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A2 noun #3,000 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

선생

seonsaeng
At the A1 level, you learn '선생님' (Seonsaengnim) as one of your first words for 'teacher.' You might see '선생' in very simple textbooks to explain the root of the word. At this stage, you should focus on the fact that '선생' means teacher, but you should always add '님' (nim) to be safe and polite. You will use it to identify people's jobs: '이분은 선생님이에요' (This person is a teacher). You don't need to worry about the complex social nuances yet; just remember it refers to the person who teaches you Korean!
At the A2 level, you begin to see '선생' used in slightly more varied contexts. You might notice it in stories or simple dialogues where characters refer to a 'teacher' in the third person. You start to understand that '선생' is the base noun, and '님' is an honorific suffix. You might learn phrases like '선생님의 성함' (Teacher's name) and begin to distinguish between a school teacher and a 'Hagwon' (academy) teacher, though '선생님' is still used for both. You should practice using the word in simple sentences about school life.
At the B1 level, you should understand the social hierarchy involved with '선생.' You will learn that '선생' can be used as a title for professionals other than school teachers, such as doctors or famous artists. You'll start to hear it in dramas where a boss might call a subordinate '[Name] 선생' if they want to be respectful but maintain their senior status. You should also be able to distinguish '선생' from '교사' (the professional job title) and use them correctly in written versus spoken Korean.
At the B2 level, you are expected to navigate the nuances of '선생' in professional and formal settings. You understand that using '선생' without '-님' can sometimes imply a level of equality or even a slight 'downward' respect (from senior to junior). You can use the word in discussions about the education system or the social role of educators in Korea. You are also familiar with compound words and more formal expressions like '선생의 도리' (the duty of a teacher).
At the C1 level, you explore the historical and philosophical depth of '선생.' You understand its roots in Confucianism and how the concept of 'being born first' shapes Korean social interactions. You can analyze literature or news articles where '선생' is used as a title for national figures or intellectual leaders (e.g., '백범 김구 선생'). You understand the subtle shift in tone when a speaker chooses '선생' over '선생님' to convey a specific social distance or historical reverence.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '선생' across all registers, including archaic and highly specialized academic contexts. You can discuss the evolution of the term from the Joseon dynasty to the modern era. You understand how the word functions in various dialects and how its usage has changed with the Westernization of the Korean school system. You can use the term with precision in creative writing or high-level sociolinguistic analysis, capturing the exact shade of respect or formality intended.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

선생 en 30 secondes

  • Base word for 'teacher' in Korean.
  • Often used with the honorific suffix '-nim' as '선생님'.
  • Can be a title for doctors, writers, and other professionals.
  • Rooted in the concept of 'one who was born earlier' (experience).

The term 선생 (Seonsaeng) is a foundational noun in the Korean language, rooted deeply in Confucian values. At its most basic level, it translates to 'teacher,' but its semantic range is far broader than the English equivalent. Derived from the Hanja 先生, it literally means 'one who was born earlier.' This etymological root highlights the traditional Korean worldview where age and experience are synonymous with the capacity to guide others. In modern usage, while 선생님 (Seonsaengnim) is the standard polite form used to address a teacher or a respected professional, 선생 serves as the base noun and is often used as a title or a reference in specific social hierarchies.

Etymological Root
先 (선 - First) + 生 (생 - Born). This implies that seniority in life naturally leads to a role of mentorship.
Social Status
Historically, it was a title for scholars. Today, it is a versatile title for professionals, particularly in medicine and education.
Register
Neutral to formal. Without the suffix '-nim', it can sound slightly authoritative or old-fashioned depending on the context.

"박 선생, 이번 프로젝트는 어떻게 진행되고 있나?" (Mr. Park, how is the project progressing?)

— Common usage between senior and junior professionals.

"그는 참된 선생의 길을 걸어왔다." (He has walked the path of a true teacher.)

Usage in Literature
Often used to describe a mentor figure who provides moral guidance rather than just academic instruction.

Using 선생 correctly requires an understanding of Korean social hierarchy. While the word is defined as 'teacher,' its application varies significantly based on who is speaking to whom. In a professional setting, a senior manager might address a younger colleague as '[Surname] 선생' to show a level of respect that is higher than using just their name, but lower than the full honorific '-nim'. This is common in traditional fields like journalism, law, and medicine.

"김 선생, 이 환자 차트 좀 봐주게." (Mr. Kim, please take a look at this patient's chart.)

As a Suffix
Attached to surnames (e.g., 이 선생, 최 선생) to address professionals in a respectful yet non-subservient manner.
In Compound Words
Appears in words like '가정 선생' (tutor) or '선생질' (a derogatory way to refer to teaching).

When discussing the profession itself in a general sense, '선생' is used as the base noun. For example, '선생의 역할' (the role of a teacher). However, when you are a student talking about your own teacher, you must use '선생님'. The omission of '님' in a direct address or when speaking to a third party about your superior is a major social faux pas in Korea.

You will encounter 선생 in various specific environments. In a hospital, doctors are frequently addressed as '선생님', but in medical dramas or among doctors themselves, you might hear the shortened '선생'. In newsrooms or literary circles, older writers or journalists are often referred to as '선생' as a mark of their established career and wisdom.

"그 작가는 문단의 대선생으로 통한다." (That writer is known as a great master/teacher in the literary world.)

Another common place is in older generations' speech. Grandparents might refer to a young professional (like a bank clerk or a government official) as '선생' to be polite. It's also found in proverbs and idioms that discuss the nature of learning and teaching.

Legal/Official Settings
In courtrooms or formal debates, participants may address each other as '[Name] 선생' to maintain a level of formal decorum.

The most frequent mistake learners make is treating 선생 exactly like the English word 'teacher'. In English, you can say 'My teacher is nice.' In Korean, if you say '우리 선생은 착해요,' it sounds like you are looking down on your teacher or speaking very casually about them to someone else. You should almost always use '선생님' in this context.

Another mistake is confusing '선생' with '교사' (Gyosa). While both mean teacher, '교사' is a job title used in official documents (e.g., 'Occupation: Teacher'), whereas '선생' is a social title used in interaction.

Understanding the nuances between synonyms helps in choosing the right word for the right situation.

교사 (Gyosa)
The professional/legal term for a teacher, usually in K-12 education. Used in formal contexts or when describing one's occupation.
강사 (Gangsa)
A lecturer or instructor, often at a private academy (Hagwon) or university. It implies a focus on delivering a specific subject rather than general mentorship.
교수 (Gyosu)
A university professor. This carries the highest academic prestige.
스승 (Seuseung)
A much more poetic and deep word for 'master' or 'mentor'. It implies a life-long influence and deep respect.

"그분은 저의 영원한 스승이십니다." (He is my eternal mentor.)

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Informel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

선생님, 안녕하세요?

Teacher, hello?

Uses the polite honorific -님.

2

저분은 우리 선생님이에요.

That person is our teacher.

Identification sentence using -이에요.

3

선생님은 한국 사람입니다.

The teacher is Korean.

Formal ending -입니다.

4

선생님, 질문이 있어요.

Teacher, I have a question.

Common classroom phrase.

5

선생님이 책을 읽어요.

The teacher is reading a book.

Subject marker -이 used with honorific.

6

우리 선생님은 친절해요.

Our teacher is kind.

Adjective usage.

7

선생님, 감사합니다.

Teacher, thank you.

Expressing gratitude.

8

선생님은 어디에 계세요?

Where is the teacher?

Honorific form of 'to be' (계시다).

1

어제 새로운 선생을 만났어.

I met a new teacher yesterday (casual).

Third-person reference in casual speech.

2

그 선생은 영어를 잘 가르쳐요.

That teacher teaches English well.

Describing teaching ability.

3

선생의 이름이 뭐예요?

What is the teacher's name? (Slightly informal)

Possessive usage.

4

좋은 선생이 되고 싶어요.

I want to become a good teacher.

Future aspiration.

5

박 선생은 학교에 없어요.

Mr. Park is not at school.

Using surname + 선생.

6

선생과 학생이 대화해요.

The teacher and student are talking.

Using 'and' (과).

7

이 책은 선생을 위한 거예요.

This book is for the teacher.

Benefactive 'for'.

8

선생은 교실에 들어갔어요.

The teacher entered the classroom.

Past tense.

1

김 선생, 이 서류 좀 확인해 주게.

Mr. Kim, please check this document.

Professional address from senior to junior.

2

그는 훌륭한 선생으로 기억될 것이다.

He will be remembered as a great teacher.

Passive/Future nuance.

3

선생의 권위가 예전 같지 않다.

The authority of teachers is not what it used to be.

Social commentary.

4

그 의사 선생은 아주 유명해요.

That doctor is very famous.

Using '선생' for a doctor.

5

선생이라는 직업은 보람이 커요.

The profession of being a teacher is very rewarding.

Defining a profession.

6

이 선생은 우리 마을의 자랑입니다.

Mr. Lee is the pride of our village.

Honorific title in a community.

7

선생은 제자들을 진심으로 아꼈다.

The teacher truly cared for his students.

Literary description.

8

어떤 선생을 만나느냐가 중요하다.

It is important which teacher you meet.

Indirect question structure.

1

선생의 도리는 학생을 바른 길로 인도하는 것이다.

The duty of a teacher is to lead students to the right path.

Abstract noun usage.

2

그는 평생을 선생으로 살았다.

He lived his whole life as a teacher.

Life-long role.

3

박 선생, 자네 생각은 어떤가?

Mr. Park, what is your opinion? (using 'jane')

Senior-to-junior professional speech.

4

선생의 그림자가 밟히지 않게 조심해라.

Be careful not to step on the teacher's shadow (old proverb).

Traditional proverb about respect.

5

그는 문단의 대선생으로 추앙받는다.

He is revered as a great master of the literary world.

High-level vocabulary (추앙).

6

선생이라는 이름의 무게를 느낍니다.

I feel the weight of the name 'teacher'.

Metaphorical usage.

7

참된 선생은 지식뿐만 아니라 지혜를 가르친다.

A true teacher teaches not only knowledge but also wisdom.

Comparison (뿐만 아니라).

8

선생의 말 한마디가 아이의 인생을 바꾼다.

A single word from a teacher changes a child's life.

Impact and influence.

1

백범 김구 선생은 한국의 독립운동가이다.

Baekbeom Kim Gu was a Korean independence activist.

Historical title of respect.

2

선생의 고결한 인품에 감동했습니다.

I was moved by the teacher's noble character.

Formal/Academic vocabulary.

3

그는 시대의 선생으로서 목소리를 냈다.

He spoke out as a teacher/mentor of the era.

Social role as an intellectual.

4

선생의 가르침은 시공을 초월한다.

The teacher's teachings transcend time and space.

Philosophical expression.

5

우리는 그를 '선생'이라 부르며 따랐다.

We followed him, calling him 'Seonsaeng'.

Quotation and title usage.

6

선생의 문학 세계는 심오하고 방대하다.

The teacher's literary world is profound and vast.

Critical analysis.

7

그는 참된 선생의 표상으로 여겨진다.

He is considered the epitome of a true teacher.

Formal noun (표상).

8

선생의 유지를 받들어 학교를 세웠다.

Following the teacher's will, we established a school.

Honorific for a deceased person's will (유지).

1

선생(先生)이라는 호칭의 변천사를 고찰하다.

Investigating the history of the transition of the title 'Seonsaeng'.

Academic research terminology.

2

그의 삶은 선생으로서의 소명 의식으로 점철되어 있다.

His life is permeated with a sense of calling as a teacher.

Advanced metaphorical verb (점철되다).

3

선생의 부재는 우리 사회의 큰 손실이다.

The absence of such a teacher/mentor is a great loss to our society.

Formal mourning/obituary style.

4

유교적 맥락에서의 선생은 단순한 지식 전달자 그 이상이다.

In a Confucian context, a teacher is more than a mere transmitter of knowledge.

Sociolinguistic analysis.

5

그는 권위주의적인 선생의 틀을 깨뜨렸다.

He broke the mold of the authoritarian teacher.

Social change description.

6

선생의 필치는 날카로우면서도 따뜻했다.

The teacher's style of writing was sharp yet warm.

Artistic/Literary criticism.

7

우리는 선생의 함자를 함부로 부르지 않았다.

We did not dare to call the teacher's name carelessly.

Honorific for 'name' (함자).

8

선생의 사상은 후학들에게 지대한 영향을 미쳤다.

The teacher's thoughts had a profound influence on future scholars.

Academic impact description.

Collocations courantes

선생을 모시다
선생의 가르침
가정 선생
박 선생
훌륭한 선생
참된 선생
선생의 길
선생 노릇
선생님 말씀
선생 대접

Phrases Courantes

선생님, 질문 있어요

선생님, 안녕하세요

우리 선생님

담임 선생님

교장 선생님

김 선생

의사 선생님

선생님 댁

선생님 덕분에

선생님 성함

Souvent confondu avec

선생 vs 교사 (Job title)

선생 vs 강사 (Instructor)

선생 vs 교수 (Professor)

Expressions idiomatiques

""

""

""

""

""

Facile à confondre

선생 vs

선생 vs

선생 vs

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

Doctors

Address them as '선생님'.

Third Person

Can use '선생' in specific contexts.

Direct Address

Always use '선생님'.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using '선생' without '-님' to your teacher.
  • Confusing '선생' with '교수' (Professor).
  • Calling a younger person '선생' unless they are a professional.
  • Using '선생' as a job title in a resume (use '교사').
  • Forgetting to use honorific verbs with '선생님'.

Astuces

Teachers' Day

Koreans celebrate teachers on May 15th with gifts and letters.

Hanja Root

Knowing 'Seon' (First) helps you learn words like 'Seon-bae' (Senior).

Addressing Strangers

Using '선생님' for an older stranger is a safe way to be polite.

Honorifics

Always use honorific verb forms when the subject is a '선생님'.

Drama Context

Notice how characters use '선생' to show different levels of intimacy.

Formal Letters

Start letters to teachers with '존경하는 선생님께' (To my respected teacher).

Clear Vowels

Make sure to distinguish 'Seon' from 'Son' (hand).

Compound Words

Learn '가정 선생' (tutor) to expand your vocabulary.

Bowing

A 15-30 degree bow is appropriate when greeting a teacher.

Professionalism

In a company, use '선생님' for people in specialized roles like researchers.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Contexte culturel

Doctors are always called 'Seonsaengnim'.

Bowing to teachers is standard.

May 15th is a national celebration.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"선생님이 되기로 결심한 이유가 뭐예요?"

"가장 기억에 남는 선생님은 누구예요?"

"선생님이라는 직업에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"한국에서는 왜 선생님을 존경하나요?"

"좋은 선생의 조건은 무엇일까요?"

Sujets d'écriture

나의 인생에서 가장 큰 영향을 준 선생에 대해 써보세요.

내가 만약 선생이 된다면 무엇을 가르치고 싶나요?

선생님과 학생의 관계는 어떠해야 한다고 생각하나요?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is for teachers or professionals. It would be weird and sarcastic.

It is a sign of respect for their professional expertise and education.

It is gender-neutral in Korean.

Yes, but '선생님' is much more common and polite.

'교사' is the job title; '선생' is the social title.

Use '교수님' (Gyosunim).

Yes, but '동지' (comrade) was historically more common in political contexts.

Yes, it is a polite way to address an older male stranger.

It is a derogatory way to refer to the act of teaching.

Only if you add '-님' or if you are the person's superior.

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