결정적 in 30 Sekunden
- Means 'decisive' or 'crucial' in determining an outcome.
- Often used with nouns like 'evidence', 'moment', or 'reason'.
- Stronger than 'important'; implies a final or settling effect.
- Common in sports, law, business, and formal writing.
The word 결정적 (Gyeol-jeong-jeok) is a powerful Korean adjective derived from the Hanja roots 結 (Gyeol - to tie/conclude) and 定 (Jeong - to fix/decide), followed by the suffix 的 (Jeok - -ish/like). In its most literal sense, it describes something that has the quality of a final decision. However, in practical usage, it transcends a simple 'choice' and refers to factors that are decisive, crucial, or pivotal in determining the outcome of a situation. When you call something '결정적', you are saying that without this specific element, the result would have been entirely different.
- Core Nuance
- It implies a 'point of no return' or a 'game-changing' factor.
- Intensity
- Higher than '중요한' (important). It suggests that this factor alone settles the matter.
- Grammatical Function
- Primarily used as a noun-modifying adjective (determiner) or with the copula '이다' (결정적이다).
"그의 실수는 경기의 결정적 패인이 되었다." (His mistake became the decisive cause of the loss in the game.)
Imagine a courtroom drama where a single piece of DNA evidence is found. That evidence isn't just 'important'; it is 결정적 because it settles the verdict. Similarly, in a romantic relationship, a single conversation might be the 결정적 순간 (decisive moment) that leads to a proposal or a breakup. It is the weight of the impact that defines this word.
"이것은 우리 회사의 미래에 결정적인 영향을 미칠 것입니다." (This will have a decisive impact on our company's future.)
In daily life, Koreans use this word to emphasize the magnitude of a reason. If you ask someone why they moved to a certain city, they might list many reasons but highlight one as the 결정적인 이유. It functions as a spotlight, focusing attention on the most significant variable in a complex equation of events.
- Usage in Media
- Often seen in news headlines regarding politics (결정적 국면 - decisive phase) or science (결정적 증거 - decisive evidence).
Using 결정적 correctly requires understanding its placement in a sentence. Most commonly, it acts as a modifier for a noun. You will see it followed by a noun like 증거 (evidence), 순간 (moment), or 요인 (factor). When you want to use it as a predicate (to say something 'is' decisive), you must add the copula -이다 to form 결정적이다.
- As a Modifier: 결정적 + Noun (e.g., 결정적 단서 - decisive clue).
- As a Predicate: Subject + 결정적이다 (e.g., 그 증거는 결정적이다 - That evidence is decisive).
- As an Adverb: 결정적으로 (Decisively/Crucially). This is used to modify verbs or whole sentences.
One of the most frequent pairings is 결정적인 역할 (a decisive role). You can use this to describe a person's contribution to a project or a specific event's influence on a result. For example, "비타민 C는 면역력 강화에 결정적인 역할을 합니다" (Vitamin C plays a decisive role in strengthening immunity).
"결정적으로, 그는 약속 시간에 나타나지 않았어요." (Crucially/Decisively, he didn't show up for the appointment.)
When using the adverbial form 결정적으로, it often acts like the English 'what's more' or 'the final straw'. It introduces the most important point in a list of arguments. If you are explaining why you didn't buy a house, you might list the price and the location, then say "결정적으로, 집 구조가 마음에 안 들었어요" (Most decisively/importantly, I didn't like the layout of the house).
- Common Collocation 1
- 결정적 시기 (Decisive period/Critical period) - often used in child development or business cycles.
- Common Collocation 2
- 결정적 타격 (Decisive blow) - used in sports, war, or business competition.
In formal writing, such as essays or reports, 결정적 is preferred over more colloquial words like '진짜 중요한' (really important). It lends an air of objectivity and analytical depth. However, be careful not to overuse it; if everything is 'decisive', then nothing truly is. Save it for the one factor that truly changed the course of events.
You will encounter 결정적 in various high-stakes environments. It is a staple of Korean news broadcasts, sports commentary, and legal dramas. Understanding where it appears helps you grasp its weight.
1. Sports Broadcasting
In a football match, when a player scores a goal in the 90th minute, the commentator will scream, "결정적인 골입니다!" (It's a decisive goal!). Here, it means the goal that secured the victory. You will also hear about 결정적 찬스 (a decisive/golden opportunity) that a player might have missed.
2. Legal and Crime Dramas
Detectives in K-dramas are always looking for the 결정적 증거 (decisive evidence) or 결정적 단서 (decisive clue). When the protagonist finally finds the CCTV footage that proves the villain's guilt, they will say, "이게 바로 결정적 증거야" (This is the decisive evidence).
3. Business and Economy
During quarterly meetings or economic reports, analysts discuss 결정적 요인 (decisive factors) affecting the market. For instance, "금리 인상이 소비 감소의 결정적 요인이 되었습니다" (The interest rate hike became the decisive factor in the decrease in consumption).
"이번 협상은 양국 관계의 결정적 전환점이 될 것입니다." (This negotiation will be a decisive turning point in the relationship between the two countries.)
4. Educational Contexts
Teachers often talk about the 결정적 시기 (critical period) for language learning. This refers to the window of time where a child can acquire a language most effectively. If you miss this 'decisive period', the process becomes much harder.
While 결정적 is a common word, learners often make subtle errors in its application. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:
1. Confusing '결정적' with '결심'
Learners sometimes confuse 결정 (decision/objective) with 결심 (resolution/subjective). 결심 is about your internal will (e.g., "I decided to quit smoking"). You cannot say "결심적인 이유" to mean a decisive reason. Always use 결정적 for objective importance or impact.
2. Overusing it for Minor Things
Calling a choice of lunch '결정적' sounds melodramatic unless that lunch literally changed your life. For minor importance, use 중요한 (important) or 주요한 (main). 결정적 should be reserved for things that have a 'finalizing' or 'outcome-altering' quality.
3. Incorrect Particle Usage
When using the adverb 결정적으로, learners sometimes forget that it modifies the entire following clause or a specific verb. It shouldn't be used to modify a noun directly.
❌ 결정적으로 증거 (Incorrect)
✅ 결정적인 증거 (Correct - Adjective + Noun)
✅ 결정적으로 작용했다 (Correct - Adverb + Verb)
"그는 결정적 결심을 했다." (He made a decisive resolution - Sounds awkward.)
Better: "그는 중대한 결심을 했다." (He made a significant resolution.)
4. Misunderstanding the Suffix '-적'
Some learners try to conjugate 결정적 like a standard '하다' adjective (e.g., 결정적한). Remember that words ending in -적 are technically nouns that function as adjectives. To use them as a description, you must use -적인 (modifying a noun) or -적이다 (as a predicate).
To truly master 결정적, you must understand how it differs from its synonyms. Korean has many words for 'important' or 'critical', each with a unique flavor.
- 중요하다 (Important)
- The most general term. It means something has value or significance. While all '결정적' things are '중요', not all '중요' things are '결정적'.
- 중대하다 (Great/Grave)
- Used for matters of great scale or serious consequences, like '중대한 범죄' (a grave crime) or '중대한 발표' (a major announcement). It feels heavier and more formal.
- 핵심적 (Core/Key)
- Refers to the 'heart' or 'center' of a matter. A '핵심적 인물' is a key person. While '결정적' focuses on the result, '핵심적' focuses on the essence.
- 치명적 (Fatal/Lethal)
- Used when the impact is so strong it causes failure or death. '치명적인 약점' (a fatal weakness). '결정적' can be positive or negative, but '치명적' is usually negative (unless used as '치명적인 매력' - fatal charm).
"그것은 핵심적인 문제이지만, 아직 결정적인 단계는 아닙니다." (That is a core problem, but it is not yet at a decisive stage.)
When choosing between these, ask yourself: Does this factor settle the outcome? If yes, use 결정적. If it's just very important but doesn't necessarily end the debate, use 중요적 or 중대적.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
-적 (Suffix)
-적인 (Adjective form)
-적으로 (Adverbial form)
-이다 (Copula)
Beispiele nach Niveau
이것은 결정적인 골입니다.
This is a decisive goal.
결정적인 modifies the noun '골'.
그는 결정적인 도움을 주었어요.
He gave decisive help.
Modifies '도움' (help).
결정적인 이유는 돈이었어요.
The decisive reason was money.
Modifies '이유' (reason).
지금이 결정적인 순간이에요.
Now is the decisive moment.
Modifies '순간' (moment).
그것은 결정적이지 않아요.
That is not decisive.
Negative form using -지 않다.
결정적인 증거가 있어요?
Do you have decisive evidence?
Question form.
이것은 결정적인 차이입니다.
This is a decisive difference.
Modifies '차이' (difference).
결정적으로 그는 착해요.
Decisively (Most importantly), he is kind.
Adverbial use.
그의 조언은 결정적인 역할을 했다.
His advice played a decisive role.
결정적인 역할 (decisive role) is a common phrase.
결정적인 실수를 해서 졌어요.
I lost because I made a decisive mistake.
Modifies '실수' (mistake).
이 책은 제 인생에 결정적이었어요.
This book was decisive in my life.
Used as a predicate with -이었다.
결정적인 단서를 찾았습니다.
I found a decisive clue.
Modifies '단서' (clue).
날씨가 결정적인 변수였어요.
The weather was the decisive variable.
Modifies '변수' (variable).
그의 말은 결정적인 타격이었다.
His words were a decisive blow.
Modifies '타격' (blow/hit).
결정적으로 시간이 부족했습니다.
Decisively, there was not enough time.
Adverbial use to explain a result.
결정적인 시기를 놓치지 마세요.
Don't miss the decisive period.
Modifies '시기' (period/time).
CCTV 영상이 결정적 증거가 되었습니다.
The CCTV footage became decisive evidence.
Standard legal/news context.
그 사건은 그의 경력에 결정적이었다.
That incident was decisive for his career.
Predicate use.
결정적으로, 우리는 예산이 없었습니다.
Crucially, we had no budget.
Adverbial use to emphasize the main problem.
이번 투표는 결정적인 영향력을 가집니다.
This vote has a decisive influence.
Modifies '영향력' (influence).
결정적인 순간에 그는 용기를 냈다.
At the decisive moment, he showed courage.
Common phrase '결정적인 순간'.
이것이 두 제품의 결정적 차이점입니다.
This is the decisive difference between the two products.
Modifies '차이점' (point of difference).
그의 부상은 팀에 결정적인 손실이다.
His injury is a decisive loss for the team.
Modifies '손실' (loss).
결정적인 해답을 찾기 위해 노력 중입니다.
We are trying to find a decisive answer.
Modifies '해답' (answer/solution).
그의 발언은 협상에 결정적인 걸림돌이 되었다.
His remarks became a decisive obstacle in the negotiations.
Modifies '걸림돌' (stumbling block/obstacle).
결정적으로 작용하는 요인은 경제적 상황입니다.
The factor that acts decisively is the economic situation.
Adverbial use modifying the verb '작용하다'.
이번 판결은 향후 유사 사례에 결정적인 선례가 될 것이다.
This ruling will be a decisive precedent for similar cases in the future.
Modifies '선례' (precedent).
결정적인 국면을 맞이하여 긴장감이 고조되고 있다.
Tension is rising as we face a decisive phase.
Modifies '국면' (phase/aspect).
그의 실수는 승패를 가르는 결정적 요인이었다.
His mistake was the decisive factor that determined the outcome.
Modifies '요인' (factor).
결정적으로, 그는 자신의 잘못을 인정하지 않았습니다.
Decisively, he did not admit his fault.
Adverbial use to highlight the core issue.
언어 습득에는 결정적 시기 가설이 존재한다.
There exists a critical period hypothesis in language acquisition.
Academic term '결정적 시기'.
그 데이터는 가설을 입증하는 데 결정적이었다.
That data was decisive in proving the hypothesis.
Predicate use.
그의 부재는 프로젝트의 실패에 결정적인 원인을 제공했다.
His absence provided a decisive cause for the project's failure.
Modifies '원인' (cause).
결정적으로, 이 정책은 민심을 읽지 못했습니다.
Crucially, this policy failed to read the public sentiment.
High-level political analysis.
그것은 논쟁의 종지부를 찍는 결정적 한마디였다.
It was the decisive word that put an end to the debate.
Idiomatic expression '종지부를 찍다'.
결정적인 하자가 발견되어 계약이 파기되었습니다.
A decisive flaw was discovered, and the contract was terminated.
Legal term '하자' (flaw/defect).
그의 논문은 해당 분야에 결정적인 기여를 했다.
His thesis made a decisive contribution to the field.
Modifies '기여' (contribution).
결정적으로 작용한 것은 그의 리더십이었다.
What acted decisively was his leadership.
Adverbial use with a nominalized clause.
이 사건은 양국 관계의 결정적 전환점이 될 전망이다.
This incident is expected to be a decisive turning point in bilateral relations.
Modifies '전환점' (turning point).
결정적인 순간에 평정심을 유지하는 것이 중요하다.
It is important to maintain composure at the decisive moment.
Modifies '순간' (moment).
그의 철학은 현대 사상의 흐름에 결정적인 궤적을 남겼다.
His philosophy left a decisive trajectory in the flow of modern thought.
Metaphorical use with '궤적' (trajectory).
결정적으로, 이 이론은 관찰된 현상을 모두 설명하지 못한다.
Decisively, this theory fails to explain all observed phenomena.
Advanced scientific critique.
그 전술은 전쟁의 향방을 결정짓는 결정적 수였다.
That tactic was the decisive move that determined the direction of the war.
Game theory/military context.
결정적인 패착은 상대의 의도를 간과한 것이었다.
The decisive losing move was overlooking the opponent's intention.
Specific term '패착' (losing move).
이 기술의 개발은 산업 구조의 결정적 변혁을 가져올 것이다.
The development of this technology will bring about a decisive transformation of the industrial structure.
Modifies '변혁' (transformation).
결정적으로 작용하는 것은 시스템의 내재적 모순이다.
What acts decisively is the inherent contradiction of the system.
Philosophical/Sociological analysis.
그의 연설은 대중의 마음을 움직이는 결정적 계기가 되었다.
His speech became the decisive trigger for moving the hearts of the masses.
Modifies '계기' (trigger/opportunity).
결정적인 증거가 부재한 상황에서 판결을 내리기는 어렵다.
It is difficult to pass a judgment in a situation where decisive evidence is absent.
Formal legal phrasing.
Synonyme
Gegenteile
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
It implies that the result is now fixed because of this factor.
Very high in professional and media contexts.
- Using '결심적' instead of '결정적'.
- Saying '결정적한' instead of '결정적인'.
- Using it to describe a person's personality (use '결단력' instead).
- Overusing it for trivial daily choices.
- Forgetting the '인' when modifying a noun.
Tipps
Noun Pairing
Always try to learn it with its common nouns like 증거, 순간, 이유.
Adverbial Use
Use '결정적으로' at the start of a sentence to emphasize your main point.
Emphasis
When you say '결정적', you are telling the listener 'this is the most important part'.
Formal Tone
Use this word in reports to show you have identified the key variable.
News Context
When you hear this on the news, pay close attention to the noun that follows.
Societal Weight
Understand that in Korea, certain 'moments' are seen as life-defining (결정적).
Avoid Overuse
If you use it too much, it loses its power. Save it for truly big things.
Switching
Try replacing '중요한' with '결정적인' when the importance is about the final result.
Clear Ending
Make sure to pronounce the final 'k' sound (ㄱ 받침) clearly.
Final Piece
Think of it as the final piece of a puzzle that completes the picture.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Sino-Korean
Kultureller Kontext
A favorite word for dramatic news headlines.
Essential for describing winning plays in baseball and soccer.
Used frequently in child development and educational psychology.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"한국어를 배우기로 한 결정적인 계기가 뭐예요?"
"축구 경기에서 가장 결정적인 순간은 언제였나요?"
"인생에서 가장 결정적인 선택은 무엇이었습니까?"
"성공을 위한 결정적인 요인이 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"
"그 영화에서 가장 결정적인 장면은 무엇이었나요?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
내 인생의 결정적인 전환점에 대해 써보세요.
오늘 하루 중 가장 결정적인 순간은 언제였나요?
내가 내린 결정적인 선택들 중 하나를 반성해 보세요.
성공적인 삶을 위해 결정적인 역할을 하는 습관은 무엇인가요?
어떤 결정적인 증거가 내 생각을 바꾸게 했나요?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's better to use '중요한' for small things. '결정적' sounds very serious and final.
'결정적' is the root/noun form. '결정적인' is the form used to modify a noun.
Yes, it is used to highlight the most important point in a series of facts.
Yes, like a '결정적인 도움' (decisive help) that leads to success.
Yes, it is quite formal but used in daily speech for emphasis.
You would usually say '결단력 있는 사람' rather than '결정적인 사람'.
Yes, it is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja).
No, the adverb form is '결정적으로'.
It refers to a 'critical period', often used in learning or development.
Yes, very frequently to describe winning goals or plays.
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Summary
Use '결정적' when you want to highlight the single most important factor that changed the course of events or settled a final decision. It is the 'game-changer' word in Korean.
- Means 'decisive' or 'crucial' in determining an outcome.
- Often used with nouns like 'evidence', 'moment', or 'reason'.
- Stronger than 'important'; implies a final or settling effect.
- Common in sports, law, business, and formal writing.
Noun Pairing
Always try to learn it with its common nouns like 증거, 순간, 이유.
Adverbial Use
Use '결정적으로' at the start of a sentence to emphasize your main point.
Emphasis
When you say '결정적', you are telling the listener 'this is the most important part'.
Formal Tone
Use this word in reports to show you have identified the key variable.
Beispiel
그의 증언이 범인을 잡는 데 결정적인 역할을 했습니다.
Verwandte Inhalte
Ähnliche Regeln
Mehr general Wörter
몇몇
A2Einige; ein paar.
조금
A1Ich spreche ein bisschen Koreanisch. (한국어를 조금 해요.)
적게
A1Wenig, in geringer Menge. Wird verwendet, um eine Handlung zu beschreiben, die sparsam ausgeführt wird.
약간
A2Ein bisschen; etwas; leicht. Wird verwendet, um eine geringe Menge oder einen niedrigen Grad zu beschreiben.
많이
A1Viel / Sehr. 'Ich habe viel gelernt' (공부 많이 했어요). 'Es ist sehr kalt' (많이 추워요).
잠시
A2Für einen Moment; kurz. 'Bitte warten Sie einen Moment.' (잠시만 기다려 주세요.) 'Ich bin in Kürze zurück.' (잠시 후에 돌아오겠습니다.)
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2Vorhin, vor kurzer Zeit. Ich habe ihn vorhin im Büro gesehen.
대해
A2Bedeutet 'über' oder 'bezüglich'. Es wird verwendet, um das Thema eines Gesprächs oder eines Gedankens einzuleiten.
~에 대해서
A2Über; in Bezug auf.
