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B1 adjective 9 min de lecture

물질적

muljiljeok

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 물질적 en 30 secondes

Explication 물질적 in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word '물질적' (mul-jil-jeok) is quite advanced, but you can understand it as a way to talk about 'things' or 'money' instead of 'feelings.' Think of it as 'stuff you can touch.' For example, if you get a toy as a gift, that is a 'material' gift. If your mom says she loves you, that is not 'material.' In very simple Korean, you would just use words like '돈' (money) or '물건' (thing). But if you see '물질적,' just remember it means something about money or objects. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but if you see it in a book, think of a gold coin or a box of supplies.

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For A2 learners, '물질적' starts to appear in basic reading about society or news. It is an adjective that describes something related to physical objects or wealth. You might see it in a sentence like '물질적 도움' which means 'help with things/money.' At this level, you should notice that it often comes before a noun. It's different from '좋은' (good) or '큰' (big) because it describes what *kind* of thing it is—a physical/monetary kind. It's the opposite of '정신적' (mental/spiritual), which is another word you will learn soon. If a friend gives you money to help you, that is '물질적' help. If they listen to your problems, that is '정신적' help.

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At the B1 level, you should begin using '물질적' to express more complex ideas. This word is essential for discussing topics like the economy, lifestyle, and values. You will often use it in the pattern '물질적 + Noun.' For instance, '물질적 보상' (material reward) is a common phrase in workplace discussions. You should also be aware of the adverbial form '물질적으로,' which means 'materially' or 'financially.' For example, '우리는 물질적으로 풍족해요' (We are materially/financially well-off). At this stage, you should be able to distinguish '물질적' from '물리적' (physical/physics-related) to avoid common mistakes in your writing and speaking.

B2 learners should use '물질적' with nuance, understanding its social and philosophical implications. You will encounter it in social critiques regarding '물질적 만능주의' (materialism/money-is-everything attitude). You should be able to use it to compare different types of damage or benefits, such as '물질적 손해' (material damage) versus '정신적 고통' (mental suffering). In debates, '물질적' is a key term for discussing the standard of living ('물질적 생활 수준'). Your usage should move beyond simple 'money' and into the realm of 'tangible resources and assets.' You should also feel comfortable using it in formal essays to describe the physical foundations of a society or an organization.

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At the C1 level, '물질적' is a tool for precise academic and professional communication. You should understand its use in philosophical contexts, such as '물질적 토대' (material foundation) in historical materialism or '물질적 실체' (material entity) in metaphysics. You should also recognize its subtle connotations in literature or high-level journalism, where it might be used to describe the coldness of a consumerist society. At this level, you should be able to switch between '물질적,' '경제적,' '세속적,' and '실질적' based on the exact nuance required. Your ability to use '물질적' correctly in complex sentence structures, including those with multiple modifiers, is expected.

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For C2 learners, '물질적' is a foundational concept used to explore the deepest levels of Korean discourse. You will use it to analyze the intersection of material conditions and cultural production. You should be able to discuss the '물질적 조건' (material conditions) that shape human consciousness or the '물질적 한계' (material limits) of environmental resources. At this level, you can use the word to critique or defend various ideologies. You are expected to have a complete grasp of its Hanja roots and how those roots interact with other words in the '물' (matter) family. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing it with the perfect level of formality and tone in any given context.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

물질적 en 30 secondes

물질적 refers to anything physical, tangible, or related to money and wealth, often contrasted with spiritual or mental concepts.
It is primarily used as an adjective modifying nouns like support, reward, values, or abundance in formal and academic contexts.
Commonly confused with 물리적 (physical laws/force), but 물질적 focuses on the substance of matter or financial assets specifically.
Essential for discussing modern society, consumerism, and economic aid, providing a professional tone to descriptions of wealth and objects.

The Korean word 물질적 (Mul-jil-jeok) is a complex adjective that bridges the gap between the purely physical world and the socio-economic concept of materialism. At its core, it is derived from the Hanja characters 物 (mul - thing/object), 質 (jil - quality/substance), and the suffix 的 (jeok - pertaining to). In English, it most frequently translates to 'material' or 'materialistic,' depending on the context of the sentence. Understanding this word requires looking at how Korean society balances traditional values with rapid modern economic growth.

Economic Context: In discussions regarding wealth, resources, and financial stability, '물질적' refers to tangible assets. For example, '물질적 지원' (material support) usually implies providing money, food, or supplies rather than emotional or moral support.
Philosophical Context: When contrasted with '정신적' (spiritual/mental), '물질적' describes the physical realm. It is often used in social critiques to describe a society that values physical possessions over human connection or ethics.
Scientific Context: In physics or chemistry, it might describe the properties of matter itself, though '물리적' (physical) is more common for the laws of physics.

행복은 물질적 풍요만으로 결정되지 않습니다. (Happiness is not determined by material abundance alone.)

Historically, Korea underwent the 'Miracle on the Han River,' a period of intense industrialization. This shift brought the word '물질적' into the daily lexicon as people debated the trade-offs between '물질적 풍요' (material richness) and '정신적 가치' (spiritual values). Today, you will hear it in news reports about economic aid, in psychology podcasts discussing the roots of happiness, and in academic settings when discussing materialism. It is a neutral word by itself, but it can take on a negative connotation when used to describe '물질적 욕망' (materialistic desire) or '물질적 가치관' (materialistic values) in a critical sense. To use it correctly, remember that it almost always acts as a modifier for a noun, describing the nature of that noun as being rooted in the physical or monetary world.

그들은 재난 피해자들에게 물질적 도움을 주었습니다. (They provided material help to the disaster victims.)

현대 사회의 물질적 만능주의가 걱정됩니다. (I am worried about the material-first [money-is-everything] attitude of modern society.)

In summary, '물질적' is an essential word for B1 learners and above because it allows you to discuss abstract concepts like society, economy, and philosophy. It is not just about 'things,' but about the *nature* of things as physical entities or financial assets. Whether you are describing the benefits of a job or the downsides of consumerism, '물질적' provides the necessary descriptive power to articulate these distinctions clearly.

Using 물질적 effectively requires understanding its role as a determinative adjective (관형사-like usage). While it is technically a noun that functions as an adjective by adding '-적', it almost exclusively appears before a noun to modify it. You rarely see it at the end of a sentence like '이것은 물질적이다' (though possible, it is much more common to say '물질적인 것이다').

Modifying Nouns: The most common pattern is [물질적 + Noun]. Common nouns include 보상 (reward), 지원 (support), 가치 (value), and 풍요 (abundance).
Adverbial Form: To use it as an adverb, you add '-으로'. '물질적으로' (materially/financially) is used to describe how an action is performed or a state is achieved. '물질적으로 풍족하다' (to be materially wealthy).

회사는 직원들에게 물질적 보상을 약속했습니다. (The company promised material rewards to the employees.)

When you use '물질적' in a sentence, you are often making a distinction. If you say you want '도움' (help), it could be anything. If you specify '물질적 도움', you are specifically asking for money, goods, or physical labor. This specificity is key in formal writing and professional contexts. In legal terms, '물질적 손해' (material damage) refers to property damage or financial loss, which is calculated differently from '정신적 손해' (mental distress/pain and suffering).

그 사고로 인해 큰 물질적 손실을 입었습니다. (Because of that accident, we suffered great material loss.)

Another important usage is in the phrase '물질적인 것' (material things). This is often used to refer to physical possessions or consumer goods. For example, '저는 물질적인 것에 욕심이 없어요' (I don't have greed for material things). Here, the '-인' is added to '물질적' to allow it to modify the pronoun '것'. This is a very natural way to express that you aren't focused on wealth or stuff.

우리는 물질적 세계에 살고 있습니다. (We are living in a material world.)

To master this word, practice pairing it with different nouns. Think about your life: What are your '물질적 목표' (material goals)? Do you prefer '물질적 선물' (material gifts) or '경험' (experiences)? By categorizing your vocabulary this way, '물질적' becomes a tool for categorization. It helps you separate the 'what' (the physical) from the 'how' or 'why' (the emotional/spiritual).

You will encounter 물질적 in several specific environments. While it's not a word you'd use to ask for a glass of water, it's ubiquitous in the media and structured discourse.

News and Economy Reports: Journalists use this word to describe economic indicators or the impact of policies. '물질적 생활 수준' (material standard of living) is a common phrase used to compare the quality of life between different eras or countries.
Documentaries and Social Commentary: Shows that critique modern lifestyle often use '물질적' to describe consumerism. You might hear a narrator say, '현대인들은 물질적 풍요 속에서도 빈곤을 느낍니다' (Modern people feel poverty even amidst material abundance).
Legal and Insurance Contexts: When discussing compensation for accidents, lawyers distinguish between '물질적 손해' (damage to property/finances) and other types of harm.

정부는 저소득층에게 물질적 혜택을 확대하기로 했습니다. (The government decided to expand material benefits for the low-income class.)

In academic settings, especially in sociology or philosophy classes, '물질적' is a foundational term. If you are reading a text about Marxism, you will see '유물론' (Materialism), where '물' (matter) is the core. The adjective form '물질적' is used to describe the '물질적 토대' (material foundation) of society. This high-level usage is common in university lectures and textbooks.

그 철학자는 물질적 존재의 본질에 대해 논했습니다. (That philosopher discussed the essence of material existence.)

Finally, in self-help and psychology, '물질적' is used to talk about the '물질적 욕구' (material desires) versus '자아실현' (self-actualization). If you listen to Korean podcasts about mental health, you'll often hear experts advising listeners to look beyond '물질적 성취' (material achievements) to find true peace. This contrast makes the word very useful for expressing complex human emotions and societal pressures.

While 물질적 is a versatile word, English speakers often make specific errors when translating 'material' or 'physical' into Korean. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Confusing with '물리적' (Physical): This is the #1 mistake. '물리적' (Mul-ri-jeok) refers to physics or physical force. If you want to say 'physical strength' or 'physical impact,' use '물리적'. '물질적' is about the *substance* or *money*. You don't use '물질적' for a 'physical fight' (물리적 충돌).
Confusing with '신체적' (Bodily): In English, 'material' can sometimes mean 'of the body' in poetic contexts. In Korean, '신체적' is strictly for the human body. Saying '물질적 건강' sounds like you are talking about the health of a rock or a bank account, not your physical well-being.

X: 그는 물질적 힘이 강해요. (He has strong material power - sounds like he has a lot of stuff.)
O: 그는 물리적 힘이 강해요. (He has strong physical/physics-defying power.)

Another mistake is using '물질적' as a stand-alone noun without the particle '-인' or '-으로' when it's needed for grammatical flow. While '물질적 지원' is fine, saying '그는 너무 물질적이다' (He is too material) is grammatically correct but slightly awkward in conversation compared to '그는 너무 물질적 가치를 따진다' (He cares too much about material values) or '그는 너무 세속적이다' (He is too worldly/secular).

X: 물질적으로 행복해요. (I am materially happy - sounds weirdly technical.)
O: 경제적으로 여유로워요. (I am economically comfortable.)

Finally, avoid using '물질적' when you mean 'important' (as in 'a material witness' in English law). In Korean, '중요한' (important) or '핵심적인' (core/key) are the correct choices. '물질적' never means 'significant' in terms of importance; it only ever means 'related to matter/wealth'.

To truly understand 물질적, you must see how it compares to its 'neighbors' in the Korean language. Depending on the nuance you want, one of these might be a better fit.

물리적 (Mul-ri-jeok) vs. 물질적: '물리적' relates to the laws of physics or physical force. '물질적' relates to the substance of matter or wealth. Use '물리적' for distance, force, and body. Use '물질적' for resources and money.
경제적 (Gyeong-je-jeok) vs. 물질적: '경제적' means 'economic' or 'efficient.' If you are talking about a bank account or a country's budget, '경제적' is more common. '물질적' is broader, covering both money and physical objects.
세속적 (Se-sok-jeok) vs. 물질적: '세속적' means 'worldly' or 'secular.' If you want to criticize someone for caring too much about fame and money, '세속적' carries a stronger judgmental tone than the more objective '물질적'.

그는 물질적 욕심보다 정신적 평화를 선택했습니다. (He chose spiritual peace over material greed.)

When should you choose '물질적'? Choose it when you are specifically making a point about the *tangibility* of something or its existence in the physical realm as opposed to the abstract. If you are writing a formal report about the benefits of a new policy, '물질적 혜택' (material benefits) sounds professional. If you are writing a poem about the soul, you might use '물질적 세계' (material world) to describe the cage of the physical body.

In summary, while '물질적' is often translated as 'material,' its usage in Korean is deeply tied to the contrast with the 'spiritual' (정신적). By learning these synonyms and their specific boundaries, you can avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Korean where your sentences are technically correct but sound slightly off to a native ear.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The suffix '-적' (-jeok) was not widely used as an adjective marker in ancient Korean. Its heavy use today is a result of modern translations from Western languages (like 'material-istic' or 'social-istic') during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Guide de prononciation

UK /mul.t͡ɕil.t͡ɕʌk̚/

US /mul.t͡ɕil.t͡ɕʌk̚/

Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis on 'mul' is common.

Rime avec

공격 (Gong-gyeok) 직접 (Jik-jeop - near rhyme) 사회적 (Sa-hoe-jeok) 심리적 (Sim-ri-jeok) 정치적 (Jeong-chi-jeok) 경제적 (Gyeong-je-jeok) 현실적 (Hyeon-sil-jeok) 물리적 (Mul-ri-jeok)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'jil' like 'zill' (Korean has no 'z' sound).
Forgetting the unreleased 'k' at the end of 'jeok', making it sound like 'jeo'.
Pronouncing 'mul' like the English word 'mull' (it should be 'moo-l').

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize because of the common '-적' suffix and Hanja roots.

Écriture 4/5

Requires understanding of where to place it and how to contrast it with '정신적'.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but it sounds very formal for casual talk.

Écoute 3/5

Common in news and documentaries, easy to pick out.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

물건 (Thing) 돈 (Money) 사람 (Person) 도움 (Help) 중요하다 (To be important)

Apprends ensuite

정신적 (Spiritual/Mental) 물리적 (Physical/Physics) 경제적 (Economic) 사회적 (Social) 현실적 (Realistic)

Avancé

유물론 (Materialism - Philosophy) 형이상학 (Metaphysics) 자본주의 (Capitalism) 소외 (Alienation) 가치관 (Values/Worldview)

Grammaire à connaître

The '-적' Suffix

경제 (Economy) -> 경제적 (Economic), 사회 (Society) -> 사회적 (Social).

Converting '-적' to Adverbs with '-으로'

물질적 (Material) -> 물질적으로 (Materially).

Modifying Nouns with '-인'

물질적 + 인 + 것 (Material thing).

Contrastive Particle '는/은'

물질적 가치는 높지만 정신적 가치는 낮다.

Honorifics with Formal Adjectives

물질적 지원을 해 주셨습니다 (He/She kindly provided material support).

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Exemples par niveau

물질적 선물보다 마음이 중요해요.

Heart (sincerity) is more important than material gifts.

물질적 + Noun (선물)

그는 물질적으로 부자예요.

He is materially rich.

물질적으로 (adverb) + Adjective (부자)

우리는 물질적 도움이 필요해요.

We need material help.

물질적 + Noun (도움)

이것은 물질적인 것입니다.

This is a material thing.

물질적인 (adjective form) + 것 (thing)

물질적 가치를 생각해요.

Think about material values.

Object marker '를' follows the noun phrase.

물질적 풍요를 원해요.

I want material abundance.

물질적 + Noun (풍요)

돈은 물질적인 보상이에요.

Money is a material reward.

물질적인 + Noun (보상)

물질적 세계는 넓어요.

The material world is wide.

Subject marker '는' for the topic.

물질적 지원을 아끼지 않겠습니다.

I will not spare material support.

아끼지 않다 (to not spare/save)

정신적 평화가 물질적 성공보다 중요해요.

Mental peace is more important than material success.

Comparison using ~보다.

그 사고로 물질적 손해를 봤어요.

I suffered material damage from that accident.

손해를 보다 (to suffer loss)

물질적 욕심을 버려야 해요.

You must throw away material greed.

~어/아야 하다 (must do)

우리 사회는 물질적 풍요를 누리고 있어요.

Our society is enjoying material abundance.

누리고 있다 (is enjoying)

물질적 혜택이 많아졌어요.

Material benefits have increased.

아/어지다 (to become)

그는 물질적 가치관이 뚜렷해요.

He has clear material values.

뚜렷하다 (to be clear/distinct)

물질적으로 풍족한 삶을 살고 싶어요.

I want to live a materially abundant life.

풍족한 (abundant) modifying 삶 (life)

물질적 보상이 동기 부여에 도움이 될까요?

Does material reward help with motivation?

동기 부여 (motivation)

자원봉사는 물질적 대가 없이 하는 일이에요.

Volunteering is work done without material compensation.

없이 (without)

물질적 풍요가 반드시 행복을 보장하지는 않아요.

Material abundance does not necessarily guarantee happiness.

반드시 ~하는 것은 아니다 (not necessarily)

정부는 피해자들에게 물질적 보상을 약속했습니다.

The government promised material compensation to the victims.

약속하다 (to promise)

현대인들은 물질적 가치를 너무 중시하는 경향이 있어요.

Modern people tend to value material values too much.

~하는 경향이 있다 (tend to)

물질적으로는 힘들었지만 마음은 따뜻했습니다.

It was materially difficult, but our hearts were warm.

~지만 (but) contrast.

이 책은 물질적 세계의 기원을 다루고 있습니다.

This book deals with the origins of the material world.

다루고 있다 (is dealing with/covering)

물질적 기반이 튼튼해야 꿈을 이룰 수 있어요.

You can achieve your dreams only when the material foundation is strong.

~어야 (only if/when)

물질적 만능주의는 인간성을 파괴할 수 있습니다.

Materialism can destroy humanity.

만능주의 (all-powerful ideology/materialism)

그 기업은 물질적 이익만을 추구하지 않습니다.

That company does not only pursue material profit.

추구하다 (to pursue)

물질적 증거가 부족해서 범인을 잡지 못했어요.

We couldn't catch the criminal because of a lack of material evidence.

증거 (evidence)

물질적으로 풍요로운 사회일수록 정신적 빈곤이 심해질 수 있습니다.

The more materially abundant a society is, the worse mental poverty can become.

~을수록 (the more... the more)

그의 성공은 물질적 성취에만 국한되지 않습니다.

His success is not limited to material achievements.

국한되다 (to be limited/confined)

물질적 결핍은 아이들의 성장에 부정적인 영향을 미칩니다.

Material deprivation has a negative impact on children's growth.

영향을 미치다 (to have an effect/influence)

우리는 물질적 가치와 정신적 가치의 균형을 맞춰야 합니다.

We must balance material values and spiritual values.

균형을 맞추다 (to balance)

물질적 조건이 개선되면서 생활 양식도 변했습니다.

As material conditions improved, lifestyles also changed.

~면서 (while/as)

마르크스는 역사의 동력을 물질적 토대에서 찾았습니다.

Marx found the driving force of history in the material foundation.

동력 (driving force/power)

물질적 실재론은 외부 세계의 독립적인 존재를 긍정합니다.

Material realism affirms the independent existence of the external world.

실재론 (realism)

기술의 발전은 인간에게 전례 없는 물질적 편의를 제공했습니다.

The development of technology provided humans with unprecedented material convenience.

전례 없는 (unprecedented)

물질적 욕망의 끝없는 추구는 환경 파괴의 주범입니다.

The endless pursuit of material desire is the main culprit of environmental destruction.

주범 (main culprit)

그 논문은 자본주의의 물질적 모순을 날카롭게 비판했습니다.

The thesis sharply criticized the material contradictions of capitalism.

모순 (contradiction)

인간의 의식은 물질적 환경에 의해 규정되는가?

Is human consciousness defined by the material environment?

규정되다 (to be defined/stipulated)

물질적 풍요 속의 빈곤이라는 역설적 상황에 직면해 있습니다.

We are facing a paradoxical situation of poverty amidst material abundance.

역설적 (paradoxical)

예술은 물질적 형태를 통해 정신적 가치를 구현합니다.

Art embodies spiritual values through material forms.

구현하다 (to embody/realize)

존재의 물질적 층위와 비물질적 층위의 상관관계를 고찰해야 합니다.

We must examine the correlation between the material and non-material layers of existence.

상관관계 (correlation)

물질적 토대의 붕괴는 필연적으로 상부 구조의 변혁을 초래합니다.

The collapse of the material foundation inevitably brings about a transformation of the superstructure.

초래하다 (to bring about/cause)

그 작가는 물질적 오브제를 통해 인간의 소외를 형상화했습니다.

The artist gave shape to human alienation through material objects.

형상화하다 (to shape/embody)

신자유주의 체제 하에서 물질적 가치는 모든 가치의 척도가 되었습니다.

Under the neoliberal system, material value has become the measure of all values.

척도 (measure/standard)

물질적 가변성과 불변성에 관한 논쟁은 형이상학의 핵심 과제입니다.

The debate over material variability and immutability is a core task of metaphysics.

가변성 (variability)

물질적 욕망의 과잉은 필연적으로 실존적 허무로 귀결됩니다.

An excess of material desire inevitably results in existential emptiness.

귀결되다 (to result in/end in)

과학 기술의 물질적 환원주의는 생명의 신비를 간과할 위험이 있습니다.

The material reductionism of science and technology risks overlooking the mystery of life.

환원주의 (reductionism)

물질적 자원의 유한성은 인류에게 새로운 생존 전략을 요구합니다.

The finiteness of material resources demands a new survival strategy for humanity.

유한성 (finiteness)

Synonymes

유형의 경제적 외적인 가시적인

Antonymes

정신적 추상적

Collocations courantes

물질적 보상

물질적 지원

물질적 풍요

물질적 손해

물질적 가치

물질적 증거

물질적 욕구

물질적 기반

물질적 세계

물질적 혜택

Phrases Courantes

물질적으로 풍족하다

— To be well-off or wealthy in terms of possessions and money.

그는 물질적으로 풍족하지만 행복하지 않다.

물질적 만능주의

— The belief that money and material possessions are the most important things in life.

물질적 만능주의가 사회 문제를 일으킨다.

물질적 대가

— Compensation or payment in the form of money or goods.

아무런 물질적 대가 없이 도와주었다.

물질적 토대

— The physical or economic foundation of something.

가정의 물질적 토대가 무너졌다.

물질적 유혹

— The temptation of money or luxury goods.

그는 물질적 유혹을 뿌리치고 정직하게 살았다.

물질적 성취

— Success in terms of wealth or physical acquisitions.

물질적 성취가 인생의 전부는 아니다.

물질적 피해

— Damage to property or financial loss.

태풍으로 인해 큰 물질적 피해가 발생했다.

물질적 결핍

— A lack of physical resources or money.

어린 시절의 물질적 결핍이 그를 강하게 만들었다.

물질적 수단

— Physical means or resources used to achieve a goal.

목표를 이루기 위해 물질적 수단이 필요하다.

물질적 만족

— Satisfaction derived from physical possessions or wealth.

물질적 만족은 오래가지 않는다.

Souvent confondu avec

물질적 vs 물리적

Relates to physics or physical force. Use '물리적' for a physical impact, '물질적' for money or objects.

물질적 vs 실질적

Means 'practical' or 'actual.' While '물질적' help is always tangible, '실질적' help could be a good advice that actually works.

물질적 vs 신체적

Relates only to the human body. '물질적' never refers to your own body parts or health.

Expressions idiomatiques

"물질적 풍요 속의 빈곤"

— Feeling spiritually or emotionally empty despite having a lot of money and possessions.

많은 현대인들이 물질적 풍요 속의 빈곤을 겪고 있다.

Social Critique

"황금만능주의 (linked to 물질적)"

— The 'gold-is-everything' ideology; the extreme form of materialism.

물질적 가치만 따지는 황금만능주의가 만연하다.

Common/Critical

"정신이 물질을 지배한다"

— Mind over matter; the idea that will is stronger than physical conditions.

물질적 한계를 극복하기 위해 정신이 물질을 지배해야 한다.

Inspirational

"물질에 눈이 멀다"

— To be blinded by material greed.

그는 물질에 눈이 멀어 친구를 배신했다.

Informal/Critical

"빈 수레가 요란하다 (related to material show)"

— Empty carts make the most noise; people with less material substance often boast the most.

물질적 실속도 없으면서 자랑만 하니 빈 수레가 요란한 격이다.

Proverb

"돈이면 다 된다"

— Money solves everything (the core of 물질적 만능주의).

물질적 가치만 믿는 사람들은 돈이면 다 된다고 생각한다.

Slang/Common

"내면보다 외면 (related to material appearance)"

— Focusing on the outside (material) rather than the inside (spirit).

물질적 겉모습만 중시하는 사회 분위기가 아쉽다.

Neutral

"배부른 돼지보다 배고픈 소크라테스"

— Better to be a hungry Socrates than a satisfied pig (valuing spirit over material).

그는 물질적 편안함보다 진리를 쫓는 삶을 택했다.

Academic/Literary

"물 쓰듯 하다"

— To spend money (material) like water.

그는 물질적 자원을 물 쓰듯 낭비했다.

Informal

"개같이 벌어서 정승같이 쓴다"

— Work like a dog to earn (material) and spend like a nobleman (virtue).

물질적 부를 정당하게 사용하라는 뜻이다.

Proverb

Facile à confondre

물질적 vs 물리적 (Physical)

Both translate to 'physical' in English.

물리적 is about forces, distance, and physical laws. 물질적 is about matter and wealth.

물리적 거리 (Physical distance) vs. 물질적 지원 (Material support).

물질적 vs 경제적 (Economic)

Both involve money.

경제적 is specifically about the system of money/efficiency. 물질적 includes physical objects and assets.

경제적 위기 (Economic crisis) vs. 물질적 욕구 (Material desire).

물질적 vs 현실적 (Realistic)

Tangible things are 'real.'

현실적 is about feasibility and practical thinking. 물질적 is about the substance itself.

현실적 계획 (Realistic plan) vs. 물질적 보상 (Material reward).

물질적 vs 세속적 (Secular/Worldly)

Both can describe a focus on money.

세속적 has a stronger moral judgment (caring about fame/money too much). 물질적 is more descriptive.

세속적인 삶 (A worldly life) vs. 물질적 풍요 (Material abundance).

물질적 vs 구체적 (Concrete/Specific)

Concrete things are material.

구체적 is about the detail and clarity of an idea. 물질적 is about the physical nature.

구체적 예시 (Concrete example) vs. 물질적 증거 (Material evidence).

Structures de phrases

물질적 + [Noun] + 이/가 중요해요.

물질적 보상이 중요해요.

물질적 + [Noun] + 보다 [Noun] + 이/가 더 [Adj].

물질적 풍요보다 마음의 평화가 더 중요해요.

물질적으로 + [Adj].

우리는 물질적으로 아주 풍족해요.

물질적 + [Noun] + 을/를 추구하다.

그는 물질적 이익을 추구해요.

물질적 + [Noun] + 에 국한되다.

문제는 물질적 손해에만 국한되지 않아요.

물질적 + [Noun] + 에 의해 규정되다.

삶은 물질적 환경에 의해 규정되기도 합니다.

물질적 + [Noun] + 을/를 기반으로 하다.

이 이론은 물질적 토대를 기반으로 합니다.

물질적 + [Noun] + 의 가변성.

물질적 세계의 가변성을 이해해야 합니다.

Famille de mots

Noms

물질 (Matter/Substance)

물질주의 (Materialism)

만능주의 (All-powerful-ism/Materialism)

물체 (Object/Body)

Verbes

물질화하다 (To materialize/make physical)

Adjectifs

물질적 (Material)

물리적 (Physical)

물질적인 (Material-as-adjective)

Apparenté

물건 (Thing)

재산 (Property/Wealth)

돈 (Money)

자원 (Resource)

실체 (Entity/Substance)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in media, academic writing, and formal discussions; moderate in daily speech.

Erreurs courantes

Using '물질적' for 'physical education' (PE). → 체육 (Che-yuk)
PE is about the body (신체), not the substance of matter or money.
Saying '물질적 거리' for physical distance. → 물리적 거리
Distance is a concept of physics, so '물리적' is the correct adjective.
Using '물질적' to mean 'significant' (material evidence in English sense). → 중요한 증거 / 결정적인 증거
In Korean, '물질적 증거' only means 'physical evidence' (like a weapon), not 'important evidence'.
Confusing '물질적' with '실질적' for practical help. → 실질적인 도움
'물질적' help is only money/things. '실질적' help is 'effective' help, which could be advice.
Saying '물질적 사람' to mean a 'physical person'. → 실존 인물 (Real person) or 육체 (Body)
'물질적 사람' sounds like you are describing a person made of a specific material, like a 'plastic man'.

Astuces

Pair with '정신적'

To sound like a native speaker, always think of '물질적' and '정신적' as a pair. If you discuss one, mentioning the other adds depth to your argument.

Suffix Power

Remember that '-적' turns a noun into an adjective. It's like adding '-al' or '-ic' in English. This works for hundreds of Korean words.

Don't confuse with Physical

If you are talking about sports or a fight, use '물리적' or '신체적'. '물질적' is for assets and matter.

Be Careful with People

Calling a person '물질적' is a serious critique of their character. Use it sparingly in social situations.

Great for Essays

Use '물질적' instead of '돈' in your TOPIK essays to get a higher score for vocabulary level.

News Keywords

When you hear '물질적 손해' on the news, it usually means property damage after a storm or fire.

Neutrality

In academic writing, '물질적' is 100% neutral. It simply means 'related to the physical world.' Don't assume it's negative unless the context says so.

Adverbial Form

Use '물질적으로' to specify that you are talking about finances. '물질적으로 어렵다' is a polite way to say 'I'm broke.'

Matter & Money

Link 'M' for 물질적 with 'M' for Matter and Money. It covers both bases!

Hanja Clues

Whenever you see '물' (物) at the start of a word, think 'physical thing.' It will help you guess the meaning of new words.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Mul' as 'Molecule' (matter) and 'Jil' as 'Jewel' (expensive thing). So, 'Mul-jil' is molecules and jewels—material stuff!

Association visuelle

Imagine a scale. On one side is a stack of gold coins (물질적) and on the other side is a glowing brain (정신적).

Word Web

물질 (Matter) 물리 (Physics) 물건 (Object) 물가 (Prices) 물주 (Financier) 물욕 (Greed for things) 물색 (Looking for/Color of things) 물량 (Quantity of goods)

Défi

Try to describe your room using the word '물질적'. What are the '물질적' things that are most important to you? Write three sentences.

Origine du mot

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots: 物 (mul) meaning 'thing' or 'matter', 質 (jil) meaning 'quality', 'nature', or 'substance', and 的 (jeok) which is a suffix meaning 'pertaining to' or 'relating to.'

Sens originel : The original meaning in Classical Chinese referred to the essential nature or substance of physical objects.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when calling someone '물질적'. It can imply they are shallow or only care about money, which can be offensive.

In English, 'materialistic' often has a purely negative connotation (greed). In Korean, '물질적' is more neutral and is used objectively in science and law as well as in social critique.

Karl Marx's 'Dialectical Materialism' (변증법적 유물론) is a key academic context for this word in Korea. The song 'Material Girl' by Madonna would be translated using '물질적인 소녀'. K-drama 'Secret Garden' often contrasts material wealth with soul-swapping spiritualism.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Job Interviews/Work

물질적 보상 체계
물질적 동기 부여
물질적 성과
물질적 대우

Charity/Social Work

물질적 후원
물질적 봉사
물질적 나눔
물질적 기부

Legal Disputes

물질적 배상
물질적 증거물
물질적 손실액
물질적 권리

Philosophical Debates

물질적 세계관
물질적 실체
물질적 한계
물질적 욕망의 절제

Relationship Advice

물질적 조건보다 성격
물질적인 선물
물질적으로 기댈 곳
물질적 갈등

Amorces de conversation

"요즘 사람들은 너무 물질적 가치만 중요하게 생각하는 것 같아요. 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"물질적 풍요와 정신적 행복 중 어느 것이 더 중요하다고 보세요?"

"직장을 선택할 때 물질적 보상이 가장 큰 기준인가요?"

"아이들에게 물질적 선물 대신 어떤 경험을 선물하고 싶으세요?"

"우리 사회에서 물질적 만능주의를 해결할 방법이 있을까요?"

Sujets d'écriture

당신에게 가장 소중한 물질적 물건은 무엇이며, 그 이유는 무엇입니까?

물질적으로 풍족했던 순간과 정신적으로 풍족했던 순간을 비교해 보세요.

만약 모든 물질적 소유를 잃게 된다면, 당신에게 무엇이 남을까요?

오늘 하루 동안 느낀 물질적 욕구에 대해 정직하게 기록해 보세요.

물질적 성공이 당신의 인생 목표에서 차지하는 비중은 어느 정도입니까?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is a neutral word. While it can be used to criticize greed ('물질적 욕심'), it is also used positively or neutrally in terms like '물질적 지원' (material support/charity) or '물질적 토대' (material foundation). Context determines the tone.

No. Use '신체적' (bodily) or '육체적' (physical/fleshly). '물질적' would make the person sound like they are made of inanimate matter like stone or plastic.

'물질적' is often used directly before a noun (물질적 보상). '물질적인' is the adjective form used when you need the '~ㄴ' ending, often before '것' (물질적인 것) or in more descriptive contexts.

Yes. It describes the properties of matter. For example, '물질적 특성' (material characteristics) refers to how a substance behaves physically.

You can say '그는 물질적이에요' or '그는 물질적인 가치를 너무 따져요.' A common alternative is '그는 세속적이에요' or '그는 돈을 너무 밝혀요' (He is too obsessed with money).

Occasionally, especially in songs that critique society or talk about 'fake' people who only want money. However, '돈' (money) is much more common in lyrics.

Yes, as a category. Giving someone food is a form of '물질적 지원' (material support), but you wouldn't call a delicious meal '물질적 음식'.

In law, '정신적' (mental/moral) or '비금전적' (non-monetary) are often used as opposites, depending on the type of damage being discussed.

Yes, it is composed of 物質的 (물질적). Knowing the Hanja help you understand related words like '생물' (living thing/biology) or '물건' (thing).

Use it as an adverb to describe *how* someone is doing or how a goal was met. '물질적으로 도와주다' (to help materially/financially).

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