At the A1 level, '상당수' might be a bit difficult. Think of it as a very fancy way to say 'many' (많아요). Imagine you have a bag of 100 candies. If you give away 40 candies, that is a '상당수' (a significant number). You don't need to use this word yet, but if you see it in a book, just remember: it means 'a lot of something that we can count.' It is usually used with people (상당수의 사람들 - many people) or things. In A1, we usually use '많이' or '많아요,' but '상당수' is like the 'king' of '많이' in serious books. If you learn this now, you will sound like a very smart student! Just remember: 상당수 = a big number.
For A2 learners, '상당수' is a useful word to recognize in news or simple articles. It's a noun that means 'a considerable number.' You can use it when '많이' (many) feels too simple. For example, instead of saying '많은 학생들이 공부해요' (Many students study), you can say '상당수의 학생들이 공부해요' to sound more formal. It's important to notice the '의' after '상당수' when it describes a noun. Also, remember that '상당수' is only for things you can count, like people, cars, or books. You cannot use it for water or love. It's a great word to use in your writing tasks to get a higher score!
At the B1 level, you should start using '상당수' in your formal writing and presentations. This word is perfect for describing trends or results. For example, '상당수의 한국인들이 커피를 좋아합니다' (A significant number of Koreans like coffee). Notice how it provides a more objective tone than '많은'. It suggests that you have observed a group and found the number to be noteworthy. You should also learn the pattern 'Noun + 중 상당수', such as '지원자 중 상당수' (A significant number among the applicants). This is a key word for moving from 'everyday Korean' to 'academic/professional Korean.'
B2 learners should master the nuance of '상당수' compared to '대다수' (majority) and '과반수' (more than half). '상당수' is a flexible term; it doesn't require a mathematical majority, but it emphasizes that the number is large enough to have an impact. In B2 level discussions, use '상당수' to acknowledge a significant minority or a large group that isn't necessarily the whole. You will frequently encounter this in 'Topic' (TOPIK) exam reading passages, especially those dealing with social issues, economics, or psychology. Practice using it with particles like '상당수가' (as a subject) and '상당수를' (as an object) to show grammatical flexibility.
At the C1 level, you should use '상당수' to add precision and professional flair to your discourse. It is often used in rhetorical strategies to highlight a problem or a trend without sounding hyperbolic. For instance, in a debate, saying '상당수의 전문가들이 우려를 표하고 있습니다' (A significant number of experts are expressing concern) sounds much more credible than using simpler terms. You should also be aware of related Hanja terms like '상당량' (considerable amount) for uncountable nouns and '상당액' (considerable sum) for money. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between '상당수' and '다수' (a simple many), using the former to imply 'noteworthiness.'
For C2 learners, '상당수' is a tool for nuanced expression in high-level academic writing, policy papers, or literary analysis. You should understand its placement within the broader spectrum of Korean quantifiers, from '극소수' (tiny minority) to '태반' (most/the greater part). A C2 speaker uses '상당수' to maintain an objective, detached, yet authoritative voice. You might use it to describe the prevalence of a specific linguistic feature in a corpus or the distribution of a demographic in a complex sociological study. Mastery at this level involves knowing exactly when '상당수' is more appropriate than '적지 않은 수' (a not-insignificant number) to achieve the desired rhetorical effect.

상당수 en 30 secondes

  • 상당수 means 'a significant number' and is used for countable things.
  • It is a formal noun, common in news, reports, and academic writing.
  • It is often used as '상당수의' (modifier) or '상당수가' (subject).
  • It differs from '대다수' (majority) by focusing on being 'noteworthy' rather than 'most'.

The Korean word 상당수 (相當數) is a sophisticated noun used to describe a quantity that is 'considerable' or 'significant.' It is composed of the Hanja characters 상 (相 - mutual/considerable), 당 (當 - appropriate/equal), and 수 (數 - number). When combined, they literally translate to an 'appropriately large number.' In practical usage, it refers to a portion of a group that is large enough to be meaningful or to influence a situation, though it does not necessarily imply a majority (over 50%).

Grammatical Function
It functions as a noun that often takes the subject particle '가' (상당수가) or acts as an adnominal modifier with '의' (상당수의).
Nuance
Unlike '대다수' (the vast majority), '상당수' suggests a size that is 'notable' or 'substantial' without being definitive about being the most.

이번 투표에서 상당수의 유권자가 기권했습니다.

— A significant number of voters abstained in this election.

In academic and journalistic contexts, this word is indispensable. It allows writers to acknowledge a large group without committing to a specific percentage. For instance, if 40% of people agree on a topic, calling them 'the majority' (대다수) would be factually incorrect, but calling them '상당수' (a significant number) is perfectly accurate and emphasizes the weight of their opinion.

조사 결과, 상당수의 기업들이 재택근무를 선호하는 것으로 나타났습니다.

Visualizing Quantity
Think of a pie chart. If 10% is '소수' (minority) and 80% is '대다수' (majority), '상당수' usually occupies that significant 30-60% range where the impact is felt strongly.

최근 상당수의 젊은이들이 1인 가구로 살고 있습니다.

전문가들 중 상당수가 이 계획에 반대하고 있습니다.

Formal Reports
You will see this word in 90% of Korean news articles regarding social trends or statistics.

기존 건물 중 상당수가 노후화되어 안전 점검이 시급합니다.

Using 상당수 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that quantifies other nouns. It is rarely used in isolation without a clear referent. It functions similarly to 'a great many' or 'a significant number of' in English. Here is a deep dive into its structural patterns.

1. The '상당수의 + Noun' Pattern

This is the most common way to use the word. By adding the possessive particle '의', you turn '상당수' into a modifier for the following noun. This pattern is used to specify exactly what group is being discussed in large numbers.

  • 상당수의 학생들 (A significant number of students)
  • 상당수의 의견 (A significant number of opinions)
  • 상당수의 부작용 (A significant number of side effects)

"상당수의 시민들이 축제에 참여했습니다." (A significant number of citizens participated in the festival.)

2. The 'Noun + 중 상당수' Pattern

This pattern is used when you want to pick out a significant portion from a pre-defined group. It is often followed by particles like '가' (subject) or '를' (object).

  • 참석자 중 상당수가 (A significant number of the attendees...)
  • 지원자 중 상당수를 (A significant number of the applicants [object]...)

"지원자 중 상당수가 해외 경험이 있었습니다." (A significant number of the applicants had overseas experience.)

3. Formal vs. Informal Register

While you can use '상당수' in spoken Korean, it sounds quite formal. In a casual setting with friends, you would likely use '많은' or '꽤 많은'. However, if you are giving a presentation at a university or writing a business email, '상당수' is the preferred choice because it sounds objective and precise.

Casual:
사람들이 진짜 많이 왔어요.
Formal:
상당수의 인원이 참석하였습니다.

4. Collocations to Remember

Certain verbs and adjectives naturally pair with '상당수'. Understanding these will make your Korean sound more natural.

상당수를 차지하다
To account for a significant number (e.g., '외국인이 상당수를 차지한다').
상당수에 달하다
To reach a significant number (e.g., '피해액이 상당수에 달한다').
상당수가 포함되다
To include a significant number.

If you consume Korean media, you will encounter 상당수 daily. It is a staple of the 'News Korean' vocabulary. Let's look at specific environments where this word thrives.

1. News Headlines and Broadcasts

News anchors use '상당수' to report on social trends, crime statistics, or political shifts. It provides a sense of gravity to the report without needing to cite exact percentages immediately.

"[속보] 수도권 아파트 중 상당수가 전세 사기 위험에 노출..."

— Breaking News: A significant number of apartments in the capital area are exposed to rental fraud risk...

2. Academic Papers and Research

In research, precision is key, but sometimes a general 'significant' category is needed before diving into the data. You will find it in the 'Introduction' or 'Conclusion' sections of papers.

3. Business Meetings and Reports

When discussing market share, customer feedback, or project risks, '상당수' is the go-to word for professionals. It sounds more analytical than 'many'.

  • 상당수의 고객이 환불을 요청했습니다. (A significant number of customers requested a refund.)
  • 상당수 프로젝트가 지연되고 있습니다. (A significant number of projects are being delayed.)

4. Documentaries and Educational Content

When a narrator describes nature or history, '상당수' is used to describe the prevalence of a species or the survival of historical artifacts.

"이 지역에 서식하는 조류 중 상당수가 멸종 위기종입니다." (A significant number of the birds inhabiting this region are endangered species.)

In summary, '상당수' is the language of the 'informed observer.' It is the word you use when you have looked at the data and concluded that the numbers are too high to ignore.

Even advanced learners sometimes stumble when using 상당수. Because it translates to 'a significant number,' it's easy to misapply it as an adverb or use it with uncountable nouns. Let's correct these common errors.

1. Confusing '상당수' (Noun) with '상당히' (Adverb)

This is the #1 mistake. '상당수' refers to a count of items. '상당히' refers to the degree of a quality.

❌ Incorrect:
이 음식은 상당수 매워요. (This food is significant number spicy.)
✅ Correct:
이 음식은 상당히 매워요. (This food is considerably spicy.)

2. Using it with Uncountable Nouns

In English, we can say 'a significant amount of water.' In Korean, '상당수' specifically contains the character '수' (number), meaning it is for countable items (people, objects, cases). For uncountable things like water, time, or money, use '상당량' (considerable amount) or '상당한 양'.

  • 상당수: 사람들, 책들, 자동차들 (Countable)
  • 상당량: 물, 시간, 돈, 에너지 (Uncountable)

3. Redundancy with '많은'

Avoid saying '많은 상당수의'. Since '상당수' already implies 'a large number,' adding '많은' is redundant and sounds awkward to native speakers.

"많은 상당수의 사람들이..." (❌)
"상당수의 사람들이..." (✅)

4. Overusing it in Casual Speech

While not grammatically 'wrong,' using '상당수' while hanging out with friends at a cafe can make you sound like a robot or a news reporter. If you want to sound natural, stick to '진짜 많아' or '꽤 많아' in casual settings.

To master 상당수, you must understand its neighbors. Korean has many words for 'many' or 'most,' each with a specific nuance.

1. 상당수 vs. 대다수 (The Majority)

'대다수' (Most/Majority) implies a much larger percentage than '상당수'. If 90% of people agree, use '대다수'. If 45% agree (which is still a lot), use '상당수'.

2. 상당수 vs. 다수 (Many/Multiple)

'다수' is a neutral term for 'many.' '상당수' adds the nuance of 'considerable' or 'noteworthy.' Using '상당수' implies that the number is large enough to be surprising or important.

3. 상당수 vs. 허다하다 (To be Common/Numerous)

'허다하다' is an adjective meaning something is so common it's almost unremarkable. '상당수' is a noun focusing on the quantity itself.

WordNuanceEnglish Equivalent
상당수A notable, significant numberA significant number
대다수The vast majority (>70-80%)The majority
다수A simple many/multipleMany / A multitude
소수A small number/minorityA minority

4. Synonyms in Context

  • 꽤 많은 수: (A fairly large number) - Slightly less formal.
  • 적지 않은 수: (A not-small number) - A common rhetorical way to say 'many'.
  • 부지기수: (Innumerable) - Used when the number is so large it's hard to count.

By choosing '상당수', you are signaling that you are providing a measured, professional assessment of a quantity.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

~의 (Possessive particle)

~중 (Among/Between)

~가/이 (Subject particle)

~를/을 (Object particle)

~는 것으로 나타나다 (To appear to be...)

Exemples par niveau

1

상당수의 학생들이 학교에 왔어요.

A significant number of students came to school.

상당수 + 의 (possessive) + noun

2

사과가 상당수 남았습니다.

A significant number of apples are left.

상당수 as a noun subject

3

상당수의 사람들이 공원에 있어요.

A significant number of people are in the park.

Focus on '상당수의' as a modifier

4

가방에 상당수의 책이 들어있어요.

There are a significant number of books in the bag.

Countable noun '책' used with '상당수'

5

상당수의 친구들이 파티에 왔어요.

A significant number of friends came to the party.

Plural noun '친구들'

6

상당수의 차가 길에 서 있어요.

A significant number of cars are standing on the road.

Noun '차' (car)

7

상당수의 옷을 샀어요.

I bought a significant number of clothes.

Object usage

8

상당수의 꽃이 피었습니다.

A significant number of flowers have bloomed.

Intransitive verb '피다'

1

상당수의 직원이 휴가를 떠났습니다.

A significant number of employees went on vacation.

Formal ending '-습니다'

2

이 책들 중 상당수가 재미있어요.

A significant number of these books are interesting.

Noun + 중 (among) + 상당수

3

상당수의 외국인이 한국어를 배웁니다.

A significant number of foreigners learn Korean.

Subject '외국인이'

4

상당수의 문제가 해결되었습니다.

A significant number of problems have been solved.

Passive form '해결되었습니다'

5

마을의 상당수 집들이 새로 지어졌어요.

A significant number of houses in the village were newly built.

Noun '집들'

6

상당수의 관객이 영화를 보고 울었습니다.

A significant number of audience members cried while watching the movie.

Noun '관객' (audience)

7

상당수의 동물이 숲에 살고 있습니다.

A significant number of animals live in the forest.

Progressive '-고 있다'

8

상당수의 가게가 문을 닫았습니다.

A significant number of shops have closed.

Past tense '-았습니다'

1

상당수의 전문가들이 이 의견에 동의합니다.

A significant number of experts agree with this opinion.

Professional context

2

조사 대상자 중 상당수가 긍정적으로 답했습니다.

A significant number of the survey respondents answered positively.

Survey terminology

3

상당수의 중소기업이 경영난을 겪고 있습니다.

A significant number of small and medium enterprises are experiencing management difficulties.

Economic context

4

상당수의 부작용이 보고되어 판매가 중단되었습니다.

A significant number of side effects were reported, so sales were suspended.

Cause and effect '-어서'

5

상당수의 유적지가 전쟁으로 파괴되었습니다.

A significant number of historical sites were destroyed by the war.

Historical context

6

상당수의 시민이 환경 보호 캠페인에 참여했습니다.

A significant number of citizens participated in the environmental protection campaign.

Social participation

7

상당수의 논문이 이 이론을 뒷받침합니다.

A significant number of papers support this theory.

Academic context

8

상당수의 청년들이 취업을 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

A significant number of young people are striving for employment.

Social trend

1

상당수의 국가가 기후 변화 협약에 서명했습니다.

A significant number of countries signed the climate change agreement.

International relations

2

상당수의 데이터가 손실되어 복구가 불가능합니다.

A significant number of data were lost, making recovery impossible.

Technical context

3

상당수의 피해자들이 보상을 요구하고 있습니다.

A significant number of victims are demanding compensation.

Legal/Social context

4

상당수의 투표 용지가 무효 처리되었습니다.

A significant number of ballot papers were invalidated.

Political context

5

상당수의 앱이 개인 정보를 유출하는 것으로 밝혀졌습니다.

It was revealed that a significant number of apps leak personal information.

Reporting structure '-는 것으로 밝혀지다'

6

상당수의 고전 문학이 현대어로 번역되었습니다.

A significant number of classical literary works have been translated into modern language.

Literary context

7

상당수의 환자들이 이 약의 효능을 경험했습니다.

A significant number of patients experienced the efficacy of this drug.

Medical context

8

상당수의 건물이 지진에 견딜 수 있도록 설계되었습니다.

A significant number of buildings were designed to withstand earthquakes.

Engineering context

1

상당수의 철학자들이 이 가설의 모순을 지적해 왔다.

A significant number of philosophers have pointed out the contradictions in this hypothesis.

Academic present perfect '-해 왔다'

2

상당수의 유전자가 환경적 요인에 의해 발현된다.

A significant number of genes are expressed by environmental factors.

Scientific terminology

3

상당수의 고용주들이 유연 근무제의 도입을 검토 중이다.

A significant number of employers are considering the introduction of flexible working hours.

Business formal '-중이다'

4

상당수의 비평가들이 그의 신작을 올해의 책으로 꼽았다.

A significant number of critics chose his new work as the book of the year.

Literary criticism

5

상당수의 언론이 정부의 이번 발표를 비판적으로 보도했다.

A significant number of media outlets reported the government's announcement critically.

Journalistic context

6

상당수의 소수 민족이 자신들의 문화를 지키기 위해 투쟁한다.

A significant number of ethnic minorities struggle to preserve their culture.

Sociological context

7

상당수의 투자자들이 시장의 불확실성 때문에 자금을 회수했다.

A significant number of investors withdrew their funds due to market uncertainty.

Financial context

8

상당수의 예술가들이 디지털 기술을 창작에 접목하고 있다.

A significant number of artists are integrating digital technology into their creations.

Artistic context

1

상당수의 고문헌이 아직 해독되지 않은 채 보관되어 있다.

A significant number of ancient documents are kept without being deciphered yet.

Advanced descriptive '-ㄴ 채'

2

상당수의 법조인들이 이번 판결이 선례가 될 것임을 확신한다.

A significant number of legal professionals are certain that this ruling will become a precedent.

Legal terminology

3

상당수의 도시 공학자들이 스마트 시티의 지속 가능성을 논한다.

A significant number of urban engineers discuss the sustainability of smart cities.

Specialized field

4

상당수의 언어학자들이 인공지능의 언어 습득 능력을 회의적으로 본다.

A significant number of linguists view AI's language acquisition abilities skeptically.

Intellectual discourse

5

상당수의 심리학적 실험이 재현성 위기에 직면해 있다.

A significant number of psychological experiments are facing a reproducibility crisis.

Complex social science

6

상당수의 외교관들이 다자주의의 쇠퇴를 우려하고 있다.

A significant number of diplomats are concerned about the decline of multilateralism.

Geopolitical context

7

상당수의 생태학자들이 생물 다양성의 급격한 감소를 경고한다.

A significant number of ecologists warn of the rapid decline in biodiversity.

Environmental science

8

상당수의 역사학자들이 그 사건의 배후에 외세의 개입이 있었다고 주장한다.

A significant number of historians claim that there was foreign intervention behind the incident.

Historical analysis

Synonymes

Antonymes

소수 극소수

Collocations courantes

상당수를 차지하다 (To occupy/account for a significant number)
상당수에 달하다 (To reach a significant number)
상당수가 포함되다 (A significant number are included)
상당수가 찬성하다 (A significant number agree)
상당수가 반대하다 (A significant number oppose)
상당수의 피해자 (A significant number of victims)
상당수의 의견 (A significant number of opinions)
상당수의 사례 (A significant number of cases)
상당수의 인원 (A significant number of personnel)
상당수의 비중 (A significant proportion/weight)

Souvent confondu avec

상당수 vs 상당히 (Adverb: Considerably)

상당수 vs 상당량 (Amount: For uncountable things)

상당수 vs 대다수 (Majority: Implies a larger percentage)

Facile à confondre

상당수 vs

상당수 vs

상당수 vs

상당수 vs

상당수 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

formality

Highly recommended for TOPIK II writing tasks.

countable only

Only use for things that can be counted (1, 2, 3...).

Erreurs courantes
  • Using '상당수' for uncountable nouns like 'money' (use 상당액).
  • Confusing '상당수' with '상당히' (adverb).
  • Using '상당수' to mean 'everyone' (it only means a significant number).
  • Forgetting the '의' particle when modifying a noun.
  • Using it in very casual text messages (sounds too stiff).

Astuces

Particle Choice

Always use '의' when placing it before a noun: 상당수의 사례.

Uncountable Alternative

Use '상당량' for things like 'amount of rain' or 'amount of work'.

Professionalism

Use this word in business emails to sound more objective.

Essay Hook

Start an essay with '최근 상당수의 사람들이...' to introduce a trend.

Nuance

If you want to emphasize that a number is surprisingly high, use '상당수'.

News Keywords

Listen for this word in news summaries to catch the scale of an event.

Context Clues

If you see '상당수', look for a following verb like '차지하다' or '달하다'.

Avoid Redundancy

Don't use '많은' and '상당수' together in the same phrase.

Social Issues

It is often used to describe social problems in Korea, like the aging population.

Hanja Link

Connect 'Su' to 'Su-hak' (Math) to remember it refers to numbers.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Contexte culturel

Korean news anchors use this word to maintain 'neutrality' while still conveying the seriousness of a topic.

In Korean universities, using '상당수' in essays is a sign of high-level literacy.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"요즘 상당수의 사람들이 주식 투자에 관심이 많죠?"

"우리 회사 직원 중 상당수가 재택근무를 원할까요?"

"상당수의 한국 영화가 해외에서 인기를 얻고 있는데, 이유가 뭘까요?"

"상당수의 학생들이 카페에서 공부하는 것을 선호하는 것 같아요."

"최근 상당수의 식당들이 키오스크를 도입했더라고요."

Sujets d'écriture

내가 아는 사람들 중 상당수가 공통적으로 가진 특징은 무엇인가?

오늘 뉴스에서 본 '상당수'와 관련된 소식은 무엇이었나?

내가 가진 물건 중 상당수가 어디에서 만들어졌는가?

상당수의 시간을 어디에 쓰고 있는지 반성해 보자.

상당수의 사람들이 오해하고 있는 나의 모습은?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not necessarily. It just means a 'significant' or 'considerable' number. It could be 40%, which is significant but not a majority.

No, water is uncountable. Use '상당량' instead.

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. '많이' is more common with friends.

'다수' is neutral 'many'. '상당수' implies the number is noteworthy or large enough to matter.

상당수의 사람들 or 사람들 중 상당수.

It is a noun.

No, that is redundant. Just say '상당수'.

No, it is neutral. It depends on what you are describing (e.g., significant number of problems vs. significant number of winners).

It is 數, meaning number.

Yes, very frequently in the reading and writing sections of TOPIK II.

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