에 있어서
This phrase means 'in terms of' or 'regarding' a specific topic or situation.
Explanation at your level:
Think of this as a way to say 'about'. If you want to talk about school, you say 'school-에 있어서'. It is a bit formal, so you don't use it for simple 'I like apples' sentences. Just remember: Noun + 에 있어서 = 'in the area of'.
You use this to organize your ideas. Instead of just saying 'The test is hard', you can say 'In terms of the test, it is hard'. It helps your listener know exactly what part of the subject you are discussing right now.
At this level, you start using it to add nuance to your arguments. It is very common in professional emails or presentations. It helps you transition between different points of a discussion smoothly and logically.
This is your go-to phrase for formal writing. It acts as a formal 'regarding'. It is slightly more sophisticated than just using '대해서'. Use it when you want to sound objective and analytical in your Korean communication.
In advanced contexts, '에 있어서' is used to define the scope of a thesis or a complex argument. It is often found in academic papers where precision is key. It signals that you are about to provide a nuanced observation about a specific domain.
At the mastery level, you recognize that '에 있어서' is not just a connector but a framing device. It establishes the epistemic boundary of your statement. It is deeply embedded in the formal registers of Korean, often carrying a sense of authority and structured thought that is essential for high-level discourse.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Used to define the scope of a topic.
- Very common in formal and academic speech.
- Must be attached to a noun.
- Similar to 'in terms of' or 'regarding'.
Hey there! 에 있어서 is a super useful phrase in Korean that helps you draw a circle around a specific topic. Imagine you are talking about a big project; by using this, you are saying, 'In terms of the budget...' or 'Regarding the timeline...'
It acts like a spotlight. When you put it after a noun, you are telling your listener, 'Look here, this is the specific area I am focusing on right now.' It makes your sentences sound much more professional and clear.
The phrase is a combination of the particle 에 (at/in) and the verb 있다 (to be/exist), conjugated into the connective form 있어서 (being at/existing in). Historically, it evolved from the need to express existence within a certain boundary.
Over time, this literal 'being in' meaning shifted to a more abstract 'pertaining to' meaning. It is a classic example of how Korean grammar turns physical location words into logical connectors to help organize complex thoughts.
You will mostly hear this in formal settings like business meetings, academic essays, or news reports. It is not something you would typically use when chatting with your best friend over coffee!
Commonly, it follows nouns related to abstract concepts like 문제 (problem), 분야 (field), or 측면 (aspect). Using it correctly shows that you have a high level of control over the structure of your Korean sentences.
While it is a grammatical phrase, it appears in many set expressions. For example, 성공에 있어서 가장 중요한 것은 (The most important thing in terms of success is...).
Another common one is 교육에 있어서 (In the realm of education), which is often used in debates. You will also see it in 판단에 있어서 (In terms of judgment), which is used when someone is explaining their reasoning process.
Grammatically, it is a postpositional phrase. It always follows a noun. You don't need to worry about plural forms because Korean nouns don't change based on number.
Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like 'eh-eet-suh-suh'. Make sure to link the 's' sound smoothly. It is often stressed on the first syllable of '있어서' to emphasize the importance of the topic being introduced.
Fun Fact
It is a grammaticalization of a physical location marker.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear vowel sounds, stress on second part
Smooth transition between syllables
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing '있' as '이'
- Dropping the final '서'
- Incorrect rhythm
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read but requires formal knowledge.
Requires understanding of formal register.
Requires practice in formal settings.
Common in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Postpositional phrases
에 있어서
Formal sentence endings
입니다/합니다
Noun modification
의
Examples by Level
공부에 있어서 집중이 중요해요.
In study, focus is important.
Noun + 에 있어서
건강에 있어서 운동이 최고예요.
In terms of health, exercise is best.
Noun + 에 있어서
시간에 있어서 약속은 중요해요.
In terms of time, appointments are important.
Noun + 에 있어서
음식에 있어서 맛이 제일이에요.
In terms of food, taste is number one.
Noun + 에 있어서
여행에 있어서 준비가 필요해요.
In terms of travel, preparation is needed.
Noun + 에 있어서
언어에 있어서 연습이 중요해요.
In terms of language, practice is important.
Noun + 에 있어서
회사에 있어서 팀워크가 중요해요.
In terms of work, teamwork is important.
Noun + 에 있어서
기술에 있어서 발전이 빨라요.
In terms of technology, development is fast.
Noun + 에 있어서
예술에 있어서 창의성은 필수입니다.
경제에 있어서 변화가 많습니다.
환경에 있어서 나무가 중요합니다.
디자인에 있어서 색깔이 중요해요.
운동에 있어서 규칙이 있습니다.
요리에 있어서 재료가 중요해요.
수학에 있어서 공식이 있어요.
역사에 있어서 기록이 중요합니다.
성공에 있어서 인내심은 핵심입니다.
결정에 있어서 신중함이 필요해요.
발표에 있어서 자신감이 중요합니다.
관계에 있어서 신뢰가 기본입니다.
정책에 있어서 변화가 예상됩니다.
프로젝트에 있어서 예산이 중요해요.
교육에 있어서 열정이 필요합니다.
건축에 있어서 안전이 우선입니다.
글로벌 시장에 있어서 경쟁이 치열합니다.
과학적 연구에 있어서 데이터가 핵심입니다.
인간 관계에 있어서 소통은 필수적입니다.
기술 혁신에 있어서 투자가 중요합니다.
사회 문제에 있어서 시민의 참여가 필요합니다.
예술적 표현에 있어서 자유가 중요합니다.
경영에 있어서 전략은 필수입니다.
환경 보호에 있어서 실천이 중요합니다.
이론적 접근에 있어서 한계가 존재합니다.
역사적 맥락에 있어서 이 사건은 중요합니다.
법적 해석에 있어서 모호함이 발생했습니다.
철학적 논의에 있어서 실존은 핵심입니다.
국제 관계에 있어서 외교는 필수적입니다.
문화적 차이에 있어서 이해가 우선입니다.
경제적 관점에 있어서 효율성이 중요합니다.
심리학적 분석에 있어서 무의식은 중요합니다.
본질적 가치에 있어서 타협은 불가능합니다.
학문적 담론에 있어서 비판적 사고는 필수입니다.
구조적 변화에 있어서 시간은 중요한 변수입니다.
윤리적 판단에 있어서 원칙이 중요합니다.
미적 기준에 있어서 개인차가 존재합니다.
정치적 상황에 있어서 중립은 어렵습니다.
문학적 해석에 있어서 상징은 중요합니다.
생물학적 진화에 있어서 환경은 핵심입니다.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"어느 면에 있어서"
in some respects
어느 면에 있어서는 동의합니다.
neutral"모든 면에 있어서"
in all respects
그는 모든 면에 있어서 완벽해요.
neutral"그 점에 있어서"
in that regard
그 점에 있어서는 맞아요.
neutral"이 점에 있어서"
in this regard
이 점에 있어서 이해가 필요합니다.
formal"어떤 면에 있어서"
in a certain aspect
어떤 면에 있어서는 어렵습니다.
neutral"어려움에 있어서"
in times of difficulty
어려움에 있어서 친구가 필요합니다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean about
에 대해 is more general
그것에 대해 말해요 vs 그 점에 있어서 말해요.
Both are formal
에 관해 is slightly more direct
그 일에 관해 논의합니다.
Both define scope
측면에서 specifically means 'from the side of'
경제적 측면에서.
Both are used in arguments
입장에서 refers to a person's perspective
내 입장에서.
Sentence Patterns
Noun + 에 있어서 + Subject + Verb
경제에 있어서 한국은 강합니다.
Noun + 에 있어서 + Noun + 은/는 + Adjective
공부에 있어서 집중은 중요합니다.
Noun + 에 있어서 + Verb
결정에 있어서 신중하세요.
Noun + 에 있어서 + Noun + 가/이 + 필요하다
성공에 있어서 노력이 필요합니다.
Noun + 에 있어서 + Noun + 가/이 + 핵심이다
교육에 있어서 열정이 핵심입니다.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Verwandt
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
에 있어서 is for abstract scope, not physical place.
It sounds too stiff for friends.
It must attach to a noun.
Nuance difference.
Must follow a noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place the phrase on a shelf labeled 'Formal Topics'.
Native Usage
Use it when presenting a point in a meeting.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the Korean value of logical structure.
Grammar Shortcut
Always look for a noun before it.
Say It Right
Practice the double consonant 'ㅆ'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for physical location.
Did You Know?
It is a very common phrase in Korean news.
Study Smart
Create a list of 5 topics and use this phrase for each.
Better Essays
Use it to start your body paragraphs.
Sound Professional
Use it when you need to clarify your point.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a box; '에' is the box, '있어서' is the item inside.
Visual Association
A magnifying glass focusing on a specific part of a document.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write 3 sentences using it for work, health, and hobbies.
Wortherkunft
Korean
Original meaning: existing at/in
Kultureller Kontext
None, it is a standard grammatical tool.
Equivalent to formal academic 'in terms of'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business meeting
- 예산에 있어서
- 일정에 있어서
- 전략에 있어서
Academic essay
- 이론에 있어서
- 분석에 있어서
- 결론에 있어서
Debate
- 찬성에 있어서
- 반대에 있어서
- 관점에 있어서
Self-improvement
- 성장에 있어서
- 변화에 있어서
- 습관에 있어서
Conversation Starters
"성공에 있어서 가장 중요한 것은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"
"교육에 있어서 무엇이 개선되어야 할까요?"
"건강에 있어서 가장 조심해야 할 점은 무엇인가요?"
"기술 발전에 있어서 어떤 점이 걱정되나요?"
"인간 관계에 있어서 신뢰가 왜 중요할까요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your goals in terms of your career.
Describe a challenge you faced and how you handled it in terms of your mindset.
Discuss a hobby you love and why it is important in terms of your happiness.
Reflect on your language learning journey in terms of your progress.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenThey are similar, but '에 있어서' is more formal and focuses on the scope.
It is better used with abstract topics or nouns.
Only in formal or serious discussions.
No, Korean nouns don't change.
No, it must be followed by a predicate.
No, just remember it follows a noun.
It comes from '있다' (to exist).
No, it is too formal.
Teste dich selbst
건강___ 운동이 중요해요.
It is the correct phrase for 'in terms of'.
Which is the most formal?
에 있어서 is more formal than the others.
Can I use '에 있어서' to say 'I am at the park'?
No, that requires '에 있다'.
Word
Bedeutung
Both are nouns that take the phrase.
Correct structure: Noun + 에 있어서 + Subject + Verb.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Use '에 있어서' to sound professional when narrowing down your topic.
- Used to define the scope of a topic.
- Very common in formal and academic speech.
- Must be attached to a noun.
- Similar to 'in terms of' or 'regarding'.
Memory Palace
Place the phrase on a shelf labeled 'Formal Topics'.
Native Usage
Use it when presenting a point in a meeting.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the Korean value of logical structure.
Grammar Shortcut
Always look for a noun before it.
Beispiel
교육에 있어서 가장 중요한 것은 학생의 참여입니다.
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에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
B2To carry through, achieve, or persist in one's will or goal until it is accomplished, despite difficulties.
~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
회계사
A2Accountant; a person whose job is to keep financial accounts.