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A2 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

학력

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At the A1 level, you only need to know that 학력 (hak-ryeok) means 'school history.' Think of it as a list of the schools you have attended. At this stage, you don't need to use it in complex sentences. Instead, focus on recognizing it when you see it on a form or in a simple profile. You might see it next to words like '학교' (school) or '이름' (name). It is pronounced like 'hang-nyeok.' Even though it looks like 'hak-ryeok,' the sounds change to make it easier to say. If someone asks for your '학력,' they just want to know if you went to elementary school, middle school, high school, or university. It is a very formal word, so you won't use it with your friends, but you will see it in books and on applications.

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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 학력 (hak-ryeok) in simple sentences about yourself or others. You can use it to describe your highest level of education. For example, '제 최종 학력은 대학교 졸업입니다' (My final educational background is university graduation). You should also understand that this word is very important in Korean culture. People often talk about it when they discuss getting a job. You might hear the phrase '학력이 중요해요' (Educational background is important). At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse it with '공부' (studying). '공부' is what you do every day, but '학력' is the result you have after you finish school. Remember the pronunciation [hang-nyeok]!

At the B1 level, you can use 학력 to discuss more complex social topics. You should be familiar with common collocations like '학력을 쌓다' (to build one's academic background) and '학력 위조' (faking academic background). You might participate in a discussion about whether '학력' is more important than '경력' (work experience) in the modern job market. You should also be able to understand more formal documents, such as job advertisements that list '학력 무관' (regardless of education background). This is a good time to start using the word in writing, especially in a self-introduction (자기소개서). You can explain how your 학력 has prepared you for your goals.

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At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between 학력 and 학벌. While 학력 is your personal academic record, 학벌 refers to the social prestige and networks associated with specific top-tier schools. You can use 학력 to talk about societal trends, such as '학력 인플레이션' (academic inflation) or '학력 격차' (educational gap). Your sentences should become more sophisticated, using the word as a noun that can be modified by various adjectives and verbs. You should also be able to follow news reports about educational reform and understand how 학력 plays a role in government policies. You should be comfortable using the word in a professional interview to describe your qualifications in detail.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural weight of 학력 in Korean society. You can analyze how the '학력 사회' (society based on academic background) influences everything from the economy to mental health. You should be able to use the word in academic writing or professional presentations, discussing concepts like '학력별 임금 격차' (wage gap by educational level). You are also expected to handle the homonym '학력' (學力 - scholastic ability) without confusion, using context to determine which one is meant. You can use idiomatic expressions like '가방끈이 길다' appropriately in conversation and understand the subtle social cues when people discuss their alma mater.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 학력. You can engage in high-level debates about the ethics of '학력 위조' or the transition from a '학력 중심 사회' (education-centered society) to a '능력 중심 사회' (ability-centered society). You understand the legal definitions of 학력 and how they apply to international degree recognition. Your usage is flawless across all registers, from highly formal legal documents to casual social commentary. You can synthesize information from various sources regarding educational statistics and use 학력 to frame complex sociological arguments. You are also sensitive to the emotional and social implications the word carries for different generations of Koreans.

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학력 in 30 Sekunden

Educational background or academic qualifications.
Used formally in resumes, news, and social contexts.
Pronounced as [항녁] (hang-nyeok).
Often contrasted with '실력' (actual skill).

The Korean word 학력 (學歷) is a foundational noun in the Korean language, particularly within the context of social hierarchy, professional development, and the educational system. At its core, it refers to one's educational background or academic qualifications. Unlike the word '공부' (study), which refers to the act of learning, or '실력' (ability), which refers to actual skills, 학력 specifically focuses on the formal record of schools attended and degrees obtained. In South Korean society, which is deeply influenced by Neo-Confucian values that prioritize scholarship, 학력 serves as a vital credential that can determine one's career path, social standing, and even marriage prospects.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of two Hanja (Chinese characters): 학 (學), meaning 'to learn' or 'study', and 력 (歷), meaning 'history', 'path', or 'record'. Together, they literally mean 'the history of one's learning'.

You will most frequently encounter this word in formal settings. For instance, when filling out a resume (이력서), there is almost always a section dedicated to 학력. Employers use this to verify if a candidate meets the minimum educational requirements for a position. It is also a common topic in news reports discussing the 'academic inflation' in Korea, where a high percentage of the population holds university degrees, leading to intense competition.

이력서에 학력 사항을 정확하게 기재해 주세요. (Please write your educational background accurately on the resume.)

Beyond the professional sphere, 학력 is used in sociological discussions about '학력 사회' (a society obsessed with academic background). This term describes a culture where an individual's worth is often pre-judged based on the prestige of their alma mater. While this is changing with the rise of 'blind recruitment' (블라인드 채용), the term remains central to understanding Korean social dynamics.

Usage in Daily Life: While not a word used in casual banter between friends (who might use '학교 어디 나왔어?' instead), it is the standard term in any official document, news broadcast, or formal introduction.

그는 학력 위조 논란으로 사퇴했다. (He resigned due to the controversy over faking his educational background.)

In summary, 학력 is a high-frequency, formal noun that encapsulates the history of one's institutional education. Whether you are applying for a job, reading a biography, or discussing Korean society, understanding this word provides deep insight into the structural priorities of the Korean people.

Using 학력 correctly requires understanding its typical verbal pairings and grammatical structures. Since it is a noun representing a record or status, it often appears as the object of verbs like '기재하다' (to record/fill in), '위조하다' (to forge), or '중시하다' (to value). It also frequently acts as a subject for adjectives like '높다' (high) or '낮다' (low), though these are relative terms referring to the level of degree achieved (e.g., graduate school vs. high school).

Verb Pairings

학력을 쌓다: To build up one's educational background (by studying further).
학력을 속이다: To lie about one's education.
학력을 인정받다: To have one's educational background recognized (often in a foreign country).

When describing someone with an impressive education, you might say '학력이 화려하다' (to have a 'glittering' or impressive academic background). Conversely, discussions about social inequality often mention '학력 격차' (the gap in educational background). Note that 학력 is almost never used for short-term courses or informal training; it is reserved for formal schooling from primary school through doctoral programs.

그 회사는 학력보다는 실력을 더 중요하게 생각합니다. (That company values skill more than educational background.)

In a sentence, 학력 often takes the particle '은/는' or '이/가' when it is the focus of the statement. For example, '학력은 중요하지 않아요' (Educational background isn't important). When used as a modifier, it often takes the form '학력별' (by educational level) or '학력상' (in terms of educational background).

최종 학력이 어떻게 되십니까? (What is your final/highest educational background?)

Understanding these patterns allows you to discuss education in a way that sounds natural and professional. It shifts your speech from simple student-level Korean to the more sophisticated vocabulary required for adult life and professional environments in Korea.

You will encounter 학력 in several distinct environments. The most common is the corporate recruitment process. From the job posting (채용 공고) to the interview (면접), the term is used to define eligibility. You might see phrases like '학력 무관' (regardless of educational background), which is a modern trend where companies emphasize talent over diplomas.

News and Media: Korean news frequently discusses '학력 위조' (academic fraud) scandals involving celebrities or politicians. Because academic prestige is so high, faking a degree from a top university like SNU, Harvard, or Oxford is a recurring theme in both real-life news and K-Dramas.

In biographies and profiles, 학력 is a standard heading. If you look up a famous Korean actor or singer on a portal site like Naver or Daum, their profile will list their '학력' right alongside their height, weight, and debut date. This reflects the cultural importance placed on which school a person attended.

뉴스에서 학력 인플레이션 문제에 대해 보도했다. (The news reported on the problem of academic background inflation.)

Another place you will hear it is in educational policy discussions. The Korean Ministry of Education often uses the term when discussing '학력 격차' (educational gap) between students from different socio-economic backgrounds, particularly in the context of private tutoring (사교육). During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was significant concern about '학력 저하' (decline in academic achievement levels), though in that specific context, it refers to the ability (學力) rather than the history (學歷).

이 직업은 학력 제한이 없습니다. (This job has no restrictions on educational background.)

Finally, in social networking, older generations especially might ask about one's 학력 to find common ground or establish a social hierarchy. While younger generations find this intrusive, the 'Alumni' (동문) culture in Korea is very strong, and knowing someone's 학력 is the gateway to those networks.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 학력 is confusing it with similar-sounding or related terms. The most frequent confusion is with 실력 (skill/ability). While a person might have a 'high' 학력 (e.g., a PhD from a top university), they might lack the actual 실력 to perform a specific job. In Korean, it is common to contrast these two: '학력은 좋지만 실력은 부족하다' (Their education is good, but their skills are lacking).

Pronunciation Pitfall: A major stumbling block for beginners is the pronunciation. Due to Korean phonological rules (nasalization), 학력 is not pronounced as written [hak-ryeok]. Instead, the 'ㄱ' (k) sound changes to 'ㅇ' (ng) and the 'ㄹ' (r) sound changes to 'ㄴ' (n) because of the following consonant. The correct pronunciation is [항녁] (hang-nyeok). Saying [hak-ryeok] sounds very unnatural and is hard for Koreans to understand.

Another mistake is using the wrong adjective. Learners often try to use '많다' (many) or '적다' (few) with 학력. However, 학력 is treated as a level or status. Therefore, you should use 높다 (high) for a high level of education or 낮다 (low) for a lower level. For example, '학력이 높다' is correct, while '학력이 많다' is incorrect.

❌ 그 사람은 학력이 많아요. (Incorrect)
✅ 그 사람은 학력이 높아요. (Correct)

Additionally, do not confuse 학력 (academic background) with 경력 (work experience). On a resume, these are two separate sections. 학력 covers your time in school, while 경력 covers your time in the workforce. Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion during job interviews.

Finally, avoid using 학력 when you simply want to ask where someone is currently studying. For that, use '어느 학교에 다녀요?' (Which school do you go to?). 학력 is a more abstract, overarching term for one's entire educational history.

To truly master the vocabulary of education in Korean, you must distinguish 학력 from several closely related words. While they all touch upon the theme of school and learning, their specific applications differ significantly.

학력 vs. 학벌 (Hakbeol): This is the most nuanced distinction. 학력 refers to the level of education (e.g., university graduate). 학벌 refers to the prestige or the specific 'clique' of the school attended (e.g., being a graduate of Seoul National University). While 학력 is a neutral record, 학벌 often carries a socio-political connotation regarding elitism.

Another important comparison is with 전공 (major). When someone asks about your 학력, they want to know your degrees and schools. If they ask about your 전공, they want to know the specific field of study (e.g., Biology, History). On a resume, 학력 is the category, and 전공 is a sub-detail within that category.

그는 학력은 좋지만 전공 지식은 부족하다. (His educational background is good, but his major-specific knowledge is lacking.)

학위 (Hak-wi) vs. 학력: 학위 means 'degree' (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD). 학력 is the sum of these degrees and the history of obtaining them. You 'get' a 학위, but you 'have' a 학력.

For a more informal way to talk about education, Koreans often use 가방끈 (literally 'bag strap'). A common idiom is '가방끈이 길다' (to have a long bag strap), which is a humorous or slightly self-deprecating way to say someone has a high 학력 (implying they carried a school bag for many years).

In professional contexts, if you want to emphasize the quality of education rather than just the record, you might use 교육 이수 (completion of education/training). However, 학력 remains the most standard and universally understood term for one's academic history.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The character 歷 (력) used in 학력 is the same character used in 'history' (역사) and 'calendar' (달력), emphasizing that education is seen as a chronological record of one's life.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /hæŋ.njʌk/

US /hæŋ.njʌk/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the first syllable [hang] is slightly more prominent.

Reimt sich auf

강력 (gang-nyeok - powerful) 경력 (gyeong-nyeok - experience) 능력 (neung-nyeok - ability) 노력 (no-ryeok - effort - note: this one doesn't nasalize the same way) 병력 (byeong-nyeok - military strength) 영력 (yeong-nyeok - spiritual power) 전력 (jeon-nyeok - previous record) 활력 (hwal-ryeok - vitality)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as [hak-ryeok] (with a hard 'k' and 'r').
Forgetting the nasalization rule where ㄱ + ㄹ becomes ㅇ + ㄴ.
Confusing it with '항력' (drag/resistance) which is pronounced the same.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize on forms and in news headlines once the Hanja roots are known.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires correct spelling and understanding of which verbs (쌓다, 위조하다) it pairs with.

Sprechen 4/5

Difficult due to the non-intuitive pronunciation [항녁].

Hören 4/5

Hard to catch because it sounds different from its spelling.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

학교 공부 졸업 이름 회사

Als Nächstes lernen

경력 이력서 전공 학위 자격증

Fortgeschritten

학벌 학력주의 수능 사교육 공교육

Wichtige Grammatik

Nasalization (비음화)

학력 -> [항녁], 국립 -> [궁닙]

Comparison with 보다

학력보다 실력이 중요해요.

Modifying Nouns with -(으)ㄴ/는

높은 학력을 가진 사람

Expressing Importance with 중시하다

학력을 중시하는 문화

Listing with -와/과

학력과 경력

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Beispiele nach Niveau

학력이 뭐예요?

What is educational background?

'뭐예요' is the polite question form of 'to be'.

이름과 학력을 쓰세요.

Write your name and educational background.

'-(으)세요' is a polite command suffix.

저는 대학교 학력이 있습니다.

I have a university educational background.

'있습니다' is the formal polite form of 'to have'.

학력은 중요해요.

Educational background is important.

'중요해요' is the polite form of 'to be important'.

그는 학력이 높아요.

He has a high educational background.

'높아요' is used for levels like education or height.

학력 서류를 주세요.

Please give me the education documents.

'주세요' means 'please give'.

제 학력은 고등학교 졸업입니다.

My educational background is high school graduation.

'졸업' means graduation.

학력을 확인해요.

I am checking the educational background.

'확인해요' means 'to check' or 'to verify'.

최종 학력이 어떻게 되세요?

What is your final educational background?

'어떻게 되세요' is a polite way to ask for personal details.

학력보다는 실력이 더 중요합니다.

Skill is more important than educational background.

'보다' is used for comparisons, meaning 'than'.

이력서에 학력을 적어 주세요.

Please write your educational background on the resume.

'적다' means 'to write down'.

그녀는 학력을 속이지 않았어요.

She did not lie about her educational background.

'-지 않았어요' is the past negative form.

학력이 낮아도 성공할 수 있어요.

You can succeed even if your educational background is low.

'-아/어도' means 'even if' or 'although'.

학력 증명서가 필요합니다.

An educational certificate is required.

'필요합니다' means 'to be needed'.

그의 학력은 화려합니다.

His educational background is impressive (glittering).

'화려하다' usually means 'splendid' or 'fancy'.

학력 제한이 없는 회사입니다.

It is a company with no educational background restrictions.

'제한' means 'restriction' or 'limit'.

그는 새로운 학력을 쌓기 위해 유학을 갔다.

He went abroad to study to build a new academic background.

'-기 위해' means 'in order to'.

한국 사회는 학력을 아주 중시합니다.

Korean society values educational background very much.

'중시하다' means 'to value' or 'to place importance on'.

학력 위조는 큰 사회적 문제입니다.

Faking academic background is a big social problem.

'위조' means 'forgery' or 'faking'.

그는 뛰어난 학력에도 불구하고 취직이 안 됐다.

Despite his excellent educational background, he couldn't get a job.

'-에도 불구하고' means 'despite'.

지원자의 학력 사항을 꼼꼼히 검토하세요.

Carefully review the applicant's educational background details.

'꼼꼼히' means 'carefully' or 'meticulously'.

그의 학력은 이 분야와 관련이 없습니다.

His educational background is not related to this field.

'관련이 없다' means 'to have no relation'.

학력별로 연봉 차이가 있을 수 있습니다.

There may be a salary difference based on educational background.

'-별로' means 'by' or 'classified by'.

해외 학력을 국내에서 인정받기 어렵다.

It is difficult to have overseas academic backgrounds recognized domestically.

'인정받다' means 'to be recognized'.

학력 인플레이션 현상이 심화되고 있다.

The phenomenon of academic inflation is intensifying.

'심화되다' means 'to deepen' or 'to intensify'.

정부는 학력 격차를 해소하기 위해 노력 중이다.

The government is working to resolve the educational background gap.

'해소하다' means 'to resolve' or 'to eliminate'.

학력보다는 실무 능력을 우선시하는 추세다.

The trend is to prioritize practical skills over educational background.

'우선시하다' means 'to prioritize'.

그 배우는 고졸 학력으로 대스타가 되었다.

That actor became a big star with a high school graduate background.

'고졸' is short for '고등학교 졸업' (high school graduate).

학력 사회의 폐단을 비판하는 목소리가 높다.

There are many voices criticizing the evils of a society based on academic background.

'폐단' means 'evil' or 'negative effect'.

부모의 경제력이 자녀의 학력에 영향을 미친다.

Parents' economic power influences their children's educational background.

'영향을 미치다' means 'to influence' or 'to affect'.

그는 자신의 학력을 부풀려 말하곤 했다.

He used to exaggerate his educational background.

'부풀리다' means 'to exaggerate' or 'to inflate'.

학력 중심의 채용 방식이 변하고 있습니다.

The education-centered recruitment method is changing.

'중심' means 'centered' or 'focused'.

학력주의는 한국 사회의 고질적인 문제 중 하나이다.

Academic elitism is one of the chronic problems of Korean society.

'고질적' means 'chronic' or 'long-standing'.

그는 학력 위조 파문으로 인해 공직에서 물러났다.

He stepped down from public office due to the academic fraud scandal.

'파문' means 'scandal' or 'ripple effect'.

학력과 소득 수준 사이에는 밀접한 상관관계가 존재한다.

There is a close correlation between educational background and income level.

'상관관계' means 'correlation'.

시대가 변하면서 학력의 가치가 예전만 못하다.

As times change, the value of educational background is not what it used to be.

'예전만 못하다' means 'not as good as before'.

그는 학력 콤플렉스를 극복하고 자수성가했다.

He overcame his education complex and became a self-made man.

'자수성가' means 'making one's own fortune'.

학력 세탁을 위해 대학원에 진학하는 경우도 있다.

There are cases where people go to graduate school for 'education laundering'.

'학력 세탁' is a slang term for improving one's academic record late in life.

학력에 따른 차별은 법적으로 금지되어 있다.

Discrimination based on educational background is legally prohibited.

'금지되어 있다' is the passive state of 'to prohibit'.

그의 학력은 전문성을 입증하기에 충분하다.

His educational background is sufficient to prove his expertise.

'입증하다' means 'to prove' or 'to substantiate'.

능력 중심 사회로의 이행은 학력의 절대적 권위를 약화시켰다.

The transition to a merit-based society has weakened the absolute authority of educational background.

'이행' means 'transition' or 'implementation'.

학력 인플레이션은 고학력 실업자 양산이라는 부작용을 낳았다.

Academic inflation has resulted in the side effect of producing mass numbers of highly educated unemployed people.

'양산' means 'mass production'.

그의 논문은 학력 사회에 대한 통찰력 있는 분석을 담고 있다.

His thesis contains an insightful analysis of the education-based society.

'통찰력' means 'insight'.

학력이라는 굴레에서 벗어나 진정한 자아를 찾아야 한다.

One must break free from the shackles of educational background and find their true self.

'굴레' means 'shackles' or 'yoke'.

정치인의 학력 검증은 국민의 알 권리에 해당한다.

Verifying a politician's academic background falls under the public's right to know.

'해당하다' means 'to correspond to' or 'to fall under'.

학력은 개인의 성취를 나타내는 지표 중 하나일 뿐이다.

Educational background is merely one of many indicators representing an individual's achievement.

'지표' means 'indicator' or 'index'.

사회적 자본으로서의 학력은 여전히 강력한 힘을 발휘한다.

Educational background as social capital still exerts powerful influence.

'발휘하다' means 'to exert' or 'to display'.

학력의 세습은 사회적 이동성을 저해하는 요인이 된다.

The inheritance of academic background becomes a factor that hinders social mobility.

'저해하다' means 'to hinder' or 'to impede'.

Häufige Kollokationen

학력이 높다

학력을 위조하다

학력을 쌓다

최종 학력

학력 무관

학력 격차

학력 사회

학력 제한

학력 증명서

학력 인플레이션

Häufige Phrasen

학력이 화려하다

— To have an impressive or prestigious academic background.

그는 해외 명문대 출신으로 학력이 화려하다.

학력을 속이다

— To lie about or misrepresent one's education.

면접에서 학력을 속이는 것은 위험하다.

학력 위조 논란

— A controversy regarding faked educational credentials.

그 장관 후보자는 학력 위조 논란에 휩싸였다.

학력을 인정받다

— To have one's previous education recognized as valid.

그는 미국에서 한국 학력을 인정받았다.

학력 파괴

— The trend of ignoring academic background in favor of talent.

최근 IT 업계에는 학력 파괴 바람이 불고 있다.

고학력 실업자

— Unemployed individuals who possess high-level degrees.

고학력 실업자 문제가 갈수록 심각해지고 있다.

학력별 임금

— Wages categorized by the level of education achieved.

학력별 임금 격차가 여전히 존재한다.

학력 콤플렉스

— An inferiority complex regarding one's level of education.

그는 낮은 학력 때문에 학력 콤플렉스가 있었다.

학력 세탁

— Improving one's academic record by attending a more prestigious graduate school.

그는 학력 세탁을 위해 명문대 대학원에 진학했다.

최종 학력 증명

— Verification of one's highest level of education.

최종 학력 증명을 위해 졸업 증명서를 떼어 왔다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

학력 vs 실력

학력 is what you studied (on paper), 실력 is what you can actually do.

학력 vs 학벌

학력 is the level (degree), 학벌 is the prestige (which specific school).

학력 vs 학업

학력 is the record/history, 학업 is the ongoing process of studying.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"가방끈이 길다"

— To have a high level of education (literally 'the bag strap is long').

그 집 자식들은 모두 가방끈이 길다.

Informal

"가방끈이 짧다"

— To have a low level of education (literally 'the bag strap is short').

나는 가방끈이 짧아서 어려운 말은 잘 모른다.

Informal

"간판을 따다"

— To obtain a degree from a prestigious school specifically for the status (literally 'to get a signboard').

그는 오로지 간판을 따기 위해 그 대학에 갔다.

Colloquial

"학벌이 깡패다"

— A slang expression meaning that having a prestigious degree makes everything easier.

요즘 세상엔 학벌이 깡패라는 말이 딱 맞다.

Slang

"박사 따기"

— To obtain a PhD, often used to imply a long and arduous process.

박사 따기가 하늘의 별 따기만큼 어렵다.

Neutral

"학력의 굴레"

— The constraints or limitations imposed by one's academic background.

그는 학력의 굴레에서 벗어나기 위해 노력했다.

Literary

"얼굴이 명함이다"

— While not directly about education, it implies status; sometimes used when education isn't needed.

그는 워낙 유명해서 얼굴이 명함이다.

Colloquial

"줄을 잘 서다"

— To align oneself with the right academic clique or 'hakbeol'.

한국 사회에서는 줄을 잘 서는 것도 학력만큼 중요하다.

Colloquial

"개천에서 용 나다"

— A dragon rising from a stream; refers to someone from a humble background achieving high status through education.

그는 개천에서 용 난 케이스로 유명하다.

Idiomatic

"공부에는 끝이 없다"

— There is no end to learning; often used when someone continues their education.

학력을 계속 쌓는 것을 보니 정말 공부에는 끝이 없는 것 같다.

Proverb

Leicht verwechselbar

학력 vs 학력 (學力)

Same Hangul and pronunciation.

One means 'background' (history), the other means 'scholastic ability' (skill). In modern usage, 'achievement' is often called '학업 성취도' to avoid confusion.

기초 학력 평가를 실시했다. (They conducted a basic scholastic ability evaluation.)

학력 vs 경력

Both appear on resumes.

학력 is education; 경력 is work experience.

학력과 경력을 모두 적으세요.

학력 vs 학위

Related to education levels.

학위 is the specific certificate (the 'degree'); 학력 is the whole background.

박사 학위를 받았다.

학력 vs 학벌

Similar social meaning.

학벌 emphasizes the 'clique' or 'prestige' of the institution.

학벌 위주의 채용.

학력 vs 이력

General term for history.

이력 is broader (can include prizes, projects); 학력 is strictly schools.

그는 특이한 이력을 가졌다.

Satzmuster

제 학력은 [School/Level]입니다.

제 학력은 대학교 졸업입니다.

[Person]은/는 학력이 높아요/낮아요.

우리 형은 학력이 높아요.

학력보다는 [Noun]이/가 더 중요해요.

학력보다는 경험이 더 중요해요.

[Noun]은/는 학력 제한이 없어요.

이 직업은 학력 제한이 없어요.

학력을 [Verb]하기 위해 [Action]해요.

학력을 높이기 위해 대학원에 가요.

학력에 따라 [Noun]이/가 달라요.

학력에 따라 월급이 달라요.

학력 위조 논란에 휩싸이다.

그 정치인은 학력 위조 논란에 휩싸였다.

학력 사회의 폐단을 극복하다.

우리는 학력 사회의 폐단을 극복해야 합니다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

고학력 (high education)

저학력 (low education)

학력 사회 (education-based society)

학력 위조 (academic fraud)

학력 격차 (education gap)

Verben

학력을 쌓다 (to build background)

학력을 높이다 (to raise education level)

학력을 속이다 (to fake background)

Adjektive

학력 중심의 (education-centered)

학력 무관의 (regardless of education)

Verwandt

학교 (school)

학생 (student)

학위 (degree)

학업 (studies)

학자 (scholar)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in professional and educational contexts; medium in daily casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as [hak-ryeok]. → [항녁] (hang-nyeok)
Korean phonology requires nasalization when 'ㄱ' meets 'ㄹ'. The spelling does not change, but the sound does.
Using '많다' (many) for education. → 학력이 높다 (high)
Education is viewed as a level or status, not a countable quantity of items.
Confusing '학력' with '경력'. → 학력 (Education), 경력 (Work Experience)
Learners often mix these up on resumes. '학' is for school, '경' is for career/experience.
Using '학력' for a 2-week hobby course. → 이수 (completion) or 교육 (training)
'학력' is reserved for formal, long-term institutional degrees (High school, Uni, etc.).
Thinking '학력' and '학벌' are exactly the same. → 학력 (Level), 학벌 (Prestige/School name)
While related, '학벌' is a more loaded term regarding social cliques and elite status.

Tipps

Master the Nasalization

Always remember that '학력' sounds like 'hang-nyeok'. If you say 'hak-ryeok', Koreans might think you are saying '학력' (scholastic ability) but mispronouncing it, or they simply won't understand you at all. Practice the transition from the back of the throat (ㅇ) to the teeth (ㄴ).

Understand the Weight

In Korea, '학력' is often seen as a reflection of a person's diligence and family support. When someone mentions their '학력', they are sharing a piece of their social identity. Be respectful of all backgrounds.

Resume Accuracy

Never exaggerate your '학력' on a Korean resume. '학력 위조' (forging education) is a major crime and a career-ender in Korea. Companies often perform background checks by requesting '졸업 증명서' (graduation certificates).

Learn the Levels

To use '학력' well, learn the abbreviations: 초졸 (Elem), 중졸 (Middle), 고졸 (High), 대졸 (Uni), 석사 (Master's), 박사 (PhD). These are the building blocks of any '학력' discussion.

Identify the Hanja

If you see '학력' in a math textbook, it's (學力 - ability). If you see it on a job site, it's (學歷 - background). Context is your best friend.

Use with '사항'

On forms, look for the heading '학력 사항'. This is where you list your schools in reverse chronological order (newest first).

Listen for '최종'

'최종 학력' (highest/final education) is the most common phrase you'll hear in interviews. Be ready to answer with your highest degree.

The 'Sky' Factor

In the context of '학력', you'll often hear about 'SKY' (Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei universities). Graduates from these schools are said to have the 'best' 학력 in Korea.

Adjective Choice

Always use '높다' or '낮다' for education levels. Never use '크다' (big) or '작다' (small). '학력이 높다' is the standard way to say someone is highly educated.

Asking Indirectly

Instead of asking '학력이 어떻게 되세요?' which can be too direct, try asking '전공이 뭐예요?' (What is your major?) to start a conversation about education.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Hang' (as in hanging a diploma on the wall) and 'Nyuck' (as in the next step in your career). You hang your diploma to show your 학력.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a staircase where each step represents a school level (Elementary, Middle, High, Uni). The entire staircase is your 학력.

Word Web

학교 (School) 졸업 (Graduation) 학위 (Degree) 이력서 (Resume) 취업 (Employment) 대학 (University) 공부 (Study) 전공 (Major)

Herausforderung

Try to describe your own educational history using the word 학력 in three sentences. Use '최종 학력' for your highest level.

Wortherkunft

Derived from Middle Chinese '學歷' (xué-lì).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The record of one's studies or learning path.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when asking about someone's 학력 in Korea. While common, it can be a sensitive topic for those who did not attend prestigious schools or who had to stop their education early due to financial reasons.

In English, we usually say 'educational background' or 'academic history'. 'Educational background' is the most direct equivalent to 학력.

The 2019 movie 'Parasite' (기생충) features a key plot point involving '학력 위조' (forgery of university documents). Tablo, a famous rapper, faced a massive controversy (TaJinYo) regarding his Stanford 학력. K-Dramas like 'Sky Castle' explore the extreme pressure to achieve a high 학력.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Job Interviews

최종 학력은 무엇입니까?
학력보다는 실무 능력을 봅니다.
학력 증명서를 제출하세요.
학력 제한이 있나요?

News Reports

학력 위조 의혹
학력 인플레이션 심화
학력 간 임금 격차
학력 사회 비판

Filling out Forms

학력 사항
입학 연월일
졸업 여부
전공 분야

Social Discussions

학력이 전부는 아니다
가방끈이 길다
학벌 사회의 문제점
고학력 실업

Education Policy

기초 학력 보장
학력 격차 해소
학력 평가 실시
학력 저하 우려

Gesprächseinstiege

"한국에서는 학력이 왜 그렇게 중요하다고 생각하세요?"

"이력서에 학력을 쓸 때 가장 중요한 것이 무엇인가요?"

"학력과 실력 중 무엇이 더 중요하다고 보십니까?"

"요즘은 학력 무관 채용이 늘고 있는데 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"본인의 학력에 만족하시나요, 아니면 더 공부하고 싶으신가요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

나의 학력에 대해 적어보세요. (Write about your own educational background.)

학력이 사람의 가치를 결정할 수 있을까요? (Can educational background determine a person's value?)

내가 생각하는 이상적인 교육 시스템은 무엇인가요? (What is your ideal education system?)

학력 위조 뉴스를 보았을 때 어떤 느낌이 들었나요? (How did you feel when you saw news about academic fraud?)

미래에는 학력의 의미가 어떻게 변할까요? (How will the meaning of educational background change in the future?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Generally, no. '학력' refers to formal education degrees from accredited institutions like high schools and universities. For online courses or certifications, use '자격증' (certification) or '이수' (completion).

You would say '제 최종 학력은 석사입니다' (My final educational background is a Master's) or '석사 학력이 있습니다'.

This is due to nasalization rules in Korean. When a 'ㄱ' sound is followed by 'ㄹ', the 'ㄹ' changes to 'ㄴ', and then the 'ㄱ' changes to 'ㅇ' because of the 'ㄴ'. Thus, 학+력 -> 학+녁 -> 항녁.

Yes, '학력' covers all formal schooling. However, in professional contexts, people usually only care about high school and above.

It means the employer does not care about your educational background. They will hire you based on your skills or experience regardless of whether you graduated from university or not.

It is a formal, neutral noun. It is not inherently 'polite' or 'impolite', but it is most appropriate for formal situations.

No, '학력' requires institutional records. For a self-taught person, you would say '독학했다' (self-taught) or focus on their '실력' (ability).

It's a slang term (literally 'education laundry') for someone who goes to a prestigious graduate school to cover up the fact that they went to a less prestigious undergraduate school.

No, it is a neutral abbreviation for 'high school graduate'. However, because of the '학력 사회', some people might feel sensitive about it.

Technically, no. Formal '학력' usually begins with elementary school (초등학교).

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