실현가능하다

The term 실현가능하다 (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-ha-da) is a powerful Sino-Korean adjective that combines the concepts of 'realization' and 'possibility.' In its most basic form, it describes an idea, a plan, or a dream that isn't just a fantasy but something that can actually be brought into the physical world. When you use this word, you are moving beyond the abstract 'can I do this?' and into the concrete 'is this achievable with the resources and time we have?' It is the bridge between imagination and reality.

Etymological Breakdown

The word is composed of 실 (實) meaning 'real' or 'fruit,' 현 (現) meaning 'to appear,' 가 (可) meaning 'possible,' and 능 (能) meaning 'ability.' Together, they literally translate to the 'ability for reality to appear.'

In everyday Korean life, you will encounter this word most frequently in professional or academic settings. If a boss asks if a project deadline is 실현가능한가요? (Is it feasible?), they are asking for a realistic assessment of the workload. It is less about whether the task is theoretically possible and more about whether it is practically doable given current constraints. It is a word of pragmatism.

Culturally, Koreans value hard work but also emphasize 'hyunsil-jeok' (realistic) thinking. Therefore, being called a person with '실현가능한 생각' (feasible thoughts) is a compliment to your logic and planning skills. It suggests you have your feet on the ground. You will hear this in news reports regarding government budgets, in tech companies discussing new features, and among students planning their study schedules for the Suneung exam.

Contextual Nuance

Unlike the simpler word '가능하다' (possible), '실현가능하다' implies a process of making something happen. It is often used for plans, dreams, policies, and technical solutions.

In summary, use this word when you want to sound professional, analytical, and grounded. It moves the conversation from 'what if' to 'how to.' It is the hallmark of a strategist. Whether you are discussing a 5-year business plan or a personal fitness goal, asking 'Is this 실현가능?' is the first step toward success. It forces a confrontation with reality that is necessary for any true achievement in the Korean-speaking world.

Using 실현가능하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean. Because it ends in '하다', it follows the standard conjugation patterns for adjectives, but its usage is specifically tied to nouns that represent ideas, plans, or potential outcomes.

Basic Conjugation

Formal: 실현가능합니다 (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-hap-ni-da)
Polite: 실현가능해요 (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-hae-yo)
Past: 실현가능했습니다 (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-haet-seup-ni-da)

The most common way to use this word is as a modifier for a noun. When you want to say 'a feasible plan,' you change '실현가능하다' into its adjective form '실현가능한' (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-han). This is done by adding 'ㄴ' to the stem. This construction is vital for professional writing and speaking.

Another frequent pattern is using the noun form '실현가능성' (Sil-hyeon-ga-neung-seong), which means 'feasibility' or 'possibility of realization.' You will often see this paired with verbs like '있다' (to have/exist) or '없다' (to not have/exist). For example, '실현가능성이 높다' means 'There is a high feasibility.'

In negative sentences, you can use '실현가능하지 않다' (It is not feasible) or '실현가능성이 전혀 없다' (There is absolutely no feasibility). This is common when rejecting a proposal that is deemed too idealistic or expensive. It is a polite but firm way to say 'This won't work in reality.'

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] + 은/는 + 실현가능하다: The [Noun] is feasible.
[Noun] + 의 + 실현가능성: The feasibility of [Noun].

Finally, remember that '실현가능하다' is often used with adverbs like '충분히' (sufficiently), '전혀' (at all), or '매우' (very). '충분히 실현가능합니다' is a very encouraging phrase to use when supporting someone's idea. It conveys confidence backed by logic, making it a staple in Korean organizational communication.

While you might not hear 실현가능하다 in a casual conversation about what to eat for lunch, it is ubiquitous in several specific spheres of Korean life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word and use it with the correct register.

The Corporate World

In Korean offices, 'feasibility reports' (실현가능성 보고서) are standard. During meetings, managers will evaluate proposals based on their 실현가능성. If you are working in a Korean company, you will hear this word during every planning phase.

News and Politics are other major areas. News anchors often discuss whether a politician's campaign promises are 실현가능한 공약 (feasible promises). Political analysts frequently debate the feasibility of new laws or international treaties. If a promise is deemed '실현가능성이 낮다' (low feasibility), it is usually a critique of the politician's honesty or competence.

In the academic world, researchers must prove the 실현가능성 of their experiments to receive funding. A research proposal that lacks this quality is rarely accepted. Students also use it when discussing their study plans with teachers, often asking if their target grade is realistic or feasible given their current progress.

Self-Help and Media

Korean self-development books often use this word to encourage readers to set '실현가능한 목표' (feasible goals) rather than vague dreams. This helps people avoid burnout and achieve incremental success.

Lastly, you will encounter this word in science fiction discussions. When people talk about colonizing Mars or time travel, they often use the phrase '실현가능한 기술인가?' to distinguish between hard science and pure fantasy. In all these cases, the word acts as a filter for reality, separating the 'what is' from the 'what could be.'

Even though 실현가능하다 is a straightforward concept, learners often make specific errors in usage, nuance, and grammar. Avoiding these will make your Korean sound much more natural and professional.

Mistake 1: Overusing it for simple actions

Learners often use '실현가능하다' when they should use '가능하다' (possible) or '할 수 있다' (can). For example, saying '밥 먹는 것이 실현가능해요' (Eating is feasible) sounds very strange. Use '실현가능하다' only for complex plans, goals, or realizations of abstract ideas.

Another common mistake is confusing '실현가능하다' with '현실적이다' (to be realistic). While related, '현실적이다' describes a person's mindset or the nature of a thing, whereas '실현가능하다' specifically refers to the potential for an idea to become a reality. A plan can be 'realistic' (현실적인 계획) because it's sensible, but it is 'feasible' (실현가능한 계획) because it can actually be done.

Grammatically, learners sometimes forget that '실현가능하다' is an adjective. They might try to use it with object markers (을/를), which is incorrect. Adjectives in Korean take subject markers (이/가). So, you should say '계획이 실현가능하다' (The plan is feasible), not '계획을 실현가능하다'.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '실천가능하다'

'실천가능하다' (Sil-cheon-ga-neung-ha-da) means 'practicable' or 'able to be put into practice.' While very similar, '실천' focuses on the *action* of the person, while '실현' focuses on the *result* or the manifestation of the idea. Use '실천' for habits and '실현' for big goals.

Finally, avoid using it in very informal slang. Since it's a Sino-Korean academic/professional term, using it with your best friends while hanging out might make you sound like you're giving a business presentation. In casual settings, '될 것 같아' (I think it'll work) or '할 수 있어' (I can do it) are much more natural.

To truly master 실현가능하다, you need to know its 'neighbors'—the words that share its space but offer different shades of meaning. This allows you to choose the exact right word for your context.

가능하다 (Ga-neung-ha-da)

The most common alternative. It means 'to be possible.' It is broader and can be used for anything from 'Is it possible to park here?' to 'Is the plan possible?' It lacks the specific nuance of 'realizing a dream/plan' that '실현가능하다' has.

실천가능하다 (Sil-cheon-ga-neung-ha-da)

Focuses on the 'doing.' Use this when talking about whether a person can actually carry out the steps of a plan. For example, '매일 운동하는 것은 실천가능한 목표다' (Exercising every day is a practicable goal).

If you want to sound more like a native speaker in a professional setting, you might use 타당하다 (Ta-dang-ha-da), which means 'to be valid' or 'to be reasonable.' Often, a plan must be both '타당하다' (reasonable) and '실현가능하다' (feasible) to be approved. Another high-level word is 가망이 있다 (Ga-mang-i it-da), which means 'to have a prospect' or 'to have a chance,' often used for success or recovery.

For the opposite meaning, you have 불가능하다 (Bul-ga-neung-ha-da), meaning 'impossible,' or 비현실적이다 (Bi-hyeon-sil-jeok-i-da), meaning 'unrealistic.' If someone suggests an idea that is way too expensive or difficult, you would call it '비현실적' rather than just 'not feasible,' as 'unrealistic' carries a stronger tone of 'you're dreaming.'

Summary of Alternatives

- 가능하다: General possibility.
- 현실적이다: Grounded in reality (mindset).
- 실천가능하다: Action-oriented feasibility.
- 수행가능하다: Executable (often used in tasks/missions).

In conclusion, while '실현가능하다' is your go-to word for feasibility, having these alternatives in your pocket will help you describe the world with more precision. Whether you are rejecting a proposal or encouraging a friend's dream, the right choice among these words shows your depth of understanding of the Korean language.