transfer to popular departments.
Adjective modifying noun '인기 학과'
적성에 맞지 않는 전공 때문에 전과를 고민하고 있습니다.
I am contemplating a major transfer because my major doesn't suit my aptitude.
Noun + 때문에 (because of)
전과를 하면 졸업이 늦어질 수도 있어요.
If you transfer majors, graduation might be delayed.
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 (might/could)
학교 홈페이지에서 전과 공고를 확인했습니다.
I checked the major transfer announcement on the school website.
Object marker '를/을'
전과 면접을 위해 예상 질문을 준비했어요.
I prepared expected questions for the major transfer interview.
Noun + 을/를 위해 (for the sake of)
교수님과 전과 문제로 상담을 받았습니다.
I had a consultation with the professor regarding the major transfer issue.
Noun + (으)로 (reason/method)
전과 승인 소식을 듣고 정말 기뻤어요.
I was really happy to hear the news of the transfer approval.
-고 (and/then)
그 학과는 전과 제한이 있어서 신청할 수 없어요.
That department has transfer restrictions, so I can't apply.
-아/어서 (reason)
전과한 뒤에 새로운 친구들을 많이 사귀었어요.
After transferring, I made many new friends.
-(으)ㄴ 뒤에 (after doing)
전과를 결심하게 된 결정적인 계기가 무엇인가요?
What was the decisive factor that made you decide to transfer majors?
-게 된 (how something came to be)
학점 커트라인이 높아서 전과에 실패하는 학생들도 많습니다.
Many students fail to transfer because the GPA cutoff is high.
Noun + 이/가 높아서 (because... is high)
전과생으로서 기존 학생들과 어울리는 것이 쉽지 않았어요.
As a transfer student, it wasn't easy to mingle with the existing students.
Noun + (으)로서 (as a...)
전과를 하더라도 이전 학과의 학점이 일부 인정됩니다.
Even if you transfer, some credits from your previous department are recognized.
-더라도 (even if)
그는 자신의 꿈을 찾아 과감하게 전과를 시도했다.
He boldly attempted a major transfer to find his dream.
Adverbial '과감하게' (boldly)
전과 제도가 학생들의 선택권을 보장해 줍니다.
The major transfer system guarantees students' right to choose.
Present tense -아/어 주다 (do for someone)
전과 절차가 까다로워서 미리 서류를 준비해야 해요.
The transfer procedure is complicated, so you must prepare documents in advance.
Adjective '까다롭다' (complicated/picky)
전과를 통해 전공에 대한 열정을 다시 찾았습니다.
Through the major transfer, I rediscovered my passion for my studies.
Noun + 을/를 통해 (through)
대학 내 전과 경쟁이 치열해지면서 부작용도 나타나고 있습니다.
As competition for major transfers within universities intensifies, side effects are appearing.
-면서 (while/as)
특정 학과로의 전과 쏠림 현상은 학문의 불균형을 초래할 수 있다.
The phenomenon of students flocking to certain departments through transfers can cause academic imbalance.
Noun + 을/를 초래하다 (to cause/result in)
전과를 허용하는 범위와 기준은 대학마다 상이합니다.
The scope and criteria for allowing major transfers differ by university.
Noun + 마다 (every/each)
그는 전과 사유서에 자신의 학업 계획을 논리적으로 기술했다.
He logically described his study plan in the major transfer statement of purpose.
Adverbial '논리적으로' (logically)
전과가 승인되지 않을 경우를 대비해 차선책을 마련해야 합니다.
You must prepare a backup plan in case the major transfer is not approved.
Noun + 을/를 대비해 (in preparation for)
일부 대학에서는 전과 시 전공 기초 과목 이수를 의무화하고 있다.
Some universities make it mandatory to complete basic major courses when transferring.
Noun + 을/를 의무화하다 (to make mandatory)
전과생들의 중도 탈락률을 낮추기 위한 체계적인 관리가 필요하다.
Systematic management is needed to lower the dropout rate of transfer students.
-(으)기 위한 (in order to)
무분별한 전과는 학과의 정체성을 훼손할 우려가 있습니다.
Indiscriminate major transfers carry the risk of damaging a department's identity.
Noun + 을/를 훼손하다 (to damage/undermine)
학벌 지상주의 사회에서 전과는 일종의 신분 상승 수단으로 여겨지기도 한다.
In a society obsessed with academic pedigree, a major transfer is sometimes considered a means of social climbing.
Passive '여겨지다' (to be considered)
전과 제도의 유연성은 급변하는 산업 구조에 대응하는 인재 양성에 기여한다.
The flexibility of the major transfer system contributes to nurturing talent that responds to rapidly changing industrial structures.
Noun + 에 기여하다 (to contribute to)
교육부는 대학의 전과 자율권을 확대하여 학생들의 학습권을 보장하고 있다.
The Ministry of Education is ensuring students' right to learn by expanding universities' autonomy over major transfers.
-아/어 (connective)
전과 과정에서 겪는 심리적 갈등은 학생의 자아 정체성 형성에 영향을 미친다.
The psychological conflict experienced during the transfer process affects the formation of a student's self-identity.
Noun + 에 영향을 미치다 (to influence)
전과를 둘러싼 학내 구성원들 간의 이해관계가 첨예하게 대립하고 있다.
The interests of campus members surrounding major transfers are in sharp conflict.
Adverbial '첨예하게' (sharply/acutely)
융복합 교육의 확산으로 인해 전과의 경계가 점차 허물어지고 있는 추세이다.
Due to the spread of convergence education, the boundaries of major transfers are gradually breaking down.
Noun + (으)로 인해 (due to)
전과생에 대한 보이지 않는 차별을 철폐하기 위한 제도적 장치가 마련되어야 한다.
Institutional mechanisms must be established to abolish invisible discrimination against transfer students.
Passive '마련되다' (to be prepared/established)
전과는 단순한 학적 변동을 넘어 개인의 삶의 궤적을 바꾸는 중대한 결정이다.
A major transfer is a significant decision that goes beyond a simple change in academic records to change the trajectory of an individual's life.
Noun + 을/를 넘어 (beyond)
Summary
The word 전과 (jeongwa) is essential for discussing university life in Korea. It refers specifically to an internal major transfer. Example: '전과를 하려면 학점 관리가 필수입니다' (GPA management is essential to transfer majors).
- 전과 means changing your major within the same university.
- It is a formal administrative process requiring high grades.
- The word comes from Hanja: 'turn' and 'department'.
- It is different from transferring to a new school (편입).
Verwandte Inhalte
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B2Dreidimensional wirkend oder etwas aus mehreren Perspektiven betrachtend.
~에 관해
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~에 대하여
A2Über oder bezüglich eines bestimmten Themas. 'Ich lerne über die koreanische Geschichte.'
~대해
A2Es bedeutet 'über' oder 'bezüglich'. Man verwendet es, um das Thema eines Gesprächs oder Gedankens anzugeben.
~에 관하여
A2Bezüglich oder über ein Thema. Wird in formalen Situationen wie Berichten oder Reden verwendet.
~에 대해(서)
A1Bezeichnet das Thema oder den Gegenstand einer Diskussion und bedeutet 'über' oder 'bezüglich'. Es wird häufig mit Verben des Sagens oder Denkens verwendet.
무엇보다
A2Vor allem; mehr als alles andere.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2Abstrahieren: etwas theoretisch oder losgelöst von seiner physischen Realität betrachten.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.