Explanation at your level:
You use this word to say something is 'smart' or 'makes sense.' If you choose the best way to do something, it is 합리적. It is a very useful word for your daily life.
At this level, you can use it to describe prices or plans. For example, if a store has a good price, you can say it is 합리적. It helps you explain why you like a choice.
You can now use it to describe people's behavior. A 합리적인 사람 thinks before they act. It is a great way to show you understand logical thinking in Korean culture.
In B2, you use it to debate. You might say, "That is not a 합리적인 way to solve this problem." It helps you sound more mature and professional in discussions.
At the advanced level, you use it to analyze complex situations. You can discuss the 합리적 선택 이론 (Rational Choice Theory) or evaluate the logic behind political arguments with precision.
Mastery involves using the term to critique systems or philosophical frameworks. You can contrast 합리적 approaches with intuitive or emotional ones, showing deep cultural and linguistic nuance.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means rational or logical.
- Used for decisions and prices.
- Common in business and daily life.
- Opposite is 비합리적이다.
When we say something is 합리적이다, we are essentially saying it makes perfect sense. It is the opposite of being impulsive or emotional. Think of a time you had to solve a problem; if you weighed the pros and cons and picked the best path, you were being rational.
In daily life, this word is a gold standard for decision-making. Whether you are choosing a budget-friendly meal or planning a study schedule, if your logic holds up under scrutiny, it is considered 합리적. It is a very positive trait to have in both professional and personal settings.
The word 합리적이다 is a Sino-Korean construction. It combines 합 (合), meaning 'to join' or 'to fit,' and 리 (理), meaning 'reason' or 'principle.' Together, they form 합리 (合理), which literally means 'fitting the principle of reason.'
This term was adopted into Korean during the modernization period to translate Western concepts of 'rationalism' and 'reason.' It reflects a shift toward scientific and logical thinking in East Asian intellectual history. It is fascinating how a word derived from ancient characters perfectly captures the modern value of efficiency and logic.
You will hear this word everywhere! It is common in business meetings, academic discussions, and even casual arguments. If a friend suggests a plan that saves money and time, you can say, "그거 정말 합리적인 생각이야!" (That is a very rational idea!).
It is often paired with nouns like 가격 (price) to mean 'reasonable price' or 의심 (doubt) to mean 'reasonable doubt.' While it sounds slightly formal, it is used by everyone from students to CEOs to justify their choices.
While 합리적이다 itself is a descriptor, it appears in many logical expressions:
- 합리적 의심: Reasonable doubt; used in legal contexts.
- 합리적 선택: Rational choice; often used in economic discussions.
- 합리적 가격: Reasonable price; a common phrase for shopping.
- 합리적 판단: Rational judgment; making a decision based on facts.
- 합리적 사고: Rational thinking; the process of using logic.
As a descriptive adjective, it conjugates easily. Use 합리적인 to modify a noun (e.g., 합리적인 사람 - a rational person). The pronunciation requires careful attention to the 'ㄴ' sound; it is pronounced as [함니저기다] due to nasalization rules.
It is not a verb, so do not use it to describe an action directly. Instead, use it with the copula -이다. It is a standard, neutral adjective used in both spoken and written Korean.
Fun Fact
It is a modern adaptation of classical concepts.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ham-nee-juck-ee-dah'
Same as UK
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the nasal sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Dropping the final vowel
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective conjugation
합리적이다 -> 합리적인
Copula usage
이다
Nasalization
합리 [함니]
Examples by Level
그 생각은 합리적이에요.
That idea is rational.
Simple adjective usage.
그 가격은 합리적입니다.
합리적인 계획을 세우세요.
그는 합리적인 사람이에요.
이 방법이 더 합리적이에요.
합리적인 선택을 했습니다.
우리는 합리적인 대화를 원해요.
그것은 합리적인 이유입니다.
합리적인 결정을 내립시다.
합리적인 의심을 할 필요가 있어요.
그의 제안은 매우 합리적입니다.
비용이 합리적인지 확인하세요.
합리적인 사고방식이 중요합니다.
합리적인 해결책을 찾았습니다.
그는 항상 합리적으로 행동해요.
이것은 합리적인 결과입니다.
합리적인 기준을 정합시다.
감정보다 합리적인 판단이 우선입니다.
그의 주장은 합리적 근거가 부족해요.
합리적인 소비 습관을 기르세요.
이 정책은 합리적이지 않습니다.
합리적인 절차를 따르는 것이 좋습니다.
합리적인 타협점을 찾읍시다.
그는 합리적인 비판을 수용합니다.
합리적인 분석이 필요합니다.
합리적인 선택 이론에 따르면...
그의 행동은 합리적인 범위를 벗어났어요.
합리적인 논증을 제시해 주세요.
이 상황에서 가장 합리적인 대안은 무엇인가요?
합리적인 의구심을 갖는 것은 건강합니다.
합리적인 시스템 구축이 시급합니다.
그녀는 매우 합리적인 태도를 보였습니다.
합리적인 기대치를 설정하세요.
합리적인 이성을 바탕으로 한 철학.
그의 합리적인 접근 방식은 높이 평가받습니다.
합리적인 정당성을 확보하기 어렵습니다.
합리적인 경제 주체로서의 역할.
합리적인 담론의 장을 마련합시다.
그는 합리적인 회의주의자입니다.
합리적인 추론을 통해 결론에 도달했습니다.
합리적인 제도 개선이 요구됩니다.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"합리적 의심"
reasonable doubt
합리적 의심의 여지가 없습니다.
formal""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Both mean reasonable.
타당하다 is about validity.
그 주장이 타당하다.
Similar roots.
합당하다 is about suitability.
합당한 보상.
Both imply logic.
논리적 is about structure.
논리적인 글.
Both about reason.
이성적 is about emotion control.
이성적인 사람.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 은/는 + 합리적이다
그 계획은 합리적이다.
합리적인 + Noun
합리적인 선택을 했다.
합리적으로 + Verb
합리적으로 생각하세요.
합리적인 + Noun + 은/는 + Adjective
합리적인 가격은 매력적이다.
합리적 + (이)라고 + 생각하다
그것이 합리적이라고 생각한다.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
It is an adjective, not a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a balance scale.
Native Use
Use it to justify choices.
Insight
Values logic.
Shortcut
Use -인 for nouns.
Say It
Focus on the nasal sound.
Mistake
Don't treat as a verb.
Fact
Sino-Korean origin.
Hack
Pair with 'price'.
Context
Used in debates.
Adverb
Use -하게.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ham' (the food) being 'logic' (the principle).
Visual Association
A scale balancing logic.
Word Web
Défi
Use it 3 times today.
Origine du mot
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Fitting the principle
Contexte culturel
None.
Equates to 'rational' or 'reasonable'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business
- 합리적인 가격
- 합리적인 제안
- 합리적인 결정
Daily Life
- 합리적인 생각
- 합리적인 방법
- 합리적인 태도
Academic
- 합리적인 추론
- 합리적인 논증
- 합리적인 분석
Shopping
- 합리적인 소비
- 합리적인 가격대
- 합리적인 선택
Conversation Starters
"오늘 합리적인 선택을 했나요?"
"합리적인 사람이란 어떤 사람일까요?"
"왜 합리적인 사고가 중요할까요?"
"합리적인 가격이란 무엇일까요?"
"합리적이지 않은 결정을 한 적 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 내린 가장 합리적인 결정은?
합리적인 사람의 특징을 적어보세요.
비합리적인 행동을 합리적으로 바꾸려면?
합리적인 삶이란 무엇인가?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, usually.
Yes.
합리성.
It is neutral.
Yes.
No.
비합리적이다.
Very common.
Teste-toi
그 선택은 정말 ___.
It describes a good choice.
What does it mean?
It means rational/logical.
Is it a verb?
It is an adjective.
Word
Signification
Direct translation.
Subject-Adverb-Adjective.
Score : /5
Summary
합리적이다 means making smart, logical choices that make sense.
- Means rational or logical.
- Used for decisions and prices.
- Common in business and daily life.
- Opposite is 비합리적이다.
Memory Palace
Visualize a balance scale.
Native Use
Use it to justify choices.
Insight
Values logic.
Shortcut
Use -인 for nouns.
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