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A2 noun #7,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

교장

Top 7,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 교장 en 30 secondes

Explication 교장 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '교장' means 'principal'. It is a person who works at a school (학교). You will mostly see this word when learning about different jobs (직업) or people at school. You should remember to say '교장 선생님' (Gyojang seonsaengnim) to be polite. For example, 'Our principal is kind' would be '우리 교장 선생님은 친절해요'. You don't need to worry about the complex administrative duties of a principal yet; just think of them as the 'boss of the school'.

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At the A2 level, you can start using '교장' in simple sentences about school life. You should know that '교장실' (gyojang-sil) is the principal's office. You might use this word when talking about school events, like graduation or a speech. You should also start noticing the honorifics used with this word. For example, instead of '교장이 말해요', you should say '교장 선생님께서 말씀하세요'. You should also be able to distinguish between a teacher (교사/선생님) and a principal (교장).

At the B1 level, you should understand the role of the '교장' in the context of the school hierarchy. You can describe their responsibilities, such as school management (학교 운영) and leading the teachers. You should be comfortable using the word in various verb forms like '교장으로 부임하다' (to be appointed as principal) or '교장직을 맡다' (to take the position of principal). You should also understand common school-related announcements that mention the principal and be able to write simple letters or emails addressed to them using appropriate formal language.

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At the B2 level, you can discuss the '교장' in the context of educational policy and social issues. You might talk about '공모 교장제' (the open recruitment system for principals) or the challenges principals face in modern education. You should understand the nuances of the word in news articles and formal reports. You can also compare the '교장' to other leadership roles like '원장' (director) or '총장' (university president) and explain why a specific term is used in a specific context. Your use of honorifics should be natural and consistent.

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At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural weight of the '교장' position in Korea. You can discuss the evolution of the role from traditional '훈장' to modern '교장'. You should be able to analyze literature or films where the principal serves as a symbol of authority or institutional tradition. You will also encounter the word in legal or academic texts regarding the '초중등교육법' (Elementary and Secondary Education Act), which defines the legal powers and duties of a principal. You can use specialized terms like '교장 임용' (appointment of principal) or '교장 중임' (reappointment of principal) correctly.

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At the C2 level, you can engage in high-level debates about the autonomy of principals (교장의 자율성) and their influence on the national curriculum. You understand the subtle political and social implications of being a principal in different types of schools (public vs. private, prestigious vs. rural). You can interpret complex metaphors involving the '교장' in high-level literature and use the term with absolute precision in any professional, academic, or legal setting. You are also aware of the regional variations or historical shifts in how the title has been perceived in both North and South Korean contexts.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

교장 en 30 secondes

Means 'Principal' or 'Head Teacher' of a school.
Used for elementary, middle, and high schools (K-12).
Always use the honorific '선생님' (교장 선생님) in speech.
Derived from Hanja: 校 (School) + 長 (Head).

The Korean word 교장 (校長) is a noun that refers to the head of a school, most commonly translated as 'principal' in American English or 'head teacher' in British English. In the hierarchy of the Korean educational system, the 교장 is the highest-ranking official within an individual school building, responsible for administrative decisions, school policy, and the overall welfare of both students and staff. This term is primarily used for elementary, middle, and high schools. For higher education institutions like universities, a different term, '총장' (chongjang), is used instead.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 校 (학교 교), meaning 'school', and 長 (어른 장), meaning 'head', 'leader', or 'elder'. Together, they literally mean 'the head of the school'.

In South Korea, the position of 교장 is one of significant social prestige and authority. Most principals are seasoned educators who have served as teachers and vice-principals (교감) for many decades before reaching this rank. Consequently, they are viewed as elders in the community. When addressing or referring to a principal, it is culturally mandatory to attach the honorific suffix -선생님 (seonsaengnim), making the full title 교장 선생님. Using just '교장' when speaking to or about them in a professional or polite context can sound blunt or even disrespectful.

내일 아침 조회 시간에 교장 선생님께서 훈화 말씀을 하실 예정이다. (The principal is scheduled to give a moral speech during the morning assembly tomorrow.)

The word appears in various contexts including official school documents, news reports regarding education policy, and daily conversations between parents and teachers. Because the principal represents the school's legal and administrative face, you will see '교장' followed by their name and seal on graduation certificates, awards, and official notices sent home to parents. In media, particularly 'school' genre K-dramas, the 교장 character often serves as either a wise mentor or a strict antagonist representing the rigid educational system.

Administrative Scope: A 교장 manages the school budget, oversees teacher evaluations, and interacts with the local Office of Education. Unlike teachers who focus on specific subjects, the principal focuses on the 'big picture' of the school's operation.

우리 학교 교장님은 학생들의 이름을 모두 외우려고 노력하신다. (Our school principal tries to memorize all the students' names.)

Furthermore, the word is used in compound nouns such as '교장실' (gyojang-sil), meaning the principal's office. Being 'called to the principal's office' (교장실에 불려가다) carries a similar weight of anxiety for Korean students as it does for students in English-speaking countries, often implying a serious disciplinary matter or a very high-level recognition.

Synonym Contrast: While '교장' is for K-12, '원장' (wonjang) is used for the head of a kindergarten (유치원) or a private academy (학원). Using '교장' for a private academy director would be technically incorrect.

새로 부임하신 교장 선생님은 교육 혁신에 관심이 많으시다. (The newly appointed principal is very interested in educational innovation.)

Using 교장 correctly requires understanding both the grammar of the word and the social hierarchy it represents. In most sentences, you will treat '교장' as the base noun, but you must apply honorifics if the subject is a principal you are showing respect to. This involves using the subject marker '-께서' instead of '-이/가' and the honorific verb endings like '-(으)십니다' or '-세요'.

교장 선생님께서 지금 회의 중이십니다. (The principal is in a meeting right now.)

In this example, '께서' and '-(이)십니다' are used because the principal is the subject of the sentence. If you are talking about a principal in a general or abstract sense (e.g., 'The role of a principal is difficult'), you might use the standard markers, but in 90% of real-life interactions, honorifics are the standard. When referring to someone else's school principal, it is always safer to use the full title 교장 선생님.

Common Verb Pairings

부임하다 (bu-im-ha-da): To be appointed/take up a post.
퇴임하다 (toe-im-ha-da): To retire from the position.
면담하다 (myeon-dam-ha-da): To have an interview/meeting.

When '교장' is used as a modifier, it often attaches directly to other nouns to create compound words. For example, 교장실 (principal's office), 교장직 (the position of principal), and 교장단 (the group/board of principals). In these cases, the word functions as a descriptor of the office or the role itself.

졸업식에서 교장 선생님으로부터 상장을 받았다. (I received a certificate from the principal at the graduation ceremony.)

In formal writing, such as a news article, you might see the word used more objectively. For instance, '교장은 학교의 운영을 책임진다' (The principal is responsible for the operation of the school). Here, the lack of honorifics is acceptable because it is a general statement of fact rather than a direct reference to a specific respected person.

Sentence Patterns: [Person] + 은/는 + [School Name] + 교장이다. (Person is the principal of School Name.)
[Person] + 께서 + 교장으로 + 취임하셨다. (Person was inaugurated as the principal.)

어머니는 초등학교 교장으로 은퇴하셨다. (My mother retired as an elementary school principal.)

You will hear 교장 primarily within the educational ecosystem of South Korea. If you are a student, a parent, or a teacher, this word will be part of your weekly vocabulary. The most iconic setting to hear this word is during the 'morning assembly' (조회), where students line up in the playground or gym. The announcer will say, "교장 선생님의 말씀이 있겠습니다" (There will now be a speech from the principal), followed by the students bowing in unison.

Common Scenarios

Graduation Ceremonies (졸업식): The principal gives the final address and hands out diplomas.
School Announcements: "교장 선생님께서 전달하실 말씀이 있습니다." (The principal has a message to deliver.)
Parent-Teacher Meetings: Parents often discuss school-wide issues with the principal.

In South Korean media, particularly the 'School' series (like School 2013, 2017) or dramas like 'Sky Castle' and 'The Glory', the 교장 is a pivotal character. They often represent the institutional power of the school. In many dramas, you might hear a teacher nervously saying, "교장 선생님이 부르셔" (The principal is calling for you), which usually signals a major plot development or a disciplinary crisis.

드라마에서 교장 선생님은 보통 매우 엄격하게 묘사된다. (In dramas, the principal is usually depicted as being very strict.)

You will also hear this word in the news. When there are national changes to the CSAT (Suneung) or school safety policies, the media often interviews a representative from the 'National Association of High School Principals' (전국 고등학교 교장 협의회). In these formal broadcasts, the word '교장' is used as a professional title. Similarly, in local community news, a principal might be featured for their school's unique achievements, such as winning a sports competition or implementing a new technology program.

News Vocabulary: Words like 공모 교장 (a principal selected through an open recruitment process) or 평교사 출신 교장 (a principal who was previously a regular teacher, emphasizing a non-bureaucratic background) are common in educational reform discussions.

오늘 뉴스에 우리 학교 교장 선생님이 나오셨어! (Our school principal appeared on the news today!)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 교장 is forgetting the social hierarchy involved in the Korean language. In English, you can say 'The principal said...' or 'I saw the principal' without sounding rude. However, in Korean, using '교장' alone in speech is often considered impolite unless you are in a very specific academic or legal setting.

Mistake 1: Omitting Honorifics: Incorrect: 교장이 왔다 (The principal came).
Correct: 교장 선생님께서 오셨다. Even if you are not a student, using '-님' or '-선생님' is the standard for showing respect to someone in that position.

Another common confusion arises with the word 교감 (gyogam). A '교감' is the Vice Principal. In English, the words sound distinct, but in Korean, '교장' and '교감' only differ by one syllable. Mixing them up can lead to awkward situations, especially during formal introductions. Remember: 장 (jang) means 'head/chief', and 감 (gam) in this context refers to oversight or assistance.

실수로 교장 선생님을 '교감 선생님'이라고 불렀다. (I accidentally called the principal 'Vice Principal'.)

A third mistake is using '교장' for any educational leader. As mentioned previously, '교장' is specific to primary and secondary schools. If you are talking about the head of a university, you must use 총장 (chongjang). If you are talking about the head of a private 'hagwon' (academy), you must use 원장 (wonjang). Using '교장' for a university president would sound like you are treating a university as if it were a high school, which can be seen as diminishing its status.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Institution Type: Using 교장 for a university president.
Correct term: 총장 (President/Chancellor).
Using 교장 for a kindergarten director.
Correct term: 원장 (Director).

대학교에는 교장이 아니라 총장이 계신다. (Universities have a president, not a principal.)

To truly master the word 교장, it is helpful to compare it with other titles used for leaders in various Korean institutions. While they all might translate to 'head' or 'director' in English, their specific Korean usage is strictly tied to the type of organization.

Comparison Table

교장 (Gyojang): Specific to schools (Elementary, Middle, High). Focuses on pedagogy and school administration.
교감 (Gyogam): Vice-principal. Handles more of the day-to-day internal management and teacher scheduling.
총장 (Chongjang): University President. A much higher rank, often involved in national education policy and fundraising.
원장 (Wonjang): Director of a 'won' (institution). Used for kindergartens (유치원), academies (학원), and even hospitals (병원장).
이사장 (Isajang): Chairman of the Board. This person is the head of the legal entity that owns the school, often higher than the principal in private schools.

In some contexts, you might see the word 교주 (gyoju). However, be very careful! While 'gyo' means teaching, 'gyoju' almost exclusively refers to the leader of a religious sect or a cult. Confusing '교장' (principal) with '교주' (cult leader) would be a disastrous linguistic error.

사립 학교에서는 교장보다 이사장의 권한이 더 클 수도 있다. (In private schools, the Chairman of the Board may have more authority than the principal.)

When discussing the role of a principal in an academic or philosophical sense, the term 교육자 (gyoyukja - educator) is often used to describe them. A '교장' is a job title, but being a '훌륭한 교육자' (a great educator) is the character trait that many principals strive for. In historical contexts, you might also encounter the term 훈장 (hunjang), which refers to the teacher/head of a traditional village school (Seodang) in old Korea. While no longer used for modern schools, it remains a common term in historical dramas and literature.

그는 교장이기 이전에 참된 교육자였다. (Before being a principal, he was a true educator.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In the Joseon Dynasty, the head of a traditional village school was called a '훈장' (hunjang), not a '교장'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɡjodʑaŋ/

US /ɡjoʊdʒæŋ/

Stress is evenly distributed on both syllables.

Rime avec

공장 (gongjang - factory) 시장 (sijang - market) 도장 (dojang - seal) 농장 (nongjang - farm) 광장 (gwangjang - square) 등장 (deungjang - appearance) 극장 (geukjang - theater) 현장 (hyeonjang - site)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'gyo' as 'gee-oh' (two syllables) instead of one.
Making the 'j' in 'jang' too sharp like 'ch'.
Forgetting the nasal 'ng' sound at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 3/5

Need to remember the Hanja-based spelling.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires practice with honorifics.

Écoute 2/5

Distinct sound, easy to hear in school contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

학교 (School) 선생님 (Teacher) 학생 (Student) 방 (Room)

Apprends ensuite

교감 (Vice-principal) 교무실 (Teachers' office) 행정실 (Administrative office) 조회 (Assembly)

Avancé

교육청 (Office of Education) 인사권 (Personnel rights) 장학사 (School inspector)

Grammaire à connaître

Honorific Suffix -님

교장 + 님 = 교장님

Subject Marker -께서

교장 선생님께서 말씀하신다.

Verb Infix -(으)시-

교장 선생님이 오신다.

Humble Verb 뵙다

교장 선생님을 뵈었습니다.

Noun + -직 (Position)

교장직

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Exemples par niveau

교장 선생님, 안녕하세요.

Hello, Principal.

Greeting with honorifics.

우리 학교 교장 선생님은 키가 커요.

Our school principal is tall.

Simple descriptive sentence.

교장 선생님은 어디에 계세요?

Where is the principal?

Honorific '계세요' used for location.

교장 선생님은 방에 있어요.

The principal is in the room.

A1 level simple structure.

교장 선생님이 웃어요.

The principal smiles.

Basic subject-verb.

저는 교장 선생님을 좋아해요.

I like the principal.

Direct object with '을'.

교장 선생님은 선생님이에요.

The principal is a teacher.

Identity sentence.

여기가 교장실이에요.

This is the principal's office.

Demonstrative '여기가'.

교장 선생님께서 조례 시간에 말씀하셨습니다.

The principal spoke during the morning assembly.

Use of '께서' and '-(으)셨습니다'.

내일 교장 선생님과 면담이 있어요.

I have an interview with the principal tomorrow.

Noun '면담' (interview).

교장 선생님은 학교의 대장이에요.

The principal is the boss of the school.

Metaphorical use of '대장'.

교장 선생님께 선물을 드렸어요.

I gave a gift to the principal.

Honorific '께' and '드리다'.

새로운 교장 선생님이 오셨어요.

A new principal has come.

Past tense honorific.

교장 선생님은 매일 아침 문 앞에서 인사하세요.

The principal greets people at the door every morning.

Habitual action.

교장 선생님의 성함이 무엇입니까?

What is the principal's name?

Honorific '성함' for name.

교장 선생님은 안경을 쓰셨어요.

The principal is wearing glasses.

Describing appearance.

교장 선생님은 학교 운영에 대해 설명해 주셨습니다.

The principal explained the school's operation.

Explain + helper verb '-어 주시다'.

그분은 30년 동안 교사로 일하다가 교장이 되셨습니다.

He became a principal after working as a teacher for 30 years.

Intermediate connector '-다가'.

교장 선생님의 훈화 말씀은 항상 길어요.

The principal's moral speech is always long.

Cultural term '훈화 말씀'.

학교 규칙은 교장 선생님의 승인이 필요합니다.

School rules require the principal's approval.

Noun '승인' (approval).

교장 선생님은 학생들의 건의 사항을 잘 들어주십니다.

The principal listens well to the students' suggestions.

Noun '건의 사항' (suggestions).

우리 아버지는 작년에 교장으로 은퇴하셨어요.

My father retired as a principal last year.

Retire as + '-(으)로'.

교장실은 행정실 바로 옆에 위치해 있습니다.

The principal's office is located right next to the administrative office.

Passive/State '위치해 있다'.

교장 선생님은 전교생에게 상장을 수여하셨습니다.

The principal awarded certificates to all the students.

Formal verb '수여하다' (to award).

교장 선생님은 지역 사회와의 협력을 강조하셨습니다.

The principal emphasized cooperation with the local community.

Emphasis '강조하다'.

새로 부임한 교장은 교육 과정의 혁신을 약속했다.

The newly appointed principal promised innovation in the curriculum.

Formal written style.

교장단 회의에서 새로운 안전 대책이 논의되었습니다.

New safety measures were discussed at the principals' association meeting.

Compound '교장단' (group of principals).

교장의 리더십에 따라 학교의 분위기가 달라집니다.

The atmosphere of the school changes depending on the principal's leadership.

Pattern '-에 따라' (depending on).

그는 교장직을 수행하면서 많은 어려움을 겪었다.

He experienced many difficulties while serving as principal.

Position '교장직' + '수행하다'.

교장은 학교 폭력 예방을 위해 최선을 다하고 있다.

The principal is doing their best to prevent school violence.

Purpose '-기 위해'.

학부모들은 교장 선생님께 교육 환경 개선을 요구했다.

Parents demanded an improvement in the educational environment from the principal.

Demand '요구하다'.

교장 선생님은 창의적인 인재 양성을 목표로 하십니다.

The principal aims to nurture creative talent.

Goal '목표로 하다'.

교장의 행정적 권한과 책임은 법률로 정해져 있다.

The administrative authority and responsibility of the principal are determined by law.

Legal/Formal terminology.

현대 교육에서 교장은 단순한 관리자를 넘어 교육적 리더가 되어야 한다.

In modern education, a principal must be an educational leader beyond a simple manager.

Structure 'A를 넘어 B가 되다'.

교장 공모제는 학교 운영의 민주성을 높이기 위해 도입되었다.

The open principal recruitment system was introduced to increase the democracy of school management.

Passive '도입되었다'.

그 교장은 권위주의적인 태도로 교사들과 갈등을 빚었다.

The principal had conflicts with teachers due to an authoritarian attitude.

Conflict '갈등을 빚다'.

교장 선생님의 교육 철학이 학교의 비전에 반영되어 있다.

The principal's educational philosophy is reflected in the school's vision.

Reflection '반영되어 있다'.

일부 사립 학교에서는 이사회가 교장 임용에 절대적인 영향력을 행사한다.

In some private schools, the board of directors exerts absolute influence over the appointment of the principal.

Exert influence '영향력을 행사하다'.

교장은 학교 구성원 간의 소통을 원활하게 하는 가교 역할을 해야 한다.

The principal should play a bridge role in facilitating communication among school members.

Bridge role '가교 역할'.

그분은 교장으로서의 소임을 다하고 명예롭게 퇴임하셨다.

He fulfilled his duty as principal and retired honorably.

Duty '소임'.

교장의 직무는 단순한 학내 관리를 넘어 국가 교육 정책의 현장 구현이라는 막중한 의미를 지닌다.

The duty of a principal carries the immense significance of implementing national education policies on the ground, beyond simple internal school management.

Academic structure '의미를 지닌다'.

급변하는 미래 사회에 대응하기 위해 교장의 변혁적 리더십이 그 어느 때보다 절실히 요구된다.

To respond to the rapidly changing future society, the transformational leadership of the principal is more urgently required than ever.

Urgency '절실히 요구된다'.

교장의 자율성 확대와 이에 따른 책무성 강화는 교육 개혁의 핵심 쟁점 중 하나이다.

Expanding the autonomy of principals and strengthening the resulting accountability is one of the key issues in educational reform.

Abstract nouns '자율성', '책무성'.

그 소설에서 교장은 낡은 관습과 체제를 수호하는 보수적인 인물로 상징화된다.

In that novel, the principal is symbolized as a conservative figure who protects old customs and systems.

Literary analysis '상징화된다'.

교장은 학교라는 공동체의 수장으로서 도덕적 해이를 경계하고 청렴한 문화를 조성해야 한다.

As the head of the school community, the principal must guard against moral hazard and create a culture of integrity.

Integrity '청렴'.

미래형 학교 모델에서 교장의 역할은 통제자에서 조력자 및 촉진자로 전이되고 있다.

In the future school model, the role of the principal is transitioning from a controller to a supporter and facilitator.

Transition '전이되고 있다'.

교장의 인사권 행사는 교사의 전문성 신장과 공정성 확보라는 두 가지 가치를 동시에 충족시켜야 한다.

The exercise of the principal's personnel rights must simultaneously satisfy the two values of enhancing teacher professionalism and ensuring fairness.

Personnel rights '인사권'.

단위 학교 책임 경영제의 정착을 위해서는 교장의 전문적 역량 강화가 선행되어야 한다.

To establish a school-based management system, the strengthening of the principal's professional capabilities must come first.

Precedence '선행되어야 한다'.

Collocations courantes

교장 선생님

교장실

교장으로 부임하다

교장 선생님 말씀

교장직

공모 교장

교장 연수

교장 자격증

교장 추천서

교장 취임식

Phrases Courantes

교장 선생님께 허락을 받다

— To get permission from the principal.

행사를 위해 교장 선생님께 허락을 받았다.

교장실에 불려가다

— To be called to the principal's office (usually for trouble).

철수는 사고를 쳐서 교장실에 불려갔다.

교장 선생님의 훈화

— The principal's moral speech.

교장 선생님의 훈화가 끝나고 교실로 돌아갔다.

교장 선생님 댁

— The principal's house (honorific).

스승의 날에 교장 선생님 댁을 방문했다.

교장 선생님 성함

— The principal's name (honorific).

교장 선생님 성함이 어떻게 되시죠?

교장 선생님의 철학

— The principal's (educational) philosophy.

우리 학교는 교장 선생님의 철학에 따라 운영된다.

교장 선생님 면담

— A meeting/interview with the principal.

학부모들이 교장 선생님 면담을 요청했다.

교장 선생님의 축사

— The principal's congratulatory speech.

졸업식에서 교장 선생님의 축사가 있었다.

교장 선생님의 격려

— The principal's encouragement.

선수들은 교장 선생님의 격려를 받고 경기에 나갔다.

교장 선생님의 부재

— The absence of the principal.

교장 선생님의 부재 중에는 교감이 대신한다.

Souvent confondu avec

교장 vs 교감

Vice-principal. Only one syllable difference.

교장 vs 총장

University president. Used for different school levels.

교장 vs 원장

Director of academies or kindergartens.

Expressions idiomatiques

"교장 선생님 말씀처럼 길다"

— To be as long as a principal's speech (very boring and long).

그 회의는 교장 선생님 말씀처럼 길었다.

Informal/Humorous

"교장실 문턱이 닳다"

— To visit the principal's office so often that the threshold is worn down (usually for trouble or constant requests).

그 학생은 사고를 많이 쳐서 교장실 문턱이 닳았다.

Idiomatic

"교장 선생님 훈화 같다"

— To sound like a principal's moral speech (preachy and boring).

네 잔소리는 꼭 교장 선생님 훈화 같아.

Informal

"교장 자리"

— The position of principal (often implies power or ambition).

그는 교장 자리를 노리고 있다.

Neutral

"교장 선생님의 도장"

— The principal's seal (symbolizing final approval).

이 서류에는 교장 선생님의 도장이 필요해.

Standard

"교장 선생님 얼굴 보기 힘들다"

— Hard to see the principal's face (meaning they are very busy or rarely come out).

요즘 교장 선생님 얼굴 보기 힘드네.

Informal

"교장 선생님이 무섭다"

— To find the principal scary (common sentiment among kids).

초등학생 때 나는 교장 선생님이 제일 무서웠다.

Child-friendly

"교장 선생님의 그림자"

— The principal's shadow (meaning someone who follows them or their influence).

그 교감은 교장 선생님의 그림자처럼 움직인다.

Literary

"교장실의 차 한 잔"

— A cup of tea in the principal's office (implies a serious or formal talk).

교장실의 차 한 잔은 항상 긴장된다.

Standard

"교장 선생님의 뒷모습"

— The principal's back (often used to describe them leaving or retiring).

퇴임하시는 교장 선생님의 뒷모습이 쓸쓸해 보였다.

Literary

Facile à confondre

교장 vs 교정

Similar pronunciation.

교정 means campus or proofreading, while 교장 is the principal.

교정이 아름답다 (The campus is beautiful) vs 교장 선생님이 아름답다 (The principal is beautiful).

교장 vs 교주

Starts with '교'.

교주 is a cult leader, 교장 is a school principal. Very important distinction!

그는 교주다 (He is a cult leader).

교장 vs 고장

Similar vowels.

고장 means broken/malfunction or a region.

시계가 고장 났다 (The clock is broken).

교장 vs 공장

Similar sound.

공장 is a factory.

공장에서 일해요 (I work at a factory).

교장 vs 사장

Both end in '장' (head).

사장 is a CEO/boss of a company, 교장 is for a school.

우리 사장님은 무서워요.

Structures de phrases

여기는 [N]이에요.

여기는 교장실이에요.

[N]께서 [V]-(으)십니다.

교장 선생님께서 웃으십니다.

[N]으로 은퇴하다.

교장으로 은퇴하셨어요.

[N]의 승인을 받다.

교장의 승인을 받았습니다.

[N] 역할을 수행하다.

교장 역할을 수행하고 있다.

[N]에 반영되다.

교장의 철학이 반영되었다.

[N]을 경계하다.

교장은 도덕적 해이를 경계해야 한다.

[N]을 조성하다.

교장은 청렴한 문화를 조성해야 한다.

Famille de mots

Noms

교장실 (Principal's office)

교장단 (Board of principals)

교장직 (Position of principal)

학교장 (Head of school)

Verbes

교장으로 부임하다 (To be appointed as principal)

교장직을 맡다 (To take the principal position)

Adjectifs

교장다운 (Principal-like)

교장다운 위엄 (Dignity like a principal)

Apparenté

교감 (Vice-principal)

교사 (Teacher)

학생 (Student)

학교 (School)

교육 (Education)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in educational and community contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Calling a university president '교장'. → 총장 (Chongjang)
University leaders have a higher title than school principals.
Saying '교장이 말했어' to a teacher. → 교장 선생님께서 말씀하셨어요.
Using plain form for a principal is very disrespectful.
Confusing '교장' with '교감'. → 교장 (Principal) / 교감 (Vice-principal)
Wait to hear the last syllable to be sure of the rank.
Using '교장' for a hagwon boss. → 원장 (Wonjang)
Private academies use 'director', not 'principal'.
Spelling it as '고장'. → 교장
'고장' means broken or a region.

Astuces

Honorifics Matter

Always use '께서' instead of '이/가' when the principal is the subject.

School Hierarchy

Learn 교사 (teacher) -> 교감 (vice-principal) -> 교장 (principal) together.

Soft 'G'

The first sound is a soft 'g', almost like a 'k'. Don't over-stress it.

Hanja Roots

Remembering 'Jang' means 'head' will help you learn other titles like 'Sajang' (CEO).

Meeting a Principal

If you meet one, a polite bow is the standard greeting.

Assembly Cues

Listen for '교장 선생님 말씀' during school-themed dramas.

Compound Words

You can add '실' (room) to '교장' to get '교장실'.

Drama Tropes

Principals in dramas are often either very kind or very corrupt—there is rarely a middle ground!

Don't say 'President'

In English, some schools use 'President', but in Korean, 'President' (대통령) is only for the country.

The 'Jang' Suffix

The 'Jang' in 'Gyojang' is the same 'Jang' in 'Captain' (선장) or 'Team Leader' (팀장).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gyo' (School) and 'Jang' (Head/Chief). A 'Gyo-Jang' is the 'School-Chief'.

Association visuelle

Imagine an older person standing at a podium in front of a school, wearing a nice suit and a pair of glasses.

Word Web

School Principal Leader Office Speech Education Hierarchy Respect

Défi

Try to say '교장 선생님' five times fast without tripping over the 'j' and 's' sounds.

Origine du mot

Borrowed from Middle Chinese '校長'. The word has been used in Korea for over a century to denote the leader of a modern educational institution.

Sens originel : Head of the school / Elder of the school.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).

Contexte culturel

Always use honorifics. Never refer to a principal by their first name.

Unlike in some Western schools where the principal might be very casual, a Korean 교장 is almost always formal.

The strict principal in the movie 'Silenced' (도가니). The wise principal in the drama 'School 2013'. The stereotypical long-winded principal in 'Crayon Shin-chan' (Korean dub).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School Assembly

교장 선생님 말씀
조례
단상에 오르다
박수를 치다

Discipline

교장실에 가다
꾸중을 듣다
반성문을 쓰다
면담

Graduation

졸업장 수여
축사
기념 사진
꽃다발

Official News

부임
퇴임
교육 정책
학교 운영

Job Search/Career

교장 자격
승진
경력
교육자

Amorces de conversation

"우리 학교 교장 선생님은 어떤 분이세요?"

"교장 선생님 말씀이 너무 길어서 힘들었던 적 있어요?"

"나중에 교장 선생님이 되고 싶으세요?"

"교장 선생님하고 직접 이야기해 본 적이 있나요?"

"교장 선생님이 학교에서 가장 중요하게 생각하시는 게 뭘까요?"

Sujets d'écriture

내가 만약 우리 학교의 교장이 된다면, 가장 먼저 바꾸고 싶은 규칙은 무엇인가요?

가장 기억에 남는 교장 선생님에 대해 써 보세요.

교장 선생님의 훈화 말씀 중에서 기억나는 내용이 있나요?

교장이라는 직업의 장점과 단점은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

교장 선생님과 면담을 해야 한다면 어떤 주제로 이야기하고 싶나요?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is better not to. In Korean, titles without '-님' or '-선생님' can sound rude. Always say '교장 선생님' or '교장님'.

교장 is for elementary, middle, and high schools. 총장 is for universities. They are not interchangeable.

Yes, '교장' can refer to both a male and female principal. If you need to specify, you can say '여자 교장 선생님'.

It is '교장실' (gyojang-sil).

They manage the school, lead the teachers, and represent the school to the public.

No, it usually requires decades of teaching experience and passing various evaluations.

It refers to the principal's speech, often used to describe something long and formal.

No, you should use '원장' (wonjang) for a hagwon director.

It is 校長 (School + Head).

Yes, the term is used in North Korea as well, though the cultural nuances of their role may differ.

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