기안하다

Hey there! 기안하다 is a super useful word if you want to sound professional in a Korean office. At its core, it means to draft a proposal or an official document.

Think of it as the very first step in getting something approved. You aren't just writing a letter; you are creating a formal plan that needs a green light from your boss. It’s all about structure and professional intent!

You will hear this word constantly in corporate environments. Whether you are suggesting a new marketing campaign or a budget change, you are 기안하는 중 (in the process of drafting). It’s not for casual texts to friends—save this one for when you need to show off your professional side.

The word 기안하다 comes from Sino-Korean roots. The character 기 (起) means 'to rise' or 'to start,' and 안 (案) means 'a plan,' 'a proposal,' or 'a desk/table.'

Historically, this refers to the act of 'starting a plan' that is placed on the desk for consideration. In the old days of the Joseon dynasty, officials would draft plans (안) to present to the King or higher-ranking ministers. The 'rising' part (기) implies the birth of an idea that moves upward through the hierarchy.

It’s fascinating how the word has kept its administrative weight for centuries. While the technology has changed from ink and paper to digital documents, the core meaning of 'starting a formal proposal' remains exactly the same. It’s a bridge between ancient bureaucratic tradition and modern office life.

You use 기안하다 when you are the person responsible for starting the paperwork. It is almost exclusively used in business or formal government contexts.

Common collocations include 기안서를 작성하다 (to write a proposal document) or 기안을 올리다 (to submit a proposal). You wouldn't use this for writing a diary or a casual email to a friend.

The register is high formal. If you are talking to your coworkers, you might say, "I'm working on the draft," but in a meeting, you would use "기안하고 있습니다" to sound precise. It shows you understand the formal protocol of your workplace.

1. 기안을 올리다: To submit a proposal for approval. This is the most common phrase used in offices.

2. 기안이 통과되다: For a proposal to be approved. This is the goal of every draft!

3. 기안을 반려하다: To reject or send back a proposal. Not a fun day at the office.

4. 기안을 검토하다: To review a proposal. This is what the boss does before saying yes.

5. 기안을 수정하다: To revise a proposal. Often happens after the first draft is reviewed.

Grammatically, 기안하다 functions as a regular verb. It follows the standard Korean conjugation rules (기안합니다, 기안했다, 기안할 것이다).

Pronunciation-wise, it is pronounced [기안하다] with a clear emphasis on the first two syllables. Be careful not to slur the '안' sound; it should be crisp. It rhymes slightly with '제안하다' (to suggest), which is a related but broader concept.

In terms of usage, it is almost always used with the object marker '을/를' (e.g., 기안을 하다). It is a transitive verb that requires a specific document or plan as its target.