B2 · Intermédiaire supérieur Chapitre 9

Academic Definitions and Facts

5 Règles totales
52 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of formal definition and professional fact-sharing in Korean.

  • Define complex concepts using formal structures.
  • State objective facts with professional confidence.
  • Discuss topics and foundations using academic vocabulary.
Speak with precision, write with purpose.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to sound super clear and smart in Korean, even as a beginner? In this exciting chapter,

Academic Definitions and Facts,
we're going to unlock five key grammar tools that will help you explain things precisely and understand more formal language. Don't worry, it's way easier and more fun than it sounds! You'll learn how to use expressions like -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 to define concepts clearly, almost like saying this means that. Imagine you're explaining what kimchi is to a friend, or talking about a new Korean tradition you just learned. You'll also master -ㄴ/은/는 바, which helps you present information as objective facts, giving your sentences a professional touch. Ever read a short news article in Korean and wondered how they state facts so confidently? This is the secret! We'll also dive into two ways to say about formally: -에 대하여 and -에 관하여. You'll discover when to use each to talk about topics professionally, whether you're discussing Korean history or describing a new hobby. Finally, with -을/를 바탕으로, you'll learn to say something is based on something else, perfect for explaining the foundation of an idea or a decision. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be learning words; you'll be able to structure your thoughts in a more grown-up, academic way. You'll confidently define, state facts, discuss topics formally, and explain foundations, making your Korean sound natural and impressive. Get ready to level up your understanding and expression!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Explain the meaning of a term using -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Draft a short report citing facts and foundations.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to your next big step in mastering B2 Korean grammar! In this exciting chapter,
Academic Definitions and Facts,
you're going to unlock the secrets to sounding incredibly clear, precise, and professional in Korean. Moving beyond basic conversational phrases, these five key grammar tools will empower you to explain complex ideas, state objective facts, and discuss topics with an elevated level of formality.
This is crucial for anyone aiming to read news, academic papers, or participate in more serious discussions in Korean. By learning these structures, you'll not only enhance your comprehension of formal texts but also significantly upgrade your ability to express sophisticated thoughts in written and spoken Korean. Get ready to transform your language skills and confidently tackle more advanced communication scenarios with these essential formal Korean expressions.
This chapter focuses on giving you the linguistic toolkit to define concepts, present information as objective truths, and discuss subjects in a structured, academic manner. You'll discover patterns that native speakers use in reports, presentations, and formal writing. Mastering these will make your Korean sound more natural and impressive, reflecting a deeper understanding of the language's nuances.
So, if you're ready to sound smarter and more articulate in your Korean language learning journey, let's dive in!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the five powerful grammar points that will elevate your Korean to a more academic and formal level.
First, for 'Defining Concepts,' we have -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다. This structure is perfect for clearly stating what something means, much like saying X means Y.
* 예: 민주주의는 국민이 주권을 가지고 그 권리를 스스로 행사하는 것을 뜻한다. (Democracy means that the people hold sovereignty and exercise that right themselves.)
Next, 'The Academic Fact' is expressed with -ㄴ/은/는 바. This pattern is used to present information as an objective, established fact, often seen in official reports, news, or academic writing. It adds a sense of authority to your statement.
* 예: 조사 결과에 따르면, 새로운 정책이 긍정적인 영향을 미친 바 있다. (According to the survey results, the new policy has had a positive impact.)
For formal ways to say 'About,' we have two options: -에 대하여 and -에 관하여. Both translate to about, regarding, or concerning, but -에 관하여 often implies a slightly deeper or more specific focus than -에 대하여, though they are largely interchangeable in many contexts. Use them when discussing topics formally.
* 예 (에 대하여): 이 보고서는 한국 경제 성장에 대하여 분석하고 있다. (This report is analyzing the growth of the Korean economy.)
* 예 (에 관하여): 우리는 환경 문제에 관하여 심도 있는 논의를 진행했습니다. (We had an in-depth discussion regarding environmental issues.)
Finally, to say something is 'Based On' something else, we use -을/를 바탕으로. This is invaluable for explaining the foundation or premise of an idea, decision, or conclusion.
* 예: 이 연구는 지난 10년간의 데이터를 바탕으로 결론을 도출했습니다. (This research drew conclusions based on data from the past 10 years.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: «사랑은 기쁨이다.» (Love is joy.) - *While grammatically correct, it lacks the formal definition tone.*
✓ Correct: «사랑은 깊은 감정적 유대감을 형성하는 것을 뜻한다.» (Love means forming a deep emotional bond.)
*Explanation:* The first sentence is a simple statement. To formally define a concept, especially in an academic context, -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 is far more appropriate, providing a precise, explanatory tone.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: «저는 오늘 날씨가 좋을 바라고 생각해요.» (I think the weather will be good today.)
✓ Correct: «기상청 발표에 따르면, 내일 전국적으로 맑을 것으로 예상되는 바입니다.» (According to the meteorological agency's announcement, it is expected to be clear nationwide tomorrow.)
*Explanation:* -ㄴ/은/는 바 is for stating objective facts or established information, not personal opinions or predictions. Using it for subjective thoughts sounds unnatural and incorrect.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: «저는 그 주제에 대해 이야기했어요.» (I talked about that topic.) - *Grammatically fine, but less formal.*
✓ Correct: «저희는 그 주제에 대하여 심층적인 토론을 진행했습니다.» (We conducted an in-depth discussion regarding that topic.)
*Explanation:* While -에 대해(서) is common in everyday conversation, -에 대하여 (and -에 관하여) elevates the formality, making it suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Real Conversations

A

A

이 용어는 정확히 무엇을 뜻하는 건가요? (What exactly does this term mean?)
B

B

'지속가능성'은 환경을 보호하면서 미래 세대의 필요를 충족시키는 것을 뜻합니다. ('Sustainability' means meeting the needs of future generations while protecting the environment.)
A

A

이 보고서 내용은 어떤 근거를 바탕으로 작성되었나요? (What basis was the content of this report written on?)
B

B

이 보고서는 최신 통계 자료와 전문가들의 의견을 바탕으로 작성되었습니다. (This report was written based on the latest statistical data and expert opinions.)
A

A

이번 회의에서는 어떤 안건에 관하여 논의할 예정인가요? (What agenda items will be discussed regarding at this meeting?)
B

B

저희는 신제품 개발 전략에 관하여 집중적으로 논의할 예정입니다. (We plan to discuss the new product development strategy intensively.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 instead of just saying «~이다»?

Use -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 when you are formally defining or explaining the meaning of a concept, especially in academic or descriptive contexts, rather than just stating an equivalence.

Q

Are -에 대하여 and -에 관하여 always interchangeable in B2 Korean?

They are largely interchangeable, but -에 관하여 can sometimes imply a slightly more specific or in-depth focus, making it a good choice for detailed discussions.

Q

Can I use -ㄴ/은/는 바 in everyday conversation?

Generally, no. -ㄴ/은/는 바 is a very formal and often written expression used for stating objective facts or established conclusions. Using it in casual conversation would sound unnatural.

Q

What's the main benefit of learning -을/를 바탕으로 at the B2 level?

It allows you to clearly articulate the foundation or basis for decisions, arguments, or research, which is essential for expressing complex ideas in academic or professional settings.

Cultural Context

These grammar patterns are cornerstones of formal Korean communication. You'll encounter -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다, -ㄴ/은/는 바, -에 대하여, -에 관하여, and -을/를 바탕으로 extensively in news articles, official documents, academic papers, formal presentations, and government reports. While they might sound a bit stiff in casual chat, mastering them is vital for understanding and producing precise, authoritative Korean.
They are standard across all regions for formal usage, without significant regional variations. Knowing when and how to deploy them demonstrates a high level of linguistic sophistication and respect for the context.

Exemples clés (8)

1

이 아이콘은 새로운 메시지가 도착했음을 뜻한다.

Cette icône signifie qu'un nouveau message est arrivé.

Définir des concepts : 'Signifie que' (-ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다)
2

성공이란 끝까지 포기하지 않는 것을 뜻한다.

Le succès signifie ne pas abandonner jusqu'au bout.

Définir des concepts : 'Signifie que' (-ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다)
3

저희가 조사한 바에 따르면 결과는 다음과 같습니다.

D'après ce que nous avons étudié, les résultats sont les suivants.

Le 'Fait' Académique : -ㄴ/은/는 바
4

평소 느낀 바를 솔직하게 말씀해 주세요.

Veuillez parler honnêtement de ce que vous ressentez habituellement.

Le 'Fait' Académique : -ㄴ/은/는 바
5

저는 한국 역사에 대하여 공부하고 있어요.

J'étudie l'histoire de la Corée.

Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)
6

이 영화에 대한 당신의 의견은 무엇입니까?

Quelle est votre opinion sur ce film ?

Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)
7

이 영화는 한국 역사에 관하여 다루고 있습니다.

Ce film traite de l'histoire de la Corée.

Le 'À propos de' Formel (-에 관하여)
8

새로운 프로젝트에 관한 보고서를 작성하세요.

Veuillez rédiger un rapport sur le nouveau projet.

Le 'À propos de' Formel (-에 관하여)

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Style d'écriture

Cette structure s'utilise presque toujours avec la forme narrative -ㄴ다. C'est parfait pour tes essais ou ton journal intime pour un rendu pro : «성공은 노력을 뜻한다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Définir des concepts : 'Signifie que' (-ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다)
🎯

Brille au TOPIK II

Si tu veux une note élevée à l'essai du TOPIK II (Question 54), remplace quelques «-는 것» par «-ㄴ/은/는 바». Cela élève instantanément ton niveau d'écriture aux yeux des correcteurs.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le 'Fait' Académique : -ㄴ/은/는 바
🎯

La règle du nom

Retiens bien que «-에 대한» fonctionne comme un adjectif. Il DOIT être suivi d'un nom, comme pour dire 'une opinion sur X' : «성공에 대한 비밀을 알려줄게.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)
🎯

La règle de l'écrit

Si tu tapes un e-mail pro ou un document officiel, choisis d'office «-에 관한». Pour un SMS à un ami, reste sur «-에 대해».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le 'À propos de' Formel (-에 관하여)

Vocabulaire clé (5)

정의하다 (jeonguihada) to define 사실 (sasil) fact 주제 (juje) topic 기초 (gicho) foundation/basis 학술적 (haksuljeok) academic

Real-World Preview

graduation-cap

University Presentation

Review Summary

  • [Noun]은/는 [Verb stem]+는 것을 뜻한다
  • [Verb stem]+ㄴ/은/는 바
  • [Noun]+에 대하여
  • [Noun]+에 관하여
  • [Noun]+을/를 바탕으로

Erreurs courantes

The definition must come before the verb '뜻한다'. Ensure the object particle '을' is used correctly.

Wrong: 그것은 뜻한다 행복.
Correct: 그것은 행복을 뜻한다.

You must include the object particle '를' when saying 'based on something'.

Wrong: 데이터 바탕으로.
Correct: 데이터를 바탕으로.

While interchangeable, avoid repetitive use of the same 'about' phrase in one sentence.

Wrong: 사실에 관하여.
Correct: 사실에 대하여.

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job mastering these formal structures! Keep practicing these in your writing, and you'll soon be reading Korean newspapers with ease.

Write a 5-sentence summary of a news article.

Continue to: Observations and Emotional Nuance

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

평화는 싸움이 없다 것을 뜻한다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 평화는 싸움이 없는 것을 뜻한다.
L'adjectif '없다' (ne pas exister/avoir) prend '-는' selon les conventions grammaticales coréennes pour les noms descriptifs, ce qui donne '없는 것을 뜻한다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Définir des concepts : 'Signifie que' (-ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다)

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme pour dire 'À propos de la K-pop'.

저는 케이팝( ) 말하고 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에 대하여
On utilise -에 대하여 car il est suivi du verbe '말하다' (parler).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans ce contexte formel.

Find and fix the mistake:

지금까지 느끼는 바를 말해 보세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지금까지 느낀 바를 말해 보세요.
'지금까지' (jusqu'à présent) implique de résumer des sentiments passés, donc la forme passée '느낀 바' est plus naturelle que le présent.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le 'Fait' Académique : -ㄴ/은/는 바

Remplis le vide avec la bonne particule.

이 드라마는 웹툰___ 바탕으로 제작되었습니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 을
Le mot '웹툰' se termine par une consonne (ㄴ), donc tu dois utiliser la particule '을'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Basé Sur: -을/를 바탕으로

Quelle phrase décrit correctement le 'livre' ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한국에 대한 책을 읽어요.
Pour décrire un nom (livre), on doit utiliser la forme adjectivale -에 대한.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)

Quelle phrase est grammaticalement correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 경험을 바탕으로 조언을 해줄게.
Tu dois inclure la particule d'objet '을' après '경험'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Basé Sur: -을/를 바탕으로

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette phrase formelle.

경제 대하여 공부해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 경제에 대하여 공부해요.
Tu dois inclure la particule '-에' avant '대하여'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dire 'à propos de' formellement en coréen (-에 대하여)

Quelle phrase définit correctement 'être rapide' ?

Choisis la bonne définition pour '속도'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 속도는 빠른 것을 뜻한다.
'빠르다' est un adjectif, il prend donc '-ㄴ' pour devenir '빠른' devant '것을 뜻한다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Définir des concepts : 'Signifie que' (-ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다)

Complète la phrase avec la forme formelle appropriée.

저는 한국 문화___ 발표하겠습니다. (Je vais faire une présentation sur la culture coréenne.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에 관하여
Comme cela précède le verbe '발표하겠습니다' (je vais présenter), la forme adverbiale -에 관하여 est correcte.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le 'À propos de' Formel (-에 관하여)

Lequel de ces titres semble le plus naturel pour un rapport formel ?

Choisis le meilleur titre pour un document sur le 'Réchauffement Climatique' :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지구 온난화에 관한 보고서
Pour modifier un nom comme '보고서' (rapport), on utilise la forme adjectivale -에 관한.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le 'À propos de' Formel (-에 관하여)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

C'est le standard, mais on l'utilise aussi dans les rapports ou pour expliquer une philosophie profonde. Par exemple : «진정한 자유는 책임을 뜻한다».
Oui, 의미한다 est un synonyme direct. Il est souvent utilisé dans des contextes plus techniques ou scientifiques, tandis que 뜻하다 est plus polyvalent.
Techniquement, les deux nominalisent les verbes. Cependant, «-ㄴ/은/는 바» est bien plus formel et désigne souvent un 'fait' ou une 'circonstance' précise plutôt qu'un objet général.
C'est très rare. Tu le verras surtout avec des verbes, surtout des verbes de perception comme 'savoir' «알다», 'ressentir' «느끼다» ou 'voir' «보다».
C'est surtout pour l'écrit formel et les discours. Dans la vie de tous les jours, on préfère «-에 대해서» ou le petit frère «-에 대해».
Non, c'est une faute ! La particule «에» est indispensable pour lier le nom au concept de 'concerner' : «그것에 대하여 몰라요».
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