설문

The Korean word 설문 (Seol-mun) is a fundamental noun that translates most directly to 'survey' or 'questionnaire.' It is composed of two Hanja characters: 設 (설) meaning 'to establish' or 'to set up,' and 問 (문) meaning 'to ask' or 'question.' Together, they literally describe the act of setting up questions. While in English we might use 'survey' to mean both the process and the document, Korean often distinguishes the physical document as 설문지 (survey paper) and the process as 설문 조사 (survey research/investigation). However, in casual conversation and professional titles, 설문 acts as the core anchor for any activity involving systematic data collection from people. You will encounter this word in academic settings when researchers gather data, in corporate environments when measuring customer satisfaction, and in public policy when the government seeks the opinion of citizens. It carries a tone of organized inquiry rather than a single, spontaneous question, which would be 질문.

Academic Context

In universities, students and professors use 설문 to validate hypotheses. It involves rigorous methodology and specific sampling techniques to ensure the data is representative of a population.

Commercial Context

Companies frequently conduct 설문 to improve products. This is often seen as 'Customer Satisfaction Surveys' (고객 만족도 설문), where the focus is on feedback and market trends.

Daily Life Context

Even on social media or apps, when a brand asks you three quick questions to get a discount, they are presenting a 설문. It is the standard term for any structured set of questions.

Understanding the nuance of 설문 requires recognizing its formal nature. You wouldn't use it to ask a friend what they want for lunch; that's just a 물음 (ask) or 질문 (question). 설문 implies a form, a purpose, and a target group. It is the bridge between raw curiosity and structured data. In the digital age, this word has expanded to cover online forms like Google Forms or Typeform, which are often referred to as 온라인 설문.

When you see this word, think of a clipboard, a checklist, or a digital form with radio buttons. It is the tool of social science and marketing. It is rarely used as a verb alone (설문하다 is less common than 설문 조사를 하다), so focusing on it as a noun is the most effective way to build your vocabulary. It is often paired with the particle -에 (to/in) when responding to one: 설문에 응하다 (to respond to a survey).

Using 설문 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that usually functions as the object of a sentence or as part of a compound noun phrase. Because it represents a structured activity, it is almost always followed by verbs of action like 'to conduct,' 'to participate,' or 'to analyze.' In formal writing, you will see it combined with 조사 (investigation/research) to form 설문 조사. This is the most standard way to say 'survey' in a professional or academic context. When you are the one filling out the form, you use the verb 응하다 (to respond) or 작성하다 (to fill out/write).

The 'Conduct' Pattern

[Target] + 을/를 대상으로 + 설문을 실시하다/진행하다. (To conduct/carry out a survey targeting [Target]). This is the gold standard for reporting research.

The 'Response' Pattern

설문에 응하다 / 설문에 참여하다. (To respond to a survey / To participate in a survey). Use this when you are the subject taking the survey.

The 'Result' Pattern

설문 결과에 따르면... (According to the survey results...). This is essential for citing data or making an argument based on evidence.

Grammatically, 설문 is a count noun, but it is rarely used with counters like 개 or 번 unless you are referring to the number of survey projects. If you are referring to the number of individual papers, you use 설문지 with the counter 부 (copy). For example, 설문지 100부 (100 copies of the survey). If you are referring to the number of times a survey was conducted, you might say 세 차례의 설문 (three rounds of surveys). It is also important to note the difference between 설문 and 투표 (vote). A survey asks for opinions or data; a vote asks for a decision or a choice between candidates.

In more advanced usage, you might see 설문 paired with verbs like 배부하다 (to distribute) or 회수하다 (to collect back). These are common in administrative contexts. For instance, '설문지를 배부하고 일주일 뒤에 회수했습니다' (The survey papers were distributed and collected back a week later). This demonstrates the full lifecycle of a survey in a Korean professional setting. Whether you are a student writing a thesis or an employee doing market research, these patterns are indispensable.

The word 설문 is ubiquitous in South Korean society, appearing in places ranging from the mundane to the highly official. If you walk through a busy area like Gangnam or Hongdae, you might be approached by someone holding a clipboard saying, "잠시 설문 좀 부탁드려도 될까요?" (May I ask you for a quick survey?). This is the most common real-world encounter for many. It is also a staple of the Korean internet. On portals like Naver or Daum, news articles are often based entirely on the results of a 설문 conducted by a research firm like Gallup Korea or Realmeter.

News and Media

News anchors often start segments with '최근 실시된 설문 조사에 따르면...' (According to a recently conducted survey...). It provides the 'objective' basis for social commentary.

Workplace Culture

In a Korean office, HR might send out a '직무 만족도 설문' (Job satisfaction survey) or a '회식 장소 설문' (Survey for the company dinner location). It is the polite way to gauge consensus.

Educational Institutions

At the end of every semester, students must complete a '강의 평가 설문' (Course evaluation survey) before they can check their final grades. This is a high-stakes encounter with the word!

Another interesting place you'll find 설문 is in the world of 'K-pop and Fandom.' Fan cafes or platforms like Weverse often run surveys to decide on official lightstick designs, fan club names, or even setlists for concerts. In these cases, the word takes on a more exciting, community-driven meaning. Furthermore, in the medical field, before you see a doctor for the first time in Korea, you are often handed a 문진표 (medical questionnaire), which is a specific type of 설문 focused on health history.

In summary, 설문 is the word of the 'Information Age' in Korea. It is how data is born and how opinions are quantified. Whether it is a serious political poll or a simple 'Which coffee do you prefer?' poll on an app, 설문 is the term that makes that interaction official and structured.

While 설문 is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make mistakes by over-extending its use or confusing it with similar-sounding terms. The most common error is using 설문 when they actually mean a single question (질문). If you want to ask your teacher a question about grammar, you must say "질문이 있어요" (I have a question). Saying "설문이 있어요" would imply you have an entire research paper or questionnaire for them to fill out, which would be very confusing!

Mistake 1: 설문 vs. 질문

질문 is a single inquiry. 설문 is a structured set of inquiries. You ask a 질문 to a person; you conduct a 설문 on a group.

Mistake 2: 설문 vs. 투표

In English, we might 'survey' a room to see who wants pizza, but in Korean, if you are making a choice, it is 투표 (voting). 설문 is for gathering data/opinions, not usually for the act of making a final decision.

Mistake 3: Misusing '설문하다'

Many learners try to turn every noun into a verb by adding -하다. While '설문하다' exists, it sounds slightly unnatural in most contexts. It is better to use '설문 조사를 하다' (to do a survey investigation).

Another nuance involves the word 앙케트 (from the French 'enquête'). While 설문 is the formal, standard Korean word, 앙케트 is often used in entertainment or variety shows (e.g., 'A survey of 100 celebrities'). Beginners might get confused seeing both, but they are essentially the same. However, you should stick to 설문 for any academic or professional writing. Finally, be careful with the particle usage. You don't 'do' a survey to a person using the -에게 particle; you do it targeting them (-을 대상으로).

In Korean, there are several words that share the semantic space of 'asking' or 'investigating.' Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific method of information gathering. While 설문 is the most common for written questionnaires, other words might be more appropriate in specific contexts.

설문 (Survey/Questionnaire)

The standard term for a structured set of questions, usually written or digital, aimed at a group.

조사 (Investigation/Research)

A broader term. All 설문 are a type of 조사, but not all 조사 are 설문. Investigation can involve observation, experiments, or looking at historical data.

질의 (Inquiry/Formal Questioning)

Often used in legal or official government proceedings (e.g., '질의응답' - Q&A session). It sounds more confrontational or strictly procedural than 설문.

여론 조사 (Public Opinion Poll)

Specifically used for political or social 'opinion' polls. If you are talking about who will win the election, use this term.

When comparing 설문 to 인터뷰 (Interview), the difference is the medium. 설문 is typically quantitative (many people, same questions), while an interview is qualitative (one-on-one, deep conversation). If you are looking for a more casual way to say 'asking around,' you might use 물어보기 or 탐문 (inquiry/scouting). In modern Korean slang, especially online, people might use 투표 (poll) on apps like Instagram or KakaoTalk, even if it's technically a survey of opinion.