B1 Idiom Neutre

자존심이 강하다.

Jajonsimi ganghada.

Have strong pride

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Describes someone with a powerful sense of self-respect who refuses to be belittled or compromise their dignity.

  • Means: To have a strong sense of pride or ego.
  • Used in: Describing personality traits, reactions to insults, or refusal to ask for help.
  • Don't confuse: Do not confuse with {自尊感|자존감} (self-esteem), which is purely internal and positive.
🛡️ + 👤 + 💪 = {自尊심|자존심}이 {强|강}하다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'to have strong pride.' {自尊心|자존심} is like 'my heart respects me.' {强|강}하다 is 'strong.' You use it to talk about a person who does not like to say 'I am sorry' or 'Help me.' It is a common way to describe a friend's personality.
You use '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다' to describe someone who values their dignity very much. In Korean, {自尊心|자존심} is the pride you show to other people. If someone is very strong-willed and doesn't want to look weak, you can say this. It can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the situation.
At this level, you should distinguish between having healthy self-respect and being stubborn. '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다' often implies that a person is sensitive about their reputation. It is frequently used in dramas to explain why characters have conflicts—they are too proud to admit their feelings or mistakes. It's an essential phrase for describing complex human relationships and personality traits.
This idiomatic expression captures the nuance of 'ego-maintenance.' While it literally translates to 'strong self-respect,' it carries a social weight. A person with '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다' might prioritize their 'face' over practical benefits. It's often contrasted with '{自尊感|자존감}' (self-esteem); the former is reactive to external stimuli, while the latter is an internal state of being. Understanding this distinction is key to mastering Korean social nuances.
Linguistically, this phrase functions as a psychological descriptor rooted in the Sino-Korean concept of the 'self.' It encapsulates the defensive mechanisms of the ego within a hierarchical society. When one's '{自尊心|자존심}' is 'strong,' it suggests a rigid boundary of the self that resists external encroachment or devaluation. In literary contexts, it often serves as a tragic flaw, leading characters to isolation due to an inability to show vulnerability.
This expression serves as a focal point for analyzing the socio-psychological landscape of Korean interpersonal dynamics. It reflects the ontological necessity of maintaining a 'strong' self-image in a culture where social validation and internal dignity are intricately linked. Mastery involves navigating the subtle shift between '{自尊心|자존심}' as a virtue of resilience and as a manifestation of 'narcissistic fragility.' It is the linguistic embodiment of the struggle between the individual's internal 'respect' and the external 'honor' system.

Signification

To possess a firm sense of self-respect and dignity.

🌍

Contexte culturel

Rooted in 'Seonbi' (scholar) culture, where maintaining one's dignity despite poverty was the highest virtue. In hierarchical offices, a subordinate with 'strong pride' is often seen as difficult to manage, leading to 'Gapjil' (abuse of power) conflicts. The 'Tsundere' character often has '{自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}하다,' hiding their true feelings behind a wall of pride. While Western cultures emphasize 'Self-Esteem' (internal), East Asian cultures traditionally emphasize 'Pride/Face' (relational).

💡

Positive Spin

In a job interview, use '자존심' to show you care about the quality of your work (professional pride).

⚠️

Negative Nuance

If you say '걔는 자존심만 강해' (He only has strong pride), it means he has no actual skills to back it up.

Signification

To possess a firm sense of self-respect and dignity.

💡

Positive Spin

In a job interview, use '자존심' to show you care about the quality of your work (professional pride).

⚠️

Negative Nuance

If you say '걔는 자존심만 강해' (He only has strong pride), it means he has no actual skills to back it up.

🎯

The 'Too' Rule

Always use '너무' (too) if you want to criticize someone's pride, and '워낙' (originally) if you're just describing their nature.

💬

The Apology Gap

In Korea, the person with 'stronger pride' often wins the social waiting game, but loses the relationship.

Teste-toi

Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank.

그는 _____이 강해서 남에게 도움을 청하는 것을 싫어한다.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 자존심

The context of 'hating to ask for help' points to 'pride' (자존심).

Complete the dialogue using the correct form of '자존심이 강하다'.

A: 왜 민수랑 아직도 화해 안 했어? B: 내가 먼저 연락하고 싶은데, 내 ( ) 허락하지 않아.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 자존심이

The phrase '내 자존심이 허락하지 않아' (My pride won't allow it) is a set expression.

Match the situation to the correct nuance of '자존심이 강하다'.

Situation: An artist refuses to change their painting style just to sell more copies.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Positive Professional Pride

Maintaining artistic integrity is a positive use of the phrase.

Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form.

자존심이 ( ) 사람과 대화할 때는 말조심을 해야 합니다.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 강한

We need the noun-modifying form (adnominal) to describe '사람' (person).

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

자존심 (Pride) vs 자존감 (Self-Esteem)

자존심 (Jajonsim)
External Based on others' views
Defensive Protects the ego
Fluctuating Changes with situation
자존감 (Jajongam)
Internal Based on self-love
Stable Doesn't need defense
Consistent Internal peace

Questions fréquentes

5 questions

It depends. It's a compliment for a professional or someone standing up for their rights, but a criticism for someone being stubborn in a relationship.

Yes, but usually to explain a difficulty, like 'I'm too proud to ask for help.'

There isn't one direct word, but '겸손하다' (to be humble) or '자존감이 낮다' (to have low self-esteem) are often used in contrast.

Because Korean social dynamics often revolve around 'Face' and hierarchy, making pride a major source of conflict.

No. Arrogance (거만) is looking down on others. Strong pride (자존심) is about protecting yourself from being looked down upon.

Expressions liées

🔗

{自尊心|자존심}을 {세|세}우다

similar

To assert one's pride.

🔗

{自尊感|자존감}이 {高|높}다

similar

To have high self-esteem.

🔗

{自負心|자부심}을 {感|느}끼다

specialized form

To feel professional pride.

🔗

{콧|콧}대가 {高|높}다

idiom

To be stuck-up.

Où l'utiliser

😤

Refusing an apology

A: 민수한테 사과했어?

B: 아니, 걔는 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 내가 먼저 사과해도 안 받을 거야.

informal
💼

Job Interview

Interviewee: 저는 제 일에 대한 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 완벽하게 끝내려고 노력합니다.

Interviewer: 그 점이 우리 회사와 잘 맞겠군요.

formal
💔

After a breakup

Friend: 전 남친한테 연락해 봐.

B: 싫어. 내 {自尊心|자존심}이 허락하지 않아.

informal
🚫

Refusing help

A: 돈 좀 빌려줄까?

B: 아니야, 괜찮아. 걔 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 그런 말 들으면 기분 나빠할걸.

neutral
⚽

Sports Competition

Coach: 상대 팀이 강하지만, 우리 선수들도 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 쉽게 지지 않을 겁니다.

neutral
📱

Social Media Comment

User1: 이 연예인은 {自尊心|자존심}이 {强|강}해서 악플에도 눈 하나 깜짝 안 하네.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a **JA**nt (Giant) with a **ZON**e (Zone) around his **SIM** (Heart) that is **GANG** (Strong). No one can enter his zone!

Visual Association

Imagine a person wearing a shiny, unbreakable suit of armor. People are throwing small pebbles (criticisms) at them, but the armor (pride) reflects everything back. The person stands tall and refuses to bend their knees.

Rhyme

자존심이 강해 (Jajonsimi ganghae), 절대 안 변해 (Jeoldae an byeonhae) - 'Pride is strong, never changes.'

Story

Min-su was offered a free meal by a rich bully. Even though Min-su was starving, his {自尊心|자존심} was too {强|강} (strong). He looked the bully in the eye, said 'No thanks,' and walked away with his head held high. He preferred a hungry stomach over a wounded ego.

Word Web

자존감 (Self-esteem)자부심 (Self-confidence/Pride)고집 (Stubbornness)체면 (Face/Honor)명예 (Honor)거만 (Arrogance)겸손 (Humility - Opposite)

Défi

Try to describe a character from your favorite K-drama using this phrase. Write 3 sentences explaining why their {自尊心|자존심} is {强|강}하다.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Tener mucho amor propio / Ser orgulloso

Korean distinguishes between internal self-worth and external pride more sharply.

French moderate

Avoir de l'amour-propre / Être fier

Korean '{自尊心|자존심}' is more about the 'heart' ({心|심}) and social face.

German partial

Stolz sein / Ein ausgeprägtes Ehrgefühl haben

German focuses on 'honor' (Ehre), while Korean focuses on the 'self' (자존).

Japanese high

プライドが高い (Puraido ga takai)

Japanese uses the loanword 'Pride,' while Korean uses the Hanja-based '{自尊心|자존심}.'

Arabic high

عزة النفس (Izzat al-nafs)

Arabic 'Izzat al-nafs' is almost always positive, whereas Korean can be negative (stubbornness).

Chinese high

自尊心强 (Zìzūnxīn qiáng)

Very little difference; perhaps slight variations in modern slang usage.

Portuguese moderate

Ter muito brio / Ser orgulhoso

Korean uses one phrase to cover the spectrum from honor to ego.

English high

To be prideful / To have a strong ego

English 'pride' is often a sin or a celebration; Korean '{自존심|자존심}' is a personality trait.

Easily Confused

자존심이 강하다. vs {自尊感|자존감} (Self-esteem)

Both start with 'Jajon' and relate to the self.

Jajon-SIM (Heart/Ego) is defensive; Jajon-GAM (Feeling/Sense) is stable and internal.

자존심이 강하다. vs {自信感|자신감} (Confidence)

Both involve feeling 'strong' about oneself.

Confidence is about 'I can do it'; Pride is about 'I am someone who shouldn't be ignored.'

FAQ (5)

It depends. It's a compliment for a professional or someone standing up for their rights, but a criticism for someone being stubborn in a relationship.

Yes, but usually to explain a difficulty, like 'I'm too proud to ask for help.'

There isn't one direct word, but '겸손하다' (to be humble) or '자존감이 낮다' (to have low self-esteem) are often used in contrast.

Because Korean social dynamics often revolve around 'Face' and hierarchy, making pride a major source of conflict.

No. Arrogance (거만) is looking down on others. Strong pride (자존심) is about protecting yourself from being looked down upon.

C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !