Explanation at your level:
At this level, think of 불법적이다 as the word for 'no' in the eyes of the law. If you see a sign that says 'No entry', you can say that entering there is 불법적이다. It is a big word, but very useful to know so you can understand what is allowed and what is not in a new country.
You can use 불법적이다 to talk about things that are not allowed. For example, 'It is 불법적이다 to steal.' It is a common adjective used to describe actions that break the rules of a city or country. Remember to use it when you want to warn someone that something is not permitted by the law.
As you move to intermediate, you will see 불법적이다 used more in news and formal writing. It is the standard way to describe 'illegal' activities. You might say 'The company was involved in 불법적인 activities.' Notice how we add -인 to the end to describe the noun 'activities'. This is a key pattern for many Korean adjectives.
At the B2 level, you can use 불법적이다 to discuss social issues. It is often used in debates about policy or ethics. You might hear people discuss whether a certain protest or action is 불법적이다 or simply 'unethical'. Understanding the nuance between 'illegal' and 'unethical' is a great way to show your advanced language skills.
In advanced contexts, 불법적이다 can be used to describe systemic issues or complex legal situations. It often appears in academic papers or legal discourse regarding international law or corporate governance. You will see it used in phrases like 'systemically 불법적이다' to describe a process that is fundamentally flawed. It is a powerful tool for precision in formal communication.
Mastering this word at the C2 level involves understanding its role in formal rhetoric. It is not just about breaking a rule; it is about the violation of the social contract. Writers often use it to create a strong, definitive tone when criticizing corruption or injustice. By using 불법적이다, you are making a clear, authoritative statement that leaves little room for ambiguity.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means 'illegal' or 'unlawful'.
- Used in formal and serious contexts.
- Antonym is '합법적이다'.
- Modifies nouns as '불법적인'.
When we say something is 불법적이다, we are essentially saying it is against the law. Think of it as the opposite of being lawful or permitted. It is a very common term used to describe things that authorities have banned or restricted.
You might use this word to describe an action, like parking in a no-parking zone, or even a business practice that doesn't follow government rules. It is a serious word that carries weight, so native speakers use it when they want to emphasize that a line has been crossed regarding the law.
The word 불법적이다 is built from Sino-Korean roots. The first part, 불 (不), is a prefix meaning 'not' or 'non'. The second part, 법 (法), means 'law'. Finally, 적 (的) is a suffix that turns nouns into descriptive adjectives.
By combining these, you get 'not-law-like', which evolved into the modern meaning of 'illegal'. This structure is very common in Korean, where adding -적이다 to a noun creates a word that describes the characteristics of that noun. It is a fascinating example of how logical the Korean language can be once you learn the building blocks!
In daily life, you will hear 불법적이다 in news broadcasts or serious conversations. It is often paired with nouns like 행위 (act) or 거래 (transaction). For example, 불법적인 거래 means an 'illegal transaction'.
While it is a formal word, it is used in casual settings too, like when friends discuss something that seems 'shady' or 'against the rules'. However, be careful not to use it for minor rule-breaking, like playing a game incorrectly; for that, you would use a different word like 반칙 (foul).
While 불법적이다 is a direct descriptor, it appears in many common phrases:
- 불법을 저지르다: To commit an illegal act.
- 불법으로 간주되다: To be considered illegal.
- 불법적인 수단: Illegal means or methods.
- 불법 체류자: An illegal immigrant (often used in news).
- 불법 주차: Illegal parking.
Grammatically, 불법적이다 functions as a descriptive adjective. It can modify a noun by changing to 불법적인 (e.g., 불법적인 행동 - illegal behavior). It can also end a sentence directly as 그것은 불법적이다 (That is illegal).
Pronunciation-wise, pay attention to the double consonant sounds. It is pronounced as 'bul-beop-jeog-i-da'. The 'p' sound in beop is held slightly before moving to the 'j' sound. It has a steady, rhythmic cadence common in formal Korean words.
Fun Fact
The suffix -적이다 is one of the most productive in the Korean language.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean phonetic approximation
Standard Korean phonetic approximation
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the double consonant 'p'
- Ignoring the 'j' sound
- Adding extra vowels
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read but formal.
Requires correct particle usage.
Easy to pronounce.
Clear sounds.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
-적이다 Suffix
불법적이다
Adjective Modification
불법적인 행동
Sentence Ending
그것은 불법적이다.
Examples by Level
그것은 불법적이다.
That is illegal.
Simple subject-predicate
불법적이다.
It is illegal.
Adjective usage
이것은 불법적이다.
This is illegal.
Demonstrative pronoun
불법적이다, 안 돼.
It is illegal, no.
Two short sentences
그 행동은 불법적이다.
That action is illegal.
Noun + particle
모두 불법적이다.
Everything is illegal.
Quantifier usage
정말 불법적이다.
It is really illegal.
Adverb + adjective
불법적이다, 위험해.
It is illegal, it is dangerous.
Two adjectives
그것은 완전히 불법적이다.
불법적인 행동을 하지 마세요.
이것은 법적으로 불법적이다.
그들은 불법적인 일을 했다.
불법적인 주차는 나쁘다.
그것은 매우 불법적이다.
불법적인 거래는 위험하다.
우리는 불법적이다.
그 회사는 불법적인 방법을 사용했다.
그것이 왜 불법적인지 설명해주세요.
불법적인 행위를 멈춰야 합니다.
그는 불법적인 활동으로 체포되었다.
그것은 명백히 불법적이다.
불법적인 복제는 허용되지 않습니다.
그들은 불법적인 이익을 취했다.
불법적인 시위는 금지된다.
그 정책은 불법적이라는 비판을 받았다.
불법적인 수단을 동원하는 것은 옳지 않다.
그것은 불법적인 것으로 판명되었다.
정부는 불법적인 관행을 조사하고 있다.
불법적인 도박은 심각한 범죄입니다.
그는 불법적인 경로로 정보를 얻었다.
불법적인 행위는 법적 처벌을 받는다.
그것은 도덕적으로나 불법적으로나 잘못되었다.
그의 행동은 불법적일 뿐만 아니라 비윤리적이다.
불법적인 자금 세탁 혐의로 기소되었다.
그 조치는 불법적인 것으로 간주되어 철회되었다.
불법적인 관행을 근절하기 위한 노력이 필요하다.
그는 불법적인 영향력을 행사했다는 의혹을 받고 있다.
불법적인 데이터 수집은 개인정보 보호법 위반이다.
그 계약은 불법적인 조항을 포함하고 있다.
불법적인 체류 상태를 해소하기 위한 대책이 마련되었다.
그의 주장은 불법적인 행위를 정당화하려는 시도로 보인다.
불법적인 카르텔 형성은 시장 경제를 저해한다.
그는 불법적인 수단을 통해 권력을 장악했다.
불법적인 점유는 법적 분쟁의 소지가 다분하다.
그것은 명백히 불법적인 행태로 규정할 수 있다.
불법적인 유출을 막기 위한 보안 조치가 강화되었다.
그 규정은 불법적인 차별을 조장할 위험이 있다.
불법적인 행위가 만연한 사회는 미래가 없다.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"불법을 저지르다"
To commit an illegal act.
그는 불법을 저질렀다.
neutral"불법으로 간주하다"
To regard as illegal.
이것은 불법으로 간주된다.
formal"불법의 탈을 쓰다"
To be disguised as something illegal (or vice versa).
그것은 불법의 탈을 쓴 합법이다.
literary"불법적인 경로"
Illegal channels or methods.
불법적인 경로로 돈을 벌었다.
neutral"불법의 사각지대"
A legal gray area.
이곳은 불법의 사각지대다.
neutral"불법을 일삼다"
To habitually engage in illegal activities.
그들은 불법을 일삼는 집단이다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean illegal.
위법 is more strictly legal/technical.
위법 행위 vs 불법적 행동.
Both mean rule-breaking.
반칙 is for games/sports.
게임 반칙.
Both imply something wrong.
부당 is about fairness, not just law.
부당한 대우.
They are antonyms.
One is legal, one is not.
합법적 거래 vs 불법적 거래.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 은/는 + 불법적이다
그것은 불법적이다.
Noun + 은/는 + 불법적이다
그 행동은 불법적이다.
Adverb + 불법적이다
그것은 명백히 불법적이다.
불법적인 + Noun
불법적인 거래를 했다.
Subject + 은/는 + 불법적이라고 + 생각한다
나는 그것이 불법적이라고 생각한다.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
불법적이다 is for legal violations, not game rules.
Antonyms are easily swapped.
It is an adjective, not a verb.
It sounds too formal for simple disagreements.
Must use -인 to modify nouns.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a judge hitting a gavel and shouting '불법적이다!'
When Native Speakers Use It
When reporting crimes or rule-breaking.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value law-abiding behavior; this word is taken seriously.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -적이다 turns a noun into an adjective.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'p' sound in 'beop'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for minor mistakes.
Did You Know?
The root '법' is in many words like '방법' (method).
Study Smart
Learn it alongside '합법적이다'.
Write Better
Use '명백히 불법적이다' for emphasis.
Sound Natural
Use it in serious debates.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Bul-beop (Bull-law): A bull breaking the law!
Visual Association
A red 'X' over a law book.
Word Web
Défi
Try to find 3 things that are illegal in your country.
Origine du mot
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Not-law-like
Contexte culturel
Can be a heavy word; use with caution in casual conversation.
Equivalent to 'illegal' or 'unlawful'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal News
- 불법적인 행위
- 불법으로 간주되다
- 조사 중
Workplace
- 불법적인 관행
- 규정 위반
- 보고하다
Daily Life
- 불법 주차
- 불법 복제
- 경찰 신고
Academic Debate
- 불법적인 수단
- 윤리적 문제
- 법적 근거
Conversation Starters
"불법적인 행동을 본 적이 있나요?"
"왜 어떤 행동은 불법적일까요?"
"불법적인 일을 하는 사람을 어떻게 생각하세요?"
"불법적인 주차를 어떻게 해결해야 할까요?"
"불법적인 복제를 막을 수 있을까요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you saw something illegal.
Why is it important for a society to have laws?
What is the difference between illegal and unethical?
How do laws change over time?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective.
No, use '반칙' instead.
Yes, it is quite formal.
Yes, '합법적이다'.
Use '불법적인'.
Only when discussing serious topics.
Yes, like 'illegal drugs'.
Yes, '위법적이다'.
Teste-toi
그 행동은 ___.
It describes the action.
What does 불법적이다 mean?
It means against the law.
불법적이다 is a verb.
It is an adjective.
Word
Signification
These are opposites.
Subject + Adverb + Adjective.
___ 주차는 불법적이다.
Illegal parking.
Which is a synonym?
Both mean illegal.
Can you use 불법적이다 to describe a person?
Yes, e.g., 'He is an illegal person' (불법적인 사람).
Subject + Adverb + Adjective.
그 계약은 ___ 조항을 포함한다.
Illegal clauses.
Score : /10
Summary
불법적이다 is the standard Korean adjective for describing anything that violates the law.
- Means 'illegal' or 'unlawful'.
- Used in formal and serious contexts.
- Antonym is '합법적이다'.
- Modifies nouns as '불법적인'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a judge hitting a gavel and shouting '불법적이다!'
When Native Speakers Use It
When reporting crimes or rule-breaking.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value law-abiding behavior; this word is taken seriously.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -적이다 turns a noun into an adjective.
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