투명하다
Something that is clear enough to see through, like clean glass or water.
Explanation at your level:
You use 투명하다 when you can see through something. Think of a clean window. If you look at the window, you can see the garden outside. The window is 투명해요. It is a very useful word for describing things in your house or nature.
At this level, you can use it to describe materials. For example, 'This plastic bag is 투명해요.' You can also use it to talk about water. If the water in a bottle is very clean, you can say it is 투명한 water. It helps you describe the world around you clearly.
Intermediate learners use this word to describe more complex things. You might use it to talk about 투명한 유리 (transparent glass) or even abstract concepts. For example, you could say 'The rules of this game should be 투명해야 해요' (The rules must be transparent/fair). It adds a layer of maturity to your sentences.
In B2, you start using 투명하다 in professional contexts. It is common in news or business to talk about 투명한 거래 (transparent transactions). It shows you understand that the word isn't just for physical objects; it represents honesty and lack of corruption in systems and people.
Advanced users employ this word to discuss ethics and societal structures. You might write an essay about the importance of 투명성 (transparency) in government. You can contrast it with 불투명하다 (opaque/unclear) to create strong, argumentative points about moral clarity and institutional integrity in your writing.
At the mastery level, you appreciate the nuance of 투명하다 in literary and philosophical contexts. You might describe a person's intentions as 'transparent'—meaning they are so simple and honest that they are easy to read. It carries a sense of purity and lack of guile that is very sophisticated when used in descriptive prose or high-level debate.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means see-through or clear.
- Used for physical objects and abstract ethics.
- Essential for business and political vocabulary.
- Commonly used in daily life.
When you use the word 투명하다, you are talking about clarity. Imagine looking at a pristine mountain stream; the water is so clear that you can count the pebbles on the bottom. That is the essence of this word.
Beyond physical objects, we often use it to describe integrity. If a government or a business is 'transparent,' it means they are open about their processes and have nothing to hide. It is a very positive word in both science and ethics.
The word 투명하다 is a Sino-Korean word. It is derived from the Hanja characters 透 (투) meaning 'to penetrate' or 'pass through' and 明 (명) meaning 'bright' or 'clear'.
Historically, this combination was used to describe light passing through an object. Over centuries, the usage expanded from simple physical optics to the abstract concept of social and moral clarity. It is fascinating how a word that started with light physics now defines modern accountability in politics and business.
You will hear this word in daily life when talking about glass, plastic, or water. It is a neutral, descriptive term that is very common in both casual conversation and professional reports.
When used in a business context, it is a high-register word. You might hear phrases like 투명한 경영 (transparent management), which implies a company is being fair and honest with its shareholders. It is a powerful way to express trust.
While it is a standard adjective, it appears in several key phrases. 투명 인간 (invisible person) is a common way to refer to someone who feels ignored or unnoticed in a group.
Another common expression is 투명한 사회 (a transparent society), used in political discourse to advocate for less corruption. These idioms show how the word bridges the gap between the physical 'see-through' quality and the moral 'truthful' quality.
As an adjective, 투명하다 follows the standard Korean conjugation rules. You can change it to 투명한 (transparent [noun]) or 투명하게 (transparently [adverb]).
The pronunciation is straightforward, but ensure you emphasize the 'myeong' sound clearly. It rhymes with words like 명명하다 (to name) in terms of structure, though the meaning is entirely different. It is a regular adjective, so it does not have complex irregular conjugations.
Fun Fact
The character '透' is often used in words related to penetration or passing through.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'myeong' as 'meng'.
- Adding an extra vowel sound.
- Weakening the 'ha' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Requires context
Commonly used
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avancé
Grammar to Know
Adjective conjugation
투명하다 -> 투명해요
Noun modification
투명한 유리
Adverbial form
투명하게
Examples by Level
유리가 투명해요.
Glass is transparent.
Basic adjective sentence.
물이 투명해요.
The water is clear.
Describing nature.
이것은 투명한 비닐이에요.
This is a transparent plastic bag.
Noun modifier.
투명한 공을 보세요.
Look at the transparent ball.
Imperative.
창문이 투명해서 밖이 보여요.
The window is clear so I can see outside.
Reasoning.
투명한 얼음이 예뻐요.
The clear ice is pretty.
Adjective usage.
투명한 상자를 찾아요.
I am looking for a transparent box.
Verb usage.
투명한 색깔이에요.
It is a transparent color.
Describing color.
투명한 유리창을 닦았어요.
바닷물이 아주 투명해요.
투명한 파일에 서류를 넣으세요.
투명한 컵을 사용해요.
투명한 테이프가 필요해요.
투명한 피부를 가지고 싶어요.
투명한 액체는 물이에요.
투명한 느낌이 좋아요.
회사의 운영은 투명해야 합니다.
투명한 의사결정 과정이 중요해요.
그의 마음은 투명하게 다 보여요.
투명한 미래를 위해 노력합시다.
정부는 투명한 행정을 약속했어요.
투명한 재정 관리가 필요합니다.
투명한 비닐하우스 안은 따뜻해요.
투명한 얼음 조각을 만들었어요.
투명한 경영은 기업의 신뢰를 높입니다.
그의 투명한 태도가 마음에 들어요.
투명한 절차를 거쳐 선발되었습니다.
정치적 투명성이 보장되어야 합니다.
투명한 정보 공개를 요구했습니다.
투명한 유리 벽으로 분리된 사무실입니다.
투명한 물속을 들여다보았습니다.
투명한 진심이 느껴지는 편지였습니다.
그의 투명한 야심은 모두가 알고 있습니다.
투명한 사회를 만들기 위한 시민들의 노력.
투명한 논리로 설득력을 높였습니다.
투명한 수채화 물감처럼 맑은 느낌입니다.
투명한 하늘 아래서 산책을 즐겼습니다.
투명한 계약 조건을 제시했습니다.
투명한 인간관계가 가장 편안합니다.
투명한 유리 같은 마음을 가진 사람입니다.
투명한 영혼을 가진 예술가의 고뇌.
투명한 시적 언어로 표현된 그리움.
투명한 진실 앞에 모든 거짓은 사라집니다.
투명한 얼음의 결정처럼 아름다운 문장.
투명한 권력의 감시 체계가 구축되었습니다.
투명한 수면 위로 비친 달빛.
투명한 성찰을 통해 자신을 돌아봅니다.
투명한 명분으로 전쟁을 정당화했습니다.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"투명 인간"
Someone who is ignored or invisible.
그는 나를 투명 인간 취급했어요.
casual"투명한 정직"
Complete and obvious honesty.
그의 투명한 정직함에 감동했어요.
formal"투명하게 처리하다"
To handle something without secrets.
모든 일을 투명하게 처리했습니다.
business"투명한 눈빛"
A gaze that shows pure intentions.
그녀의 투명한 눈빛이 기억나요.
literary"투명한 벽"
An invisible barrier or social divide.
우리 사이에는 투명한 벽이 있어요.
metaphorical"투명한 원칙"
Clear and fair rules.
투명한 원칙이 필요합니다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean clear.
맑다 is for weather/water/eyes; 투명하다 is for physical transparency.
하늘이 맑다 vs 유리가 투명하다.
Both imply clarity.
깨끗하다 is about lack of dirt.
방이 깨끗하다.
Opposite of clear.
흐리다 is cloudy.
날씨가 흐리다.
Opposite of clear.
탁하다 is murky.
물이 탁하다.
Sentence Patterns
Noun + 이/가 투명하다
유리가 투명하다.
투명한 + Noun
투명한 컵을 주세요.
투명하게 + Verb
투명하게 처리하세요.
Subject + 은/는 투명하다
그의 의도는 투명하다.
투명성이 + Verb
투명성이 보장된다.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
투명하다 is for visibility, not just cleanliness.
Opposites are often mixed up.
투명하다 is about light passing through.
투명하다 is for physical objects or abstract ethics.
Adjectives don't take -해하다.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a glass house.
Business Context
Use it for 'fairness'.
Political Use
It implies anti-corruption.
Adjective Rule
It ends in -하다.
Clear Vowels
Pronounce every syllable.
Don't confuse with clean
Clear vs Clean.
Hanja roots
透 + 明.
Flashcards
Use images of glass.
Metaphorical use
Use for 'clear intentions'.
Rhythm
Practice the rhythm.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Transparent' window that is 'Too' (투) 'Bright' (명).
Visual Association
A clear glass window looking into a bright room.
Word Web
Défi
Try to describe 5 things in your room that are transparent.
Origine du mot
Sino-Korean (Hanja)
Original meaning: 透 (to pass through) + 明 (bright/clear)
Contexte culturel
None.
Directly maps to the concept of 'transparency' in business and politics.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- 창문이 투명해요
- 투명한 컵을 씻어요
- 투명한 봉투를 찾아요
At work
- 투명한 경영
- 투명한 절차
- 투명한 보고
In nature
- 투명한 물
- 투명한 하늘
- 투명한 얼음
In politics
- 투명한 사회
- 투명한 행정
- 투명성 확보
Conversation Starters
"What is the most transparent thing in your room?"
"Do you think our society is transparent enough?"
"Why is transparency important in business?"
"Can you describe a transparent material?"
"How do you feel when someone is transparent with you?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to be transparent.
Describe a clear stream you have seen.
Why is transparency a virtue?
How does transparency affect trust?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, to describe their honesty or intentions.
No, it is an adjective.
투명성.
Yes, when something lacks transparency.
It means you can see through it, not that it is gone.
Yes, if the air is very clear.
Yes, very common.
Yes, 맑다 is a close one.
Teste-toi
유리는 ___.
Glass is transparent.
Which word means 'transparent'?
투명하다 is the correct word.
투명하다 can be used for a dirty room.
It refers to clarity, not cleanliness from dirt.
Word
Signification
Matching antonyms.
The glass is very transparent.
Score : /5
Summary
투명하다 describes both physical clarity and moral honesty.
- Means see-through or clear.
- Used for physical objects and abstract ethics.
- Essential for business and political vocabulary.
- Commonly used in daily life.
Memory Palace
Visualize a glass house.
Business Context
Use it for 'fairness'.
Political Use
It implies anti-corruption.
Adjective Rule
It ends in -하다.
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