이성적이다
To be logical and think clearly without letting emotions take control.
Explanation at your level:
You use this word to talk about smart choices. If you think before you act, you are 이성적이다. It means you are not just following your feelings. You are being calm and using your mind to see the truth. It is a good way to describe a person who is very steady and helpful.
When you have a problem, you can be 이성적이다 by looking at the facts. You don't get angry or sad; you just think about the best way to fix things. It is about being sensible. Teachers might say, 'Be 이성적이다' when they want you to stop crying and start thinking about a solution.
This word is used to describe a person's character or a specific action. You might say, 'She gave an 이성적인 answer,' which means her answer was based on logic. It is a very useful word in business or school when you need to explain that you are not being biased by your emotions. It helps you sound professional and calm.
In more complex situations, 이성적이다 highlights the contrast between human emotion and objective reasoning. It is often used in debates or serious discussions where people need to avoid 'emotional fallacies.' Using this word shows that you value evidence and critical thinking over subjective opinions or temporary moods.
At this level, you can use the word to discuss philosophy or human psychology. You might describe a character in a book as struggling to remain 이성적이다 despite overwhelming trauma. It suggests a high degree of emotional regulation and intellectual discipline. It is a sophisticated way to denote the triumph of the intellect over basic instincts.
Mastery of this word involves understanding its nuance in various cultural contexts. It is not just about being 'smart'; it is about the ethical and social responsibility of being rational. In formal writing, it serves as a bridge between the subjective experience of the individual and the objective reality of the collective. It implies a sense of wisdom and maturity that transcends simple logic.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means rational or logical.
- Used to describe people or decisions.
- Opposite of emotional.
- Very useful in professional settings.
When we say someone is 이성적이다 (i-seong-jeok-i-da), we are paying them a compliment about their mental clarity. It describes a person who prioritizes logic and reason over their immediate gut feelings or emotional reactions.
Think of it as the 'cool-headed' approach to life. Whether you are solving a math problem or navigating a difficult conversation at work, being 이성적이다 helps you stay grounded and focused on the facts. It is the opposite of being impulsive or overly sentimental.
The word is built from the Sino-Korean characters 이성 (理性), which translates to 'reason' or 'intellect.' The character 理 (ri) represents logic or truth, while 性 (seong) refers to nature or character.
By adding the suffix -적이다, which turns a noun into a descriptive adjective, the word evolved to describe someone who embodies the nature of reason. It has been a cornerstone of philosophical and academic discourse in Korea for centuries, reflecting the influence of Confucian values that emphasize self-control and rational thought.
You will hear this word in both professional and casual settings. It is very common to use it when discussing decision-making or conflict resolution. For example, you might tell a friend, 'Please be 이성적이다,' when they are getting too angry to see the truth.
It is often paired with words like 판단 (judgment) or 사고 (thinking). It sounds quite sophisticated and is often used to praise someone's maturity or ability to remain calm under pressure.
1. 냉철한 이성 (Cold reason): Used to describe someone who is extremely logical. 2. 이성을 잃다 (To lose one's reason): To snap or lose control of one's temper. 3. 이성적인 판단을 내리다 (To make a rational judgment): To decide based on facts. 4. 이성보다 감정이 앞서다 (Emotions come before reason): When someone is acting impulsively. 5. 머리는 차갑게, 가슴은 뜨겁게 (Head cold, heart warm): A classic saying about balancing logic and passion.
As an adjective, 이성적이다 functions as a predicate in Korean sentences. You can conjugate it to 이성적인 when modifying a noun (e.g., 이성적인 사람 - a rational person).
The pronunciation is straightforward: ee-sung-juh-gee-dah. The stress is generally flat, but emphasis is often placed on the second syllable for clarity. It rhymes with words ending in '-da' like 논리적이다 (logical) or 현실적이다 (realistic).
Fun Fact
The character 理 is also used in '이치' (logic/reason).
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ee-sung-juh-gee-dah'
Similar to UK, crisp consonants
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'juh' as 'chu'
- Dropping the final 'da'
- Incorrect nasalization of 'sung'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Adjective conjugation
이성적이다 -> 이성적인
Adverbial form
이성적이다 -> 이성적으로
Predicate usage
그는 이성적이다.
Examples by Level
그는 이성적이다.
He is rational.
Simple predicate
이성적인 사람이 되세요.
Be a rational person.
Adjective form
나는 이성적이다.
I am rational.
First person
그녀는 아주 이성적이다.
She is very rational.
Adverb usage
이성적인 선택을 하세요.
Make a rational choice.
Noun modification
우리는 이성적이다.
We are rational.
Plural subject
이성적인 생각은 좋다.
Rational thinking is good.
Subject noun
항상 이성적이다.
Always rational.
Adverbial frequency
그는 화가 나도 이성적이다.
이성적인 태도가 필요합니다.
그의 결정은 매우 이성적이었다.
항상 이성적인 대화를 하자.
이성적인 판단이 중요하다.
그는 이성적인 사람으로 알려져 있다.
감정보다 이성적인 것이 낫다.
이성적인 해결책을 찾자.
위기 상황에서도 이성적이다.
이성적인 분석이 필요합니다.
그는 감정적인 사람보다 이성적인 사람을 좋아한다.
이성적인 근거를 제시해주세요.
그의 말은 매우 이성적이고 설득력이 있다.
이성적인 사고방식을 갖는 것은 중요하다.
갈등을 이성적으로 해결하는 법을 배우자.
이성적인 판단을 내리기 어렵다.
이성적인 관점에서 보면 그것은 불가능하다.
그는 감정에 휘둘리지 않고 이성적이다.
이성적인 논리를 바탕으로 주장했다.
이성적인 대처가 상황을 반전시켰다.
그의 이성적인 태도가 팀을 구했다.
이성적인 비판은 언제나 환영한다.
너무 이성적이라 차갑게 느껴질 때도 있다.
이성적인 결론에 도달했다.
그는 이성적인 사고의 틀을 유지하려 애썼다.
이성적인 성찰이 부족한 행동이었다.
철학적으로 이성적이다는 것은 무엇인가?
이성적인 객관성을 확보하는 것이 관건이다.
그는 이성적이다는 평가를 듣고 싶어 한다.
이성적인 판단의 오류를 경계해야 한다.
이성적인 담론이 형성되어야 한다.
그의 이성적인 통찰력은 매우 뛰어나다.
이성적이다는 것은 인간의 고유한 특성 중 하나다.
이성적인 사유의 끝에서 진리를 발견했다.
그는 감정의 소용돌이 속에서도 이성적이다.
이성적인 정당성을 확보하기 위한 노력이다.
이성적인 체계 내에서 설명이 가능하다.
이성적인 자제력이 그의 성공 비결이다.
이성적인 합의에 도달하기까지 시간이 걸렸다.
이성적인 태도는 지적 성숙의 증거다.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"이성을 잃다"
To lose one's temper or logic
화가 나서 이성을 잃었다.
neutral"이성을 되찾다"
To regain composure
심호흡을 하고 이성을 되찾았다.
neutral"이성의 끈을 놓다"
To give up on self-control
너무 힘들어서 이성의 끈을 놓을 뻔했다.
casual"이성적인 판단력"
Capability to judge rationally
그는 이성적인 판단력이 부족하다.
formal"이성적 사고의 한계"
The limits of logic
이성적 사고의 한계를 인정해야 한다.
formalEasily Confused
Antonym
Emotion vs Logic
이성적이다 vs 감정적이다
Similar meaning
Logic vs Reason
논리적이다 is more structural.
Similar meaning
Reasonable vs Rational
합리적이다 is about efficiency.
Same word
Noun vs Adjective
이성 (Reason) vs 이성적이다 (Rational)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 이성적이다
그는 이성적이다.
이성적인 + Noun
이성적인 선택을 했다.
이성적으로 + Verb
이성적으로 생각하라.
Subject + 은/는 + 이성적이다
그녀는 무척 이성적이다.
Subject + 가 + 이성적이다
그 사람이 이성적이다.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
They are opposites.
It describes things too.
Smart vs Rational.
Grammar usage.
Same word, different meaning.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a 'Logic Scale' in your room.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to suggest calm.
Cultural Insight
Valued in Korean professional settings.
Grammar Shortcut
Add -인 for nouns.
Say It Right
Keep it flat.
Don't Mistake
Don't confuse with 'smart'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Confucian roots.
Study Smart
Write opposites together.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'E-sung' as 'E-smart' (Reasoning).
Visual Association
A person with a cool blue light around their head.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to identify three times you were 이성적이다 today.
Wortherkunft
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Reason (理) + Nature (性)
Kultureller Kontext
None.
Equates to 'rational' or 'level-headed'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 이성적인 판단
- 이성적인 해결
- 이성적인 태도
In a fight
- 이성을 찾자
- 이성적으로 대화하자
- 이성적이지 않다
In school
- 이성적인 사고
- 이성적인 분석
- 이성적인 결론
In daily life
- 이성적인 사람
- 이성적인 선택
- 이성적인 태도
Conversation Starters
"Do you think you are an 이성적인 person?"
"When do you lose your 이성?"
"Is it better to be 이성적인 or emotional?"
"How can we be more 이성적인 in conflicts?"
"Who is the most 이성적인 person you know?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were 이성적인.
Why is being 이성적인 important?
Write about a conflict you solved with logic.
How do you stay 이성적인 when angry?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, it is a compliment.
Rarely, as it implies human-like reason.
감정적이다.
Not necessarily, it means logical.
Use it as a predicate at the end.
It is neutral and professional.
Yes, to encourage them to think.
Yes, same word, different context.
Teste dich selbst
그는 화가 나도 ___.
Rationality is the opposite of anger.
Which means 'rational'?
Direct translation.
이성적이다 is the same as emotional.
They are opposites.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching opposites.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Being 이성적이다 means choosing the path of logic over the heat of emotion.
- Means rational or logical.
- Used to describe people or decisions.
- Opposite of emotional.
- Very useful in professional settings.
Memory Palace
Place a 'Logic Scale' in your room.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to suggest calm.
Cultural Insight
Valued in Korean professional settings.
Grammar Shortcut
Add -인 for nouns.
Related Content
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr society Wörter
수용하다
B2To accept, take in, or accommodate ideas, opinions, people, or external influences.
성인
A1An adult; a person who is fully grown or developed.
선진화
B1The process of making something advanced or modernized to reach the level of developed nations. It often refers to systems, technology, or social consciousness.
가중되다
B2To be increased or aggravated, especially in terms of pressure, burden, or negative circumstances.
지향
B2The act of aiming for a certain direction, goal, or ideal state.
소외
B2The state of being isolated or excluded from a group or society; alienation.
또한
A1Also; in addition; moreover.
대안
B2A plan, proposal, or option that can replace an existing one, usually to solve a problem. It is a key word in IELTS Task 2 for suggesting solutions.
비록
A1Although; even though.
도래
B1The arrival or beginning of a significant period, event, or era. It often describes the start of a new technology-driven age.
