§ What ~ 말고 means
The Korean expression '~ 말고' is a really useful way to say 'instead of A' or 'not A but B'. It helps you point out what you DON'T want or what ISN'T the case, and then often follows up with what you DO want or what IS the case. Think of it as a way to clarify your choice or to correct a misunderstanding.
- Definition
- Used to say 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
§ Basic structure with nouns
When you use '~ 말고' with a noun, it directly attaches to the noun you want to exclude or replace. It's pretty straightforward.
Here's the pattern:
- Noun + 말고
This means 'not [Noun]' or 'instead of [Noun]'.
커피말고 차 주세요. (Please give me tea instead of coffee.)
이 책말고 저 책 읽고 싶어요. (I want to read that book instead of this book.)
§ Using ~ 말고 with verbs and adjectives
You can also use '~ 말고' with verbs and adjectives, but the structure changes a bit. You need to turn the verb or adjective into a noun form first. This is done by adding '-지' or '-는 것' to the stem of the verb or adjective, and then adding '말고'.
- Verb/Adjective Stem + -지 말고
- Verb/Adjective Stem + -는 것 말고 (less common in simple exclusions, but still grammatically correct)
'-지 말고' is very common when giving commands or making suggestions where you want someone to *not* do something, but *do* something else.
가지말고 여기 있어. (Don't go, stay here.)
울지 말고 이야기해 봐. (Don't cry, try to talk.)
§ More complex sentences
You can use '~ 말고' in more complex sentences to link two phrases or clauses. The first part uses '~ 말고' to express what is not or what is being replaced, and the second part states the alternative.
책을 읽는 것말고 영화를 보는 것이 어때요? (How about watching a movie instead of reading a book?)
큰 것말고 작은 것을 주세요. (Please give me the small one instead of the big one.)
Grammaire à connaître
Use ~말고 after a noun to indicate 'not this (noun) but something else'.
커피 말고 주스 주세요. (Please give me juice instead of coffee.)
~말고 can also be used with verbs, by first changing the verb to its nominalized form using ~는 것.
보는 것 말고 듣는 것을 좋아해요. (I like listening instead of watching.)
When used with '이다' (to be), it becomes '이거 말고' or '저거 말고', meaning 'not this but that' or 'not that but this'.
이거 말고 다른 것을 주세요. (Please give me something different, not this.)
~말고 often appears with '대신에' (instead of) or '말고 다른' (other than/different from).
책 말고 다른 것을 읽고 싶어요. (I want to read something other than a book.)
You can also use ~말고 at the end of a sentence as an imperative, meaning 'don't do something' or 'stop doing something', often implying to do something else instead.
걱정 말고! (Don't worry!)
Exemples par niveau
커피 말고 주스 주세요.
Coffee 말고 juice please.
A 말고 B 주세요: Please give me B instead of A.
오늘은 일 말고 쉬고 싶어요.
Today work 말고 want to rest.
A 말고 B 싶어요: I want to do B instead of A.
책 말고 영화 볼까요?
Book 말고 movie shall we watch?
A 말고 B (으)ㄹ까요?: Shall we watch B instead of A?
여름 말고 겨울이 좋아요.
Summer 말고 winter is good.
A 말고 B이/가 좋아요: I like B instead of A.
걷기 말고 버스 타요.
Walking 말고 bus let's take.
A 말고 B 타요: Let's take B instead of A.
어제는 숙제 말고 게임 했어요.
Yesterday homework 말고 game did.
A 말고 B 했어요: I played B instead of A yesterday.
이거 말고 저거 보여주세요.
This 말고 that show me please.
A 말고 B 보여주세요: Please show me B instead of A.
집 말고 공원에서 만나요.
House 말고 park in let's meet.
A 말고 B에서 만나요: Let's meet in B instead of A.
텔레비전 말고 책을 읽으세요.
Please read a book instead of watching television.
저는 커피 말고 차를 마실게요.
I'll drink tea instead of coffee.
오늘은 일 말고 쉬고 싶어요.
Today, I want to rest instead of working.
어제는 숙제 말고 영화를 봤어요.
Yesterday, I watched a movie instead of doing homework.
말하지 말고 행동으로 보여주세요.
Don't just talk, show it through your actions.
이 길 말고 다른 길로 가자.
Let's go by a different road, not this one.
저는 사과 말고 배를 좋아해요.
I like pears, not apples.
울지 말고 용기를 내세요.
Don't cry, be brave.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
커피 말고 주스 주세요.
Give me juice instead of coffee.
오늘 말고 내일 만나요.
Let's meet tomorrow instead of today.
이거 말고 다른 거 보여주세요.
Show me something else instead of this.
집 말고 밖에서 먹자.
Let's eat outside instead of at home.
차 말고 걸어가자.
Let's walk instead of taking the car.
연필 말고 펜으로 쓰세요.
Please write with a pen instead of a pencil.
한국 드라마 말고 영화 볼까요?
Shall we watch a movie instead of a Korean drama?
매운 음식 말고 안 매운 음식 주세요.
Please give me non-spicy food instead of spicy food.
혼자 말고 같이 가자.
Let's go together instead of alone.
저는 고기 말고 생선을 좋아해요.
I like fish instead of meat.
Modèles grammaticaux
Structures de phrases
A 말고 B (으)로
커피 말고 물 주세요. (Please give me water instead of coffee.)
A 말고 B
저는 영화 말고 드라마를 봐요. (I watch dramas instead of movies.)
A 말고 B-는
오늘은 일 말고 쉬고 싶어요. (Today, I want to rest instead of work.)
A 말고 B-를/을
책 말고 신문을 읽어요. (I read a newspaper instead of a book.)
A 말고 다른 것
이거 말고 다른 것을 보여주세요. (Please show me something else instead of this.)
A 말고 B-아/어서
버스를 타지 말고 걸어가요. (Let's walk instead of taking the bus.)
A 말고 B-고
울지 말고 웃어요. (Don't cry, but smile. / Smile instead of crying.)
A 말고 B-어야 하다
과거에 얽매이지 말고 미래를 봐야 해요. (You shouldn't be tied to the past, but look to the future.)
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Astuces
Basic Structure of ~ 말고
The basic structure is [Noun A] 말고 [Noun B]. It means 'not A but B' or 'B instead of A'. The noun before ~말고 is the item you are excluding or rejecting.
Example: Coffee 말고 Tea
If someone asks 'What would you like to drink?', you can say '커피 말고 차 주세요.' (Please give me tea instead of coffee.) This clearly indicates your preference.
Using with Verbs (Action Verbs)
~말고 can also be used with verbs, but it attaches to the verb stem + -지. So it becomes [Verb stem]-지 말고. This means 'don't do [Verb A] but do [Verb B]' or 'instead of doing [Verb A], do [Verb B]'.
Example: 앉지 말고 서세요
If you want to tell someone 'Don't sit, but stand', you would say '앉지 말고 서세요.' (Don't sit, stand up.)
Attaching to the End of a Sentence
~말고 can also be used at the end of a sentence to make a suggestion or a request in a more direct way, implying 'let's do something else instead'.
Example: 이거 말고?
If you're looking at an item and someone asks if you want it, you could say '이거 말고?' (Not this one? / Something else instead?) showing you're looking for an alternative.
Don't confuse with -지 않다
While both express negation, -지 않다 simply states 'not doing something' while -지 말고 implies 'do something else instead of doing this'.
Common Phrases with ~ 말고
You'll often hear phrases like '걱정 말고' (Don't worry / Instead of worrying), '울지 말고' (Don't cry / Instead of crying). These often precede a suggestion to do something else.
Politeness Level
Using ~말고 in imperative sentences (commands) can be direct. If you need to be more polite, add appropriate honorific endings to the verb that follows, such as -세요 or -십시오.
Similar Expressions
While ~말고 is common, you might also encounter '~ 대신에' (instead of) which has a similar meaning but can sometimes imply a substitution rather than a rejection. For example, '커피 대신에 차' (tea instead of coffee).
Teste-toi 78 questions
저는 커피 ___ 차를 마셔요. (I drink tea instead of coffee.)
'말고' is used to say 'instead of'.
영화 ___ 드라마를 봐요. (I watch dramas instead of movies.)
'말고' indicates a choice of 'instead of' or 'not this but that'.
오늘 숙제 ___ 게임을 했어요. (Today, I played games instead of homework.)
'말고' shows that you did something else instead of the first item.
학교 ___ 집에 가요. (I'm going home instead of school.)
Here, '말고' means 'not school but home'.
버스 ___ 지하철을 타요. (I take the subway instead of the bus.)
'말고' expresses a preference or choice over something else.
저는 사과 ___ 바나나를 먹어요. (I eat bananas instead of apples.)
'말고' means 'not apples but bananas'.
Translate this sentence into Korean: "Don't drink coffee, drink water."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
커피 말고 물 마셔요.
Translate this sentence into Korean: "I like apples, not oranges."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오렌지 말고 사과 좋아해요.
Translate this sentence into Korean: "Let's meet tomorrow, not today."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오늘 말고 내일 만나요.
How does the person go to school?
Read this passage:
저는 학교에 가요. 버스 말고 지하철을 타요. 지하철이 더 빨라요.
How does the person go to school?
The passage says "버스 말고 지하철을 타요," which means "I take the subway, not the bus."
The passage says "버스 말고 지하철을 타요," which means "I take the subway, not the bus."
What is for lunch today?
Read this passage:
오늘 점심은 밥이에요. 빵 말고 밥을 먹어요. 밥이 좋아요.
What is for lunch today?
The passage states "빵 말고 밥을 먹어요," meaning "I eat rice, not bread."
The passage states "빵 말고 밥을 먹어요," meaning "I eat rice, not bread."
What kind of movie do they watch?
Read this passage:
친구와 영화를 봐요. 액션 말고 코미디 영화를 봐요. 코미디가 재미있어요.
What kind of movie do they watch?
The sentence "액션 말고 코미디 영화를 봐요" means "I watch a comedy movie, not an action movie."
The sentence "액션 말고 코미디 영화를 봐요" means "I watch a comedy movie, not an action movie."
This sentence means 'Please give me an orange instead of an apple.' 사과 (apple) + 말고 (instead of) + 오렌지 (orange) + 주세요 (please give).
This sentence means 'I drink tea instead of coffee.' 커피 (coffee) + 말고 (instead of) + 차 (tea) + 마셔요 (I drink).
This sentence means 'I want to buy that instead of this.' 이거 (this) + 말고 (instead of) + 저거 (that) + 사고 싶어요 (I want to buy).
Listen for what drink is requested instead of coffee.
Listen for what item is needed, not the book.
Listen for when they should meet, not tomorrow.
Read this aloud:
사과 말고 바나나 주세요.
Focus: 말고 (malgo)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
버스 말고 지하철 탈까요?
Focus: 말고 (malgo)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
집에서 말고 밖에서 먹어요.
Focus: 말고 (malgo)
Tu as dit :
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저는 커피 ____ 차를 마실게요. (I'll drink tea instead of coffee.)
'~ 말고' is used to express 'instead of' or 'not this, but that.'
오늘은 영화 ____ 책을 읽을 거예요. (Today, I'm going to read a book instead of watching a movie.)
'~ 말고' indicates a choice or preference for one thing over another.
지금 ____ 나중에 만날까요? (Shall we meet later instead of now?)
This sentence uses '~ 말고' to suggest an alternative time for meeting.
차가 ____ 버스를 타는 게 좋겠어요. (It would be better to take the bus instead of a car.)
Here, '~ 말고' suggests choosing the bus over a car.
비싼 선물 ____ 마음을 담은 편지가 더 좋아요. (A heartfelt letter is better than an expensive gift.)
This sentence uses '~ 말고' to indicate preference for a letter over an expensive gift.
혼자 ____ 같이 가는 게 어때요? (How about going together instead of alone?)
'~ 말고' is used here to suggest doing something together instead of alone.
The speaker wants tea.
What does the speaker do on weekends instead of watching movies?
The speaker will go by bus.
Read this aloud:
밥 말고 빵 먹을래요?
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
제주도 말고 부산에 가고 싶어요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
검은색 말고 흰색 셔츠를 주세요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'I want to drink tea instead of coffee.' The structure 'A 말고 B' means 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
This sentence means 'Shall we go to the park instead of the movies this weekend?' The structure 'A 말고 B' is used to suggest an alternative.
This sentence means 'I want to study while listening to music instead of reading a book.' It indicates a preference for one activity over another.
저는 커피 ___ 차를 마시고 싶어요. (I want to drink tea instead of coffee.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
주말에는 영화 ___ 독서를 할 거예요. (On the weekend, I will read books instead of watching movies.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
저는 지하철 ___ 버스를 타고 학교에 가요. (I go to school by bus instead of subway.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
제 이야기를 ___ 다른 사람의 이야기를 들어 보세요. (Listen to someone else's story instead of mine.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
오늘은 공부 ___ 친구들과 놀러 갈 거예요. (Today, I will go out with friends instead of studying.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
저는 매운 음식 ___ 담백한 음식을 좋아해요. (I like mild food instead of spicy food.)
‘~말고’ is used to express 'not A but B' or 'instead of A'.
The speaker wants juice, not cola.
The speaker wants to rest today, not work.
The speaker is asking if someone wants tea instead of coffee.
Read this aloud:
저는 영화 말고 책을 읽을 거예요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
제주도 말고 부산에 가고 싶어요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
오늘은 저 말고 다른 분이 발표할 거예요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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저는 아침에는 커피 ___ 차를 마셔요.
'저는 아침에는 커피 말고 차를 마셔요' means 'In the morning, I drink tea instead of coffee.'
이번 주말에는 영화 ___ 공원에 갈 거예요.
'이번 주말에는 영화 말고 공원에 갈 거예요' means 'This weekend, I'm going to the park instead of the movies.'
돈 ___ 건강이 더 중요하다고 생각해요.
'돈 말고 건강이 더 중요하다고 생각해요' means 'I think health is more important than money.'
저는 매운 음식 ___ 담백한 음식을 좋아해요.
'저는 매운 음식 말고 담백한 음식을 좋아해요' means 'I like bland food instead of spicy food.'
여행 갈 때는 옷 ___ 편한 신발을 챙기세요.
'여행 갈 때는 옷 말고 편한 신발을 챙기세요' means 'When traveling, pack comfortable shoes instead of clothes.'
저는 대중교통 ___ 자전거로 출퇴근해요.
'저는 대중교통 말고 자전거로 출퇴근해요' means 'I commute by bike instead of public transportation.'
What does the speaker want to eat instead of rice?
What does the speaker suggest doing instead of watching TV?
What drink does the speaker prefer over coffee?
Read this aloud:
수영 말고 달리기를 할까요?
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
집 말고 다른 곳에서 만날까요?
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
버스 말고 지하철을 타는 게 더 빨라요.
Focus: 말고
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are discussing plans for dinner with a friend. You want to suggest eating at the new Italian restaurant instead of the usual Korean BBQ place. Write your suggestion using '~말고'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오늘 저녁은 한식 바비큐 말고 새로운 이탈리안 레스토랑에서 먹는 거 어때?
You need to finish a report for work, but you're tempted to watch a movie. Write a sentence expressing your decision to work on the report instead of watching a movie, using '~말고'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
지금은 영화 보는 거 말고 보고서 작업에 집중해야 해.
You're giving advice to a friend who is worried about their exam. You want to tell them to study consistently every day instead of cramming the night before. Write this advice using '~말고'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
시험 전날 벼락치기 공부하는 거 말고 매일 꾸준히 공부하는 게 훨씬 효과적이야.
According to the passage, what do experts recommend for long-term stress management, instead of temporary methods?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 사람들은 스트레스를 해소하기 위해 주로 술을 마시거나 폭식하는 경향이 있다고 합니다. 하지만 전문가들은 이러한 일시적인 방법 말고 규칙적인 운동이나 명상과 같은 건강한 습관을 통해 스트레스를 관리하는 것이 장기적으로 훨씬 이롭다고 조언합니다.
According to the passage, what do experts recommend for long-term stress management, instead of temporary methods?
The passage explicitly states '이러한 일시적인 방법 말고 규칙적인 운동이나 명상과 같은 건강한 습관을 통해 스트레스를 관리하는 것이 장기적으로 훨씬 이롭다고 조언합니다.' which means 'Experts advise that managing stress through healthy habits like regular exercise or meditation, instead of these temporary methods, is much more beneficial in the long run.'
The passage explicitly states '이러한 일시적인 방법 말고 규칙적인 운동이나 명상과 같은 건강한 습관을 통해 스트레스를 관리하는 것이 장기적으로 훨씬 이롭다고 조언합니다.' which means 'Experts advise that managing stress through healthy habits like regular exercise or meditation, instead of these temporary methods, is much more beneficial in the long run.'
What does the passage suggest we should use instead of disposable items like plastic straws and plastic bags?
Read this passage:
환경 보호에 대한 인식이 높아지면서, 많은 사람들이 일회용품 사용을 줄이려고 노력하고 있습니다. 플라스틱 빨대나 비닐봉투 같은 편리함은 잠시 접어두고, 대신 텀블러나 장바구니를 사용하는 등 작은 습관의 변화가 지구를 위한 큰 발걸음이 될 수 있습니다.
What does the passage suggest we should use instead of disposable items like plastic straws and plastic bags?
The passage states '플라스틱 빨대나 비닐봉투 같은 편리함은 잠시 접어두고, 대신 텀블러나 장바구니를 사용하는 등 작은 습관의 변화가 지구를 위한 큰 발걸음이 될 수 있습니다.' which means 'Putting aside the convenience of plastic straws and plastic bags, small changes in habits like using tumblers or reusable shopping bags can be a big step for the planet.' '대신' here functions similarly to '말고' in indicating an alternative.
The passage states '플라스틱 빨대나 비닐봉투 같은 편리함은 잠시 접어두고, 대신 텀블러나 장바구니를 사용하는 등 작은 습관의 변화가 지구를 위한 큰 발걸음이 될 수 있습니다.' which means 'Putting aside the convenience of plastic straws and plastic bags, small changes in habits like using tumblers or reusable shopping bags can be a big step for the planet.' '대신' here functions similarly to '말고' in indicating an alternative.
According to the passage, what can sometimes have a greater impact on a successful career than theoretical knowledge?
Read this passage:
많은 사람들이 성공적인 경력을 위해 학위나 자격증 취득에 집중합니다. 물론 이는 중요한 요소이지만, 때로는 이론적인 지식 말고 실제 경험과 인적 네트워크가 더 큰 영향을 미치기도 합니다. 실무 능력을 키우고 다양한 사람들과 교류하는 것이 장기적인 성장에 필수적입니다.
According to the passage, what can sometimes have a greater impact on a successful career than theoretical knowledge?
The passage says '때로는 이론적인 지식 말고 실제 경험과 인적 네트워크가 더 큰 영향을 미치기도 합니다.' which translates to 'However, sometimes practical experience and human networks, rather than theoretical knowledge, have a greater impact.'
The passage says '때로는 이론적인 지식 말고 실제 경험과 인적 네트워크가 더 큰 영향을 미치기도 합니다.' which translates to 'However, sometimes practical experience and human networks, rather than theoretical knowledge, have a greater impact.'
다음 중 가장 자연스러운 문장을 고르세요: 나는 커피 말고 차를 마실 거야.
'~ 말고'는 'A가 아니라 B'라는 의미를 나타내므로, 커피 대신 차를 마신다는 문맥에 가장 자연스럽습니다.
빈칸에 들어갈 가장 적절한 표현은? 저는 밥 ____ 빵을 먹었어요.
'~ 말고'는 'A가 아니라 B'라는 의미를 나타내므로, 밥 대신 빵을 먹었다는 문맥에 가장 적절합니다.
다음 대화에서 밑줄 친 부분과 바꿔 쓸 수 있는 표현은? "A: 점심으로 뭐 먹을래? B: 비빔밥 말고 김치찌개 먹고 싶어."
'~ 말고'는 'A가 아니라 B'와 동일한 의미를 가지므로, 비빔밥 대신 김치찌개를 먹고 싶다는 의미를 나타냅니다.
'이거 말고 저거 주세요'는 '이것 대신 저것을 주세요'와 같은 의미이다.
'~ 말고'는 어떤 것을 선택하지 않고 다른 것을 선택할 때 사용됩니다. 따라서 '이것 대신 저것을 주세요'와 같은 의미입니다.
'~ 말고'는 동사 뒤에 붙어서 사용될 수 있다.
'~ 말고'는 명사 뒤에 붙어 'A가 아니라 B'라는 의미를 나타냅니다. 동사 뒤에는 주로 '~지 말고' 형태로 사용됩니다.
친한 친구에게 '너 말고 다른 사람'이라고 말하는 것은 무례한 표현이다.
'~ 말고'는 단순히 'A가 아니라 B'라는 의미를 전달할 뿐, 상황에 따라 무례하게 들릴 수도 있고 아닐 수도 있습니다. 이 문장 자체만으로는 무례하다고 단정할 수 없습니다.
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Basic Structure of ~ 말고
The basic structure is [Noun A] 말고 [Noun B]. It means 'not A but B' or 'B instead of A'. The noun before ~말고 is the item you are excluding or rejecting.
Example: Coffee 말고 Tea
If someone asks 'What would you like to drink?', you can say '커피 말고 차 주세요.' (Please give me tea instead of coffee.) This clearly indicates your preference.
Using with Verbs (Action Verbs)
~말고 can also be used with verbs, but it attaches to the verb stem + -지. So it becomes [Verb stem]-지 말고. This means 'don't do [Verb A] but do [Verb B]' or 'instead of doing [Verb A], do [Verb B]'.
Example: 앉지 말고 서세요
If you want to tell someone 'Don't sit, but stand', you would say '앉지 말고 서세요.' (Don't sit, stand up.)
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입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
